Fake DVLA Toll-Charge or Penalty Notice Scam
Scammers send texts and emails impersonating the DVLA, claiming the recipient's vehicle was captured on a toll road or in a congestion zone without paying, and demanding an immediate penalty fee via a link. The DVLA does not administer toll roads or congestion charges — those are managed by separate authorities.
Part of: Fake Toll Violation Scams
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
Confusion about which government agency manages driving-related penalties makes DVLA impersonation in toll and congestion-charge scams particularly effective. Many UK drivers receive genuine penalty charge notices (PCNs) from local authorities or Highways England for toll or clean-air zone infractions, so a DVLA-branded message claiming a vehicle infraction is plausible on its surface.
The important distinction: the DVLA manages driving licences and vehicle registration records — it does not issue toll charges, congestion charge penalties, or PCNs. Those are issued by TfL (Transport for London), Highways England, local authorities, and toll road operators. Any DVLA-branded message about a toll or congestion charge is fraudulent by definition.
This scam often targets drivers who have recently travelled through London's Congestion Charge zone or a regional clean-air zone, making the timing feel coincidental and convincing.
How this scam works on the DVLA brand
Texts claim: 'DVLA: Your vehicle [registration] was recorded in the London Congestion Charge Zone without a valid payment. A penalty charge of £XX is outstanding. Pay within 14 days to avoid escalation: [link].' The link leads to a DVLA-branded phishing page collecting card details.
Email variants are more elaborate, mimicking the format of genuine PCNs with a vehicle image placeholder, registration details, and an apparent fine reference number. None of this information comes from the real DVLA.
Real congestion charge and toll violations are managed by the relevant authority (TfL, National Highways, local councils) through their own correspondence — not through the DVLA. TfL Congestion Charge PCNs are sent to the registered keeper's address on file with the DVLA, but the PCN itself comes from TfL, not the DVLA.
Common red flags
- Message claims to be from DVLA about a toll charge or congestion penalty — DVLA does not issue these
- Link leads to a non-gov.uk domain
- Fine reference number cannot be verified with the actual toll or congestion authority
- Email address is not from a recognised authority domain
- Urgency: 'fine doubles if not paid within 14 days'
- Page requests full card payment details
- No corresponding physical PCN arrived at your registered address
How to protect yourself
- If you believe you have a genuine congestion or toll penalty, contact the issuing authority directly (TfL, National Highways, or relevant local council) using numbers from their official websites
- Never pay a penalty via a link in an unsolicited DVLA-branded message
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726
- Report phishing emails to the NCSC at report.ncsc.gov.uk
- Contact the DVLA fraud team at [email protected] if your vehicle details were misused
How to report it
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726
- Report phishing emails to the NCSC at report.ncsc.gov.uk
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040
- Alert the DVLA at [email protected]
- If payment was made, contact your bank immediately
Frequently asked questions
Does the DVLA issue congestion charge or toll penalties?
No. The DVLA manages driving licences and vehicle registration. Congestion charge penalties are issued by TfL, and toll violations are issued by the relevant toll operator or National Highways — not the DVLA.
How do real congestion or toll penalty notices arrive?
Genuine penalty charge notices are sent by post to the registered keeper's address as held by the DVLA. TfL and other authorities do not send payment-link texts under DVLA branding.
How do I check if I genuinely owe a congestion charge?
Check your TfL account at tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge or contact the relevant toll operator directly. Verify any alleged fine reference number through official channels only.