Calls for deputy commissioner to resign after car left untaxed

Staffordshire’s deputy police, fire and crime commissioner has faced calls to step down after it emerged his car was untaxed for three months.

According to a report published by BBC News on Thursday 26 February 2026, a check of the government’s online vehicle database at the start of February showed the blue Jaguar driven by Conservative Dave Evans was untaxed and without a valid MOT.

The BBC reported that vehicle tax had been due since 1 November 2025 and the MOT certificate had expired on 29 January 2026.

Role and response

Dave Evans, who chairs the Staffordshire Road Safety Partnership and also represents Baddeley, Milton and Norton on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, told the BBC the issue was down to an error with the DVLA’s system.

He said the DVLA wrote to him in November about renewing his road tax.

“I checked their website but due to an error with their systems, the tax was showing as valid at the time,” he told the BBC.

“I have since learned that this was an error and I have raised this matter with the DVLA.”

On the expired MOT, he said he bought the car in March and “wrongly assumed” it had been tested at the point of purchase.

He described the situation as an “honest mistake” and said he had the car taxed and obtained a valid MOT as soon as he was made aware.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency told the BBC that its vehicle enquiry service was operating normally and that the information displayed was “accurate and up-to-date”.

Political reaction

Councillor Martin Murray, acting leader of Reform-controlled Staffordshire County Council, told BBC Midlands Today that Evans should resign from his position in the commissioner’s office.

“When you hold such high office, such responsibility and when you chair the Safer Roads Partnership, you’re setting a standard that all of us should follow,” he said.

“That standard should never slip under any circumstance. For you to have a vehicle which goes against everything you’re standing [for] and implementing laws upon, it makes your position untenable.”

Earlier this year, Evans had spoken in support of a motion to tighten road safety laws at a meeting of Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

“I think it’s incumbent on all of us to try and drive to make the road safer,” he said at the time.

“I think it’s important that we also remember as individuals that we have a responsibility when we get behind the wheel of a car.”