DVLA scraps plans for motorcycle spy chips

Fitting all motorcycles with electronic tags would not be cost effective, DVLA has concluded.

• DVLA lose hundreds of motorcycle licences

MCN revealed last year that the agency was researching the viability of electronically tagging motorcycle number plates to help tackle road tax evasion.

The tags, called remote frequency identification (RFID) chips, would have allowed police to remotely identify bikes using handheld readers or roadside beacons.

But the DVLA concluded the measure would cost over £100 million while only £27 million could be made from 100% motorcycle road tax compliance.

A DVLA report published today states: “RFID for this specific purpose alone would not add sufficient value to justify implementation at this stage.”

The report says the “favoured option” is to “pursue alternative methods of tackling evasion” including impounding untaxed bikes and using automatic number plate recognition cameras to detect offenders.