THE deputy commissioner of Staffordshire has been fined after driving an untaxed car for three months.
Dave Evans also used his Jaguar without a valid MOT for 19 days, but says he only became aware of both issues when he was contacted about them in February.
He has now received and paid a non-endorsable fixed penalty fine after the matter was referred to Staffordshire Police by the commissioner’s office.
Mr Evans intends to step down as chair of the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership to avoid “unnecessary distractions” from its work.
A report on the affair has now been produced for Staffordshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel. Written by commissioner’s office chief executive Louise Clayton, it says that Mr Evans bought the Jaguar as his own personal vehicle in March 2025.
At the time it had a valid MOT and Mr Evans arranged to pay the vehicle tax by Direct Debit – but the payments were stopped in November after Mr Evans switched bank accounts and he was contacted by the DVLA.
The deputy commissioner tried to make a payment through the DVLA website, but the transaction could not be progressed as the system indicated the car was already taxed. He also wrongly assumed that the car’s MOT was for a full 12 months from the date of purchase, when it actually expired on 29th January.
Mr Evans booked an MOT and arranged for the tax to be paid following media coverage on 16th February. He also lodged a complaint with the DVLA over the issue with the website in November.
The DVLA responded, saying that his vehicle would still appear as taxed because he had the option of paying the outstanding balance. Members of the panel will consider the report when they meet on 13th April.
The report states:
“It is evident that Dave Evans had unknowingly been driving a vehicle without road tax and a valid MOT for 19 days.
“The DVLA confirmed the vehicle would have shown as taxed on their website and DVLA checker when Mr Evans checked on its tax status in November 2025.
“Mr Evans mistakenly believed the vehicle’s MOT was valid for 12 months from the date of purchase until March 2026. He took immediate steps to rectify the situation regarding MOT and road tax as soon as he was made aware of the issue.”
According to the report, Staffordshire Police assessed the information by applying “the same considerations that would be used for any member of the public”.
The force also considered the public interest test which requires public officials to be held to a “higher standard of accountability”.
The report states:
“Staffordshire Police assessed the information available and confirmed that they undertook a proportionate review in line with standard practice.
“The assessment focussed on the circumstances presented, the applicable legal framework, and the evidential position.
“This was completed using the same impartial approach they apply to all cases brought to their attention.”
The report concludes by saying Mr Evans paid the fine and that “the matter is settled”. Mr Evans declined to comment ahead of the panel meeting.
