How Does a Car Tax Check Work?
Our car tax checker is quick and easy to use. Enter the number plate and we will tell you if the vehicle is taxed or if it is declared SORN. If it is taxed, we also show the exact date when the current tax period expires.
In the UK, you must pay Vehicle Excise Duty to drive or keep a vehicle on public roads. It is against the law to use a car without a valid tax unless it is exempt. Use a free car tax check first so you know the status.
You can complete the payment online through the official GOV.UK service, by phone, or at a Post Office. When paying, you have the option to spread the cost monthly by Direct Debit, or choose a six-month or year rate depending on your budget.
How to Find Out If My Car Is Taxed
To see if your car is taxed, do a number plate check. Enter your registration in our tool, and you will get a free report showing if the tax is active and the expiry date. It only takes a few seconds.
If the vehicle is on a public road, it must have a car road tax and a valid MOT test where required (if the car is older than 3 years). If it is not taxed, sort it online or at the Post Office before you drive. This quick check allows you to avoid fines and stay legal.
What Details Are Shown in a Road Tax Check?
Our car tax checker shows if a vehicle is taxed, and how many days it has been taxed for. It also provides key details such as how long the tax has been active, the current cost of the tax, and the CO₂ emissions figure that determines the rate you pay. The results are displayed in a simple, easy-to-read format so you can understand them at a glance.
If you ever find yourself asking, “Is my car taxed?”, you can quickly find out by entering your number plate. This works for all vehicles registered in Great Britain and gives you the information you need to plan your running costs and make sure your vehicle remains fully legal on the road.
What Is Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax)?
Vehicle Excise Duty is the official name for the road tax. It is written as vehicle excise duty VED on forms and guides. It is a compulsory fee you must pay in order to drive or keep a vehicle on public roads in the UK.
The amount depends on factors such as CO2 emissions and fuel type. You can use a car tax price checker to determine the likely cost of your vehicle. This makes it easier to budget ahead and make sure you renew your tax on time without unexpected expenses.
What Happens If I Don’t Pay My Road Tax?
You must keep your vehicle taxed at all times. The cost of road tax depends on the band your car falls into, with different rules applying to those
registered before 1 April 2017 and cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017, as set out in the government’s official rate tables. Most people pay for 12 months, but monthly and six-month options exist. If you do not pay, you can get fines and your vehicle may be towed away or impounded.
Do I Need to Tax a Car on SORN?
If your car is on SORN, you do not need to pay road tax. SORN means the car is kept off the public road, for example, parked on your driveway or stored in a garage, and you must not drive it.
If the car is left on the street or in any public place, you must tax it, even if you do not actually drive it. Parking on the road while on SORN can lead to fines.
When you want to use the car again, tax it before you drive. You can also run a check car tax price so you know what it will cost.
How Much Does Car Tax Cost?
Car tax depends on when your car was first registered. If it was registered before 1 March 2001, the cost is based on engine size. If it was registered after that date, the cost is based on CO2 emissions and fuel type.
You can look up the exact band and price in the government’s
vehicle tax rates tables. These tables cover different fuel types and show what you pay for monthly, six-monthly, or yearly payments.
For a quick estimate, use a car tax calculator. Enter your number plate to see the likely cost, then budget for your next renewal.
How Often Do I Need to Renew Road Tax?
You must renew your road tax every year. You can pay monthly, six-monthly, or annually to suit your budget.
Before renewing, run a car tax by registration check to confirm the expiry date and make sure your details are correct.
How Will I Know When My Road Tax Expires?
The DVLA usually sends you a reminder letter before your road tax runs out, making it easier to renew on time. You can also use our tool to check my vehicle tax any time and see the expiry date. If you’d like a quick estimate of how much your next renewal will cost, the tool can also be used to calculate car tax, helping you plan ahead and budget properly.
Can I Get a Road Tax Refund If I Sell My Car?
Yes, you can get a refund when you sell your car. Cancel the tax with DVLA, and you will get money back for any full months left.
Tax does not transfer to the new keeper, so cancel as soon as you sell. If you are buying another vehicle, you can use a car tax calculator uk to check the likely costs in advance, and it is also a good idea to run an
MOT check for extra peace of mind before committing to the purchase.
Can I Drive a Newly Bought Car Without Road Tax?
You cannot drive without road tax unless the vehicle is exempt. If you are buying a new or used car, you must tax it before you drive on a public road. The process is simple and can be sorted online in just a few minutes, allowing you to stay legal from the very first trip home.
To confirm the status of a vehicle, you can do a car tax by reg to see whether it is currently taxed and when the tax expires. For extra reassurance, use our
car reg checker to confirm the registered keeper details and review the MOT history if you are buying a used car. If you have an electric car, make sure you also check whether it qualifies for any exemption before setting off.
Which Vehicles Are Exempt From Road Tax?
Some vehicles qualify for zero tax, but you still need to officially tax them at the zero rate to keep them legal. You may be exempt if the vehicle is used by a disabled person, is over 40 years old, or is used for agricultural, horticultural, or forestry purposes.
Because tax rates are reviewed annually, it’s best to confirm your vehicle’s current rate before renewing. Use check my car tax to confirm the status and see whether it qualifies for any £0 rate. You can also run a car tax by registration search to see if electric vehicles or other special classes qualify for exemption.
How Do I Pay for My Road Tax Online?
Most people receive a reminder from DVLA about a month before the due date. This letter tells you how much you need to pay and explains the different ways you can make a payment — online, by phone, by post, or at the Post Office. If you never got a letter, you can still pay online without waiting for one.
To do this, go to the official tax your vehicle service and simply follow the on-screen steps. You will need the reference number from your V11 reminder or the V5C log book registered in your name. If you bought the car recently and do not yet have these documents, you can use the green new keeper slip to complete the process.
Before you pay, use our tool to check vehicle tax and confirm the expiry date. If you want to see the amount first, search whats my car tax and review the band for your car. Keep a note of the payment confirmation in case you need it later.
Are There Any Upcoming Changes to Road Tax Rules?
Road tax rates are still reviewed each year, usually on 1 April, but major changes already took effect this year. From April 2025, zero-emission cars and vans are no longer exempt from road tax. Brand-new electric vehicles registered after this date pay a £10 first-year rate, followed by the standard annual rate of £195 from the second year onward.
For electric vehicles registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025, the cost is now a flat £195 per year, while older EVs registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pay £20 per year. In addition, the expensive car supplement applies to electric cars with a list price above £40,000, adding extra charges for the first five years.
Rules can change, so it is smart to check before you renew. Use a DVLA tax check to find out your vehicle's current status and the applicable rate. This allows you to plan your expenses and avoid any surprises at renewal time.
GOV.UK Road Tax Services – What You Need to Know
The
GOV.UK vehicle tax service lets you check if a vehicle is taxed right now. It is fast, official, and reliable, making it the best place to confirm the legal status of any car. However, it does not show the tax amount or provide much detail about the vehicle itself.
If you want more than a yes or no, use a car road tax check with a full report. You can see likely costs, CO2 data, performance figures, and fuel economy. This helps you plan running costs before you buy or renew.
Our full car reg check also shows if a car is recorded as stolen once you create an account. You can also see
car specs by reg and past MOT details in one place. That extra context is useful when you are comparing cars.
A smart approach is to use both. Check tax status on GOV.UK, then read a fuller report for detailed information. That way, you remain both legal and well-informed when managing your vehicle.
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