Is my vehicle taxed?

If you own or keep a vehicle in the the UK and you intend to use it (or keep it) on public roads, you generally must have a valid vehicle tax (often called Vehicle Excise Duty, VED, or “road tax”). The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) maintains a register and you can check if a vehicle is taxed (or declared off the road) via the DVLA’s “Check Vehicle Tax” service.  

Even if your vehicle is exempt, you must still register it as taxed (even if the amount is zero). 

How to tax my vehicle 

To tax your vehicle, you need certain reference information (for example, from your V5C vehicle log book or a tax reminder).  

You have two main avenues: 

Online 

1. Go to the Tax your vehicle. 
2. Use a reference number (from your V5C, a tax reminder, or new keeper slip) and provide required vehicle details.  
3. Pay by debit/credit card or via Direct Debit.  
4. If you are exempt (e.g. you are disabled, or the vehicle qualifies for an exemption), you must still register the vehicle as taxed even if you pay £0. 

In-person 

You can also tax your vehicle at a Post Office branch that deals with vehicle tax.  

You’ll need to bring: 

• Your vehicle log book (V5C), in your name, or the new keeper slip if you’ve recently bought the vehicle.  
• Payment or banking information for a Direct Debit setup (if you wish to pay that way).  
• In some cases, evidence of a valid MOT (or MOT history) may be required, since the tax cannot normally start if there is no valid MOT.  

How much it is? 

The cost of vehicle tax depends on several factors: the type of vehicle, its emissions or engine type, the date of registration, and whether the vehicle is eligible for any exemptions or supplements. 

From 1 April 2025, the rules changed so that formerly exempt vehicles (such as electric cars) now must pay tax, and many incentives or discounts have been removed.  

How much it is for an electric car? 

For electric, zero-emission or low-emission cars registered on or after 1 April 2025, the first year rate is £10.  

From the second year onward, such vehicles will pay the standard annual rate (as of 2025, £195) unless they qualify for a supplement.  

If a new zero‑emission car (registered from 1 April 2025 onward) has a list price over £40,000, it also incurs the expensive car supplement (around £425 per year for up to five years).  

For EVs registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025, owners will now pay the standard £195 annual rate (these cars were previously exempt).  

Electric cars registered before 1 April 2017 will be moved to a VED band (Band B) at around £20 per year.  

Other vehicles (petrol, diesel, hybrids) are taxed according to emission bands, first-year showroom rates (for new vehicles), and standard bands in subsequent years.  

Discounts 

Some vehicles may benefit from discounts or exemptions, e.g.: 

• Disabled person’s vehicles may qualify for reduced or zero tax (but must still be registered).  
• Historic vehicles (typically over 40 years old) may be exempt.  
• Vehicles used by disabled persons, or certain mobility vehicles, may receive relief.  
• Some alternative fuel vehicles or hybrids used to enjoy discounted VED rates, but many of those discounts have been phased out from April 2025.  

How to cancel my vehicle tax and get a refund 

You may be entitled to a refund of unused tax if you no longer require the vehicle to be taxed (for example, you sell it, scrap it, export it, or declare it off the road).  

Steps to cancel and claim a refund:

1. Inform the DVLA that the vehicle is being: 
2. Sold or transferred 
3. Taken off road (declare a SORN, i.e. Statutory Off Road Notification) 
4. Written off 
5. Exported 
6. Or stolen (in which case a separate refund request is needed)  
7. Once DVLA cancels the tax, they’ll also cancel any Direct Debit (if you had one).
8. You will receive a cheque refund for any full months of tax remaining. Partial months are not refunded.  
9. The refund is made payable to the name on the V5C log book and sent to that address.  

Excluded from refunds are: 

• Credit card fees 
• The surcharge on some Direct Debit payments (5 %) 
• The surcharge on the single 6‑month payments (10 %)  

If you do not receive the refund within about six weeks, contact DVLA.  

Frequently asked questions 

Is road tax necessary for a change of name? 

Changing the vehicle’s registered keeper or name (e.g. selling or transferring) requires notifying DVLA. You will need to ensure the new keeper (or name change) is reflected in the log book (V5C) and tax registration. Tax doesn’t automatically transfer. The new keeper will need to tax the vehicle or confirm its existing tax. 

What is road tax used for? 

Despite the term “road tax”, VED is not ring‑fenced for road maintenance. It goes into general government revenue. Its primary uses are to raise income for central government, not directly fund roads.  

Is it compulsory to pay it? 

Yes, it is. If your vehicle is used or kept on public roads, you must have valid tax. Operating, or even merely keeping an untaxed vehicle on public roads, is an offence. DVLA and other enforcement bodies may issue penalties, impound vehicles, or issue fines.  

Is it compulsory to carry the road tax receipt? 

No, it’s not. Since paper tax discs were abolished, you no longer need to display a tax disc or carry a tax certificate. Authorities check tax status electronically. 

When does road tax stop being payable? 

Road tax stops being payable when: 

• The vehicle is sold or ownership transferred and new tax is taken or cancelled 
• The vehicle is scrapped or exported 
• You declare the vehicle off the road (SORN) 
• If the vehicle becomes exempt (for example, a historic vehicle) from the tax liability 

The DVLA processes your cancellation and refunds unused months of tax. 

Helpful Resources: 

Vehicle tax, MOT and insurance – Gov.UK 

Tax your vehicle – Gov.UK 

Check if a vehicle is taxed – Gov.UK 

Vehicle Tax Rates – Gov.UK