Nicola Sturgeon has been spotted being driven around Edinburgh by her husband in an untaxed car.
The former first minister was seen with Peter Murrell in their black Peugeot at Craigleith Retail Park in the capital.
The car’s tax was eight days late, having run out on August 1.
A spokesperson for Sturgeon said the issue was down to a “simple mistake” and was rectified “immediately” after it was pointed out.
There is no charge for electric cars in the UK but the law still requires them to be taxed.
The UK Government website states: “You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay.”
It says a late licensing penalty letter should be issued automatically.
Such an offence is punishable with an £80 fine, reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days.
A spokesperson for Sturgeon said: “No tax is paid on the car as it is electric and so no money has ever been outstanding.
“A reminder notice from the DVLA was not received to re-register the vehicle for tax so this eight-day delay was a simple mistake which has been immediately rectified.”
In 2016, then-transport secretary Humza Yousaf was found driving a friend’s car without the proper insurance.
And last week, SNP MSP Keith Brown forgot to pay his car tax, calling it an “honest mistake”.
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