An 83-year-old widow from Reading, Berkshire, has been ordered by a court to pay over £240 in unpaid vehicle tax related to her late husband’s car. The woman, who is partially blind and housebound, was prosecuted by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for failing to tax the Volkswagen Touran following her husband’s death.

According to court proceedings at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, the car was registered in the widow’s name after her husband passed away. The vehicle was placed under a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) by her daughter’s partner, which meant no tax was required while the car was not in use.

Despite the SORN, the car was observed on the road during an evaluation or repair, prompting the DVLA to pursue legal action for unpaid tax. The widow told the court she was unaware of the applicable regulations, explaining that her late husband had always managed the vehicle’s paperwork and financial matters.

She pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay £242.92 in unpaid vehicle tax with a deadline set for mid-September. The case highlights the potential challenges faced by elderly and vulnerable individuals in managing administrative responsibilities after the death of a spouse.