The police are warning motorists their vehicles must be taxed and registered on the island.

Officers this morning seized a vehicle after it was discovered its road tax was seven months out of date and had not been registered in the Isle of Man.

All imported vehicles intended for use on the Isle of Man roads by residents or businesses must be registered and licensed as soon as they are brought to the Isle of Man.

If a vehicle is over three years old a road worthiness test must be undertaken at the vehicle test centre which has now opened after being closed for a period due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A police spokesman said: ’If the vehicle to be imported is less than 3 years old a road worthiness test is not required and the vehicle can be registered as soon as it is imported. This can be done through Isle of Man Post Office Licensing.

’Put simply if you are an island resident and you have purchased a UK registered vehicle, it is your responsibility to ensure it is registered on the island as soon as you bring it here.

’If any drivers fail to do this they are using the vehicle on Manx roads without a vehicle licence which will be dealt with accordingly. In some cases vehicles may be seized.’

The police also offered advice for any university students who may have UK registered cars and brought them to the island during the current pandemic

Officers said that if the car is due to be returned to the UK, it is not classed as an imported car and does not need to be registered in the island.