Internet car tax renewal ready by March

From next month, motorists will be able to renew their car tax over the Internet, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, has announced.

Currently, motor tax must be renewed either in person at the motor tax office or by post. Mr Cullen said the economic success of recent years, complemented by a growing and highly computer-literate population made the system "very appropriate for Ireland. The volume of business associated with motor tax is substantial.

"It is expected that over €720 million will be collected in tax this year, involving well over three million individual applications."

There are now 1.9 million vehicles on Irish roads being driven by 2.2 million licensed drivers.

The new system is being introduced following successful pilot projects in Clare, Galway and North Tipperary. Started last November, the method has attracted 9 per cent of motor-tax renewal business in these areas.

To use the service, one needs a credit or laser card and a unique PIN number sent with the motor tax reminder notice.

Once the transaction has been completed, the new disc will be sent to the motorist by the Vehicle Registration Unit in Shannon in the following day's post.