Thousands of drivers from across the UK have been unable to renew their vehicle excise duty electronically because the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website received too many hits.

The old paper tax disc system was scrapped on October 1, replaced by an electronic system which involves vehicle owners buying their VED online. A numberplate recognition system will catch those who do not pay, authorities claim.

But on the first day of the introduction of the new system, many motorists were unable to buy their tax, with some spending up to 13 hours online, according to a BBC report.

The failure of the system has infuriated many who wish to tax and use their vehicle in order to drive to work or carry out errands.

Mike Dewsbury told the BBC: "It's a joke. I need to get to work but legally can't because my car isn't now taxed."

An additional 30,000 people had visited the website on October 1 compared to the same day last year, according to the DVLA.

The authority apologised for the system failure urging those wishing to buy tax to visit a Post Office in order to carry out the transaction.

The new system has been criticised by some as benefitting the government's coffers at the expense of motorists. Those selling a car will no longer get a refund on any unused tax, meaning they will in effect be 'double taxed' for a period. Equally, buyers may lose out if they buy a car mid-month, because they are required to buy tax in blocks of whole months.

Are you one of startrescue.co.uk's annual or personal breakdown cover customers affected by DVLA website problems? If so, please tell us your story in the comments section.