Is my car taxed? – Check if your car is taxed UK
In the UK, all vehicles that are used on public roads must be properly taxed. This is a legal requirement, and failure to pay the appropriate vehicle tax can result in penalties and fines. In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about car tax in the UK, including how to check if your car is taxed, how to pay for car tax, and what to do if your car is not taxed.

What vehicle tax is
First of all, it’s important to understand what vehicle tax is and why it’s necessary. Vehicle tax, also known as road tax or car tax, is a tax that is paid to the UK government in order to use a vehicle on public roads. The money collected from vehicle tax is used to maintain and improve the country’s roads and transportation infrastructure.
In the UK, vehicle tax is based on a number of factors, including the age and type of vehicle, the vehicle’s fuel type, and its CO2 emissions. Some vehicles, such as electric cars and those used by disabled drivers, may be eligible for reduced or zero-rated vehicle tax.
Check if your car is taxed
So, how do you know if your car is taxed? In the UK, there are a few different ways to check if your car is taxed:
- Check the tax disc on your vehicle. All vehicles that are taxed in the UK are required to display a valid tax disc on the front windscreen. The tax disc will show the vehicle’s tax class, the dates for which the vehicle is taxed, and the tax rate. If you can’t see a tax disc on your vehicle, or if the disc is out of date, then your car may not be taxed.
- Check the DVLA’s online vehicle enquiry service. The UK government’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offers an online vehicle enquiry service that allows you to check the tax status of any vehicle in the UK. To use the service, you’ll need the vehicle’s registration number and the last eight digits of its V5C document (also known as the logbook).
- Check the tax status of a vehicle by phone. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can also check the tax status of a vehicle by calling the DVLA’s vehicle enquiry line. The number to call is 0300 790 6802, and you’ll need the vehicle’s registration number and the last eight digits of its V5C document to use the service.
My car is not taxed, what should I do?
If you find that your car is not taxed, you’ll need to take action to pay for vehicle tax as soon as possible. You can do this online, by phone, or in person at a post office.
To pay for car tax online, follow these steps:
- Go to the DVLA’s website and click on the “Pay vehicle tax” link.
- Enter the vehicle’s registration number and the last eight digits of its V5C document.
- Select the type of tax that you want to pay for (either six months or 12 months), and choose whether you want to pay by debit or credit card.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your payment.
If you prefer, you can also pay for car tax by phone. To do this, call the DVLA’s vehicle tax line on 0300 123 4321 and follow the instructions to make your payment.
Alternatively, you can pay for car tax in person at a post office. To do this, take the vehicle’s V5C document (logbook) and a form of payment (such as cash or a debit card) to your nearest post office, and tell the staff that you want to pay for vehicle tax.
How much does the vehicle tax cost? Vehicle tax fees
First of all, it’s important to understand the different fees and rates for vehicle tax in the UK. Vehicle tax is based on a number of factors, including the age and type of vehicle, the vehicle’s fuel type, and its CO2 emissions. The table below shows the current rates for vehicle tax, based on the type of vehicle and its CO2 emissions:
Vehicle type | CO2 emissions | Annual rate |
---|---|---|
Standard rate cars | 0g/km | £0 |
Standard rate cars | 1-50g/km | £10 |
Standard rate cars | 51-75g/km | £25 |
Standard rate cars | 76-90g/km | £100 |
Standard rate cars | 91-100g/km | £120 |
Standard rate cars | 101-110g/km | £140 |
Standard rate cars | 111-130g/km | £160 |
Standard rate cars | 131-150g/km | £200 |
Standard rate cars | 151-170g/km | £500 |
Standard rate cars | 171-190g/km | £800 |
Standard rate cars | 191-225g/km | £1,200 |
Standard rate cars | 226-255g/km | £1,700 |
Standard rate cars | Over 255g/km | £2,000 |
Some vehicles, such as electric cars and those used by disabled drivers, may be eligible for reduced or zero-rated vehicle tax. You can find more information about the fees and rates for different types of vehicles on the UK government’s website.
Once you know how much you need to pay for vehicle tax, you’ll need to figure out how to pay it.
How to Register your vehicle as off the road (SORN)
In the UK, you can register your vehicle as off the road (SORN) by contacting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and declaring that the vehicle will not be used on public roads. You can do this online on the DVLA website, by phone, or by post.
To register your vehicle as SORN online, you will need the vehicle’s registration number and the 11-digit reference number from your vehicle’s log book (also known as the V5C form). You will also need to provide your name, address, and the date you want the SORN to start.
Once you have provided this information and confirmed that you understand your responsibilities as the owner of a SORN vehicle, the DVLA will register your vehicle as off the road and issue a confirmation of your SORN. You will not need to renew your SORN as long as your vehicle remains off the road and you do not use it on public roads.
It is important to note that if you do not register your vehicle as SORN and it is found to be on a public road, you may be liable for fines and other penalties. Additionally, if you sell or transfer ownership of a SORN vehicle, you must inform the DVLA and cancel the SORN.

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