Drivers could be fined £100 for making phone call after their car has broken down

Motorists are being cautioned that they could face a GBP100 fine if they use their phone to call for help after their vehicle breaks down. This warning comes following an incident where an elderly driver was advised to seek assistance online when his car broke down. The RAC, a vehicle assistance organisation, has shifted towards online reporting of motoring incidents to reduce phone wait times.

An 85 year old man experienced this new approach first hand when he lost a wheel from his car and couldn’t reach the RAC by phone. After a 15-minute wait and an automated message directing him to the website, he had to walk home to request help online. The Daily Record quotes the frustrated driver: “If you’re sitting in a car with traffic going past at 90 miles an hour on a motorway, that’s not the sort of response you want.”

He further expressed his dismay, saying: “One of [the call handlers] actually just told me to go online and cut me off. If they don’t answer their phone and I’m stuck on a motorway, how on earth do I get in touch with them? And I think that is the big problem facing not only me, but a hell of a lot of other drivers.

You know, we don’t all have smartphones.” A motorist has spoken of his frustration after being left stranded by the roadside and unable to get help from the RAC. He said: “I tried to ring them, and I think I was on the phone for 15 or 20 minutes [with] no response, and then the phone line kept coming back to say ‘the easiest way to get in touch with us is online’.

So I waited, and then I eventually went online.”, reports the Mirror[3]. The driver was forced to pay GBP100 to have his car towed. An RAC spokesperson said: “We’re sorry Mr Rayner thought the only way to log his breakdown was online.

This isn’t the case we offer members the choice to call or go online. In fact, over half of all breakdowns are reported to us by phone.” Meanwhile, drivers are being warned that they could face a GBP600 charge due to changes in vehicle tax next year.

According to tax experts at Tax Natives, the DVLA is introducing changes to the way electric vehicles are taxed from April 1, 2025, which will see all electric vehicles priced over GBP40,000 incur a new surcharge. Tax expert Andy Wood said this will “fundamentally alter the current tax structure”. At present, numerous electric vehicles (EVs) enjoy a zero-rated Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), also referred to as car tax, designed to promote environmentally friendly transport.

However, with the increase in car prices, a significant number of these models are now subject to the “luxury tax”, applicable to vehicles priced over GBP40,000.

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References

1. ^ Ryanair charge man GBP75 because ‘wheel on his suitcase is stiff’ (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ HS2 unveils test designs as it aims to create UK’s ‘most comfortable’ train seat (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^ the Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ sign up to our newsletter (www.walesonline.co.uk)