Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2019
537. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position in relation to changes to the motor tax renewal online system and the advance notification provided to motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7903/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are arrangements in place whereby my Department, through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) system, reminds motorists that motor tax is due through the issue of a motor tax reminder notice, some 3-4 weeks before the due date. These notices are generated automatically and some 400,000 issue at the end of each month through a combination of electronic and paper based notices. This is an administrative process and the legal obligations place the onus on the registered owner to have their motor tax affairs in order if a vehicle is used on the public roads. The online motor tax site www.motortax.ie assists this through the facility to download the motor tax renewal form or a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to enable a vehicle to be taxed online.
It is important to note that only customers who elect for electronic reminders receive them and those customers who wish to remain with the paper based system may do so. The process of ‘signing up’ owners who wish to avail of electronic reminders is achieved as part of the completion of an online motor tax application – at stage two of the process the customer enters their email address, and the system displays a message as to what this entails. Customers who have signed up for the electronic service also have the facility to ‘opt out’ at any stage, or indeed, when processing their subsequent tax renewal. Those who have not selected this option, or those who have taxed their vehicle at the local Motor Tax Office, continue to receive their motor tax renewal notice by post.
