Kildare motorists being penalised for not paying motor tax upfront – Cllr

Kildare North Labour councillor, Angela Feeney has called on the Minister for Transport to scrap what she termed the “unfair” penalty imposed on motorists who pay their motor tax in instalments.

According to Cllr Feeney, motorists in Kildare are being penalised for not being able to pay their motor tax in one lump sum.

She said there is currently an “unjust” system whereby drivers who choose to pay their motor tax quarterly or half-yearly are being charged more than those who can afford to pay for the full year upfront.

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Many working people in Kildare are under huge financial pressure due to the cost of living, she pointed out.

Cllr Feeney said: “Over €106 million has been paid in additional costs by motorists across the country because of this outdated system. Countless people are being hit with higher bills just for needing flexibility.

“There’s no justification for this kind of penalty anymore. In a digital age, administration costs are minimal and most of the process is automated.

“The Minister needs to stop punishing people for using instalment options and commit to abolishing this charge in Budget 2026.

“Labour is calling for a full review of similar charges right across the public sector. We need to move with the times and build a fairer system that works for everyone – not just those who can afford to pay all at once.”