How to tax a car
Vehicle Excise Duty - road tax - must be in place for any vehicle used or kept on a public road unless it is declared SORN. You can tax your car online at gov.uk using the V5C reference number or, if you have just bought the car, the new keeper supplement. The DVLA checks your MOT and insurance status automatically. Here is how the process works, what you need, and what the rates are based on.
Do everything even faster in our app.
What do you need to tax a car?
To tax a vehicle online or at a Post Office you need one of the following reference numbers:
- The 11-digit reference number printed on your V5C (the vehicle logbook)
- The 12-digit reference number from your V5C/2 (the new keeper supplement), if you bought the car recently
You do not need to present your MOT certificate or insurance documents separately. The DVLA checks your MOT status automatically via DVSA records and your insurance via the Motor Insurance Database (MID). If your insurance policy is not yet showing on the MID - which can take a short time after a new policy is issued - the DVLA system may decline the application until it appears. This is particularly relevant with new or temporary policies; waiting a short period and retrying usually resolves it.
The V5C is the key document for taxing a newly purchased car - our guide to the V5C logbook explains what it contains and what to do when the registered keeper details need updating.
How to tax online
The DVLA's vehicle tax service at gov.uk is available 24 hours a day and is the quickest route. You need your V5C or new keeper supplement reference number, the vehicle registration, and a payment card. You can pay annually or set up a monthly direct debit, which carries a 5% surcharge but spreads the cost through the year.
Once taxed, the vehicle appears as taxed in the DVLA database immediately. There is no paper tax disc - these were abolished in 2014. You can confirm any vehicle's current tax and MOT status at any time using the free DVLA vehicle enquiry service at gov.uk.
Taxing a car you have just bought
Road tax does not transfer between owners. When you buy a car, the previous keeper receives a refund for any remaining full months of their tax, and you must tax the vehicle yourself before driving it on a public road.
If buying privately, use the green new keeper supplement (V5C/2) the seller gives you - this contains the 12-digit reference for taxing immediately at gov.uk. Do not rely on the seller's existing tax; it is cancelled the moment ownership transfers.
If buying from a dealer, the dealer typically handles the tax at point of sale. Confirm this before driving away.
If you need to drive the car while you arrange a full annual policy, one day car insurance provides 24 hours of comprehensive cover for exactly that situation.
How much does road tax cost?
Road tax rates are set by the government and vary by vehicle. Most cars first registered after April 2017 pay a standard rate from their second year of registration. The first-year rate is based on CO2 emissions. Zero-emission vehicles registered before April 2025 paid no VED; from April 2025 new EVs moved to the standard rate.
Because rates change annually and vary significantly by vehicle age, fuel type, and CO2 band, use the DVLA's official rate table at gov.uk to find the current rate for your specific registration - do not rely on any single quoted figure.
What happens if you drive without valid tax?
Driving or keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road is an offence. DVLA uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect untaxed vehicles and can clamp or impound them without further warning. A fixed penalty of £80 applies (£40 if paid within 14 days), and the vehicle may be impounded at additional cost.
Driving without insurance is a separate and more serious offence: a £300 fixed penalty notice, six penalty points, and the vehicle can be seized and crushed.
Can you SORN a vehicle instead of taxing it?
A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) allows you to declare a vehicle as off the road. Once SORN is in place, there is no requirement to pay road fund licence and the vehicle may be left uninsured - though leaving it uninsured carries some risk in the event of fire or theft.
SORN can be declared at gov.uk using your V5C reference number. It takes effect immediately and the previous keeper receives a refund for any full remaining months of tax. SORN is the correct route for vehicles that are laid up, undergoing restoration, or not being used. You cannot drive or keep the vehicle on a public road while SORN is in place.
Taxing at the Post Office
If you need to tax a vehicle in person, most Post Offices with a vehicle licensing counter offer a vehicle licensing service. You will need to bring either your V5C renewal reminder (V11) sent by DVLA, or your MOT certificate if no V11 reminder has been issued. The Post Office system checks your insurance status via the Motor Insurance Database at the time of the transaction - if your insurance is not yet showing on the MID (which can happen with brand-new policies), the transaction may be declined until the MID updates. Post Offices cannot accept SORN declarations - those must be made at gov.uk or by post directly to DVLA. Post Offices also cannot tax a vehicle using just the V5C reference number without the V11 reminder notice; for that you need to use the online service.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to tax my car?
The 11-digit reference number from your V5C, or the 12-digit number from the new keeper supplement (V5C/2) if you just bought the car. Your MOT and insurance are checked by DVLA automatically.
Can I tax my car online?
Yes. Use the DVLA vehicle tax service at gov.uk, available 24 hours a day. You can pay annually or by monthly direct debit.
Does road tax transfer when I sell or buy a car?
No. The seller receives a refund for any full remaining months. The buyer must tax the vehicle before driving it - use the V5C/2 new keeper supplement to tax it immediately.
How do I check if my car is taxed?
Use the free DVLA vehicle enquiry service at gov.uk. Enter any registration number to see current tax and MOT status.
What happens if I drive without road tax?
An £80 fixed penalty notice (£40 if paid within 14 days). The vehicle can also be clamped or impounded if found untaxed on a public road.
Temporary insurance quote
Get a price in under 60 seconds!