Tax Check

If you’re a vehicle owner in the UK, I’m sure you’re already familiar with Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), or “road tax”.

It can be hard to remember when your tax is due, and although the DVLA will send you a tax reminder through the post, those of us that like to keep organised can use this website to check your vehicle tax at any time.

How do I Check Tax?

Go ahead and stick your vehicle registration in the box above and you’ll be taken to a page telling you if your vehicle is taxed and MOT’d.

It will also give you the expiry dates of your tax, and let you know if your vehicle is registered as off the road – known as SORN.

What is Vehicle Excise Duty?

Vehicle Excise Duty, or VED, is basically a fancy name for the vehicle tax you pay to keep your beloved car, van, or motorcycle legally on the road. It’s actually a myth that money collected from this tax goes towards maintaining and improving our road network – It actually just goes into a big tax pot that the Government then spends on whatever it sees fit.

So as much as you’d like to think of it as your contribution to making sure we all drive on smooth, pothole-free roads – that’s not the case I’m afraid (as I’m sure you can tell by the current state of our road network!)

How Much Will Tax Cost?

The cost of vehicle tax varies depending on many factors including the categorisation of vehicle (car, motorcycle, HGV), engine size and age of vehicle. It’s a bit of a minefield.

For the sake of brevity, here’s a very basic guide on how car tax is calculated:

• Old Cars (Pre-March 2001): For these golden oldies, the tax is based on engine size. If your engine is up to 1549cc, you pay one rate. If it’s over 1549cc, you pay a bit more.
• Old(ish) Cars (April 2001-March 2017): Here, it gets a bit more modern. The tax is based on CO2 emissions. The cleaner and greener your car, the less you pay. So all those eco-friendly vehicles get a slightly lighter tax bill!
• Newer Cars (April 2017-Present): Again, this is based on emissions but has other rules for hybrid vehicles, and any vehicle that had a retail price of £40,000 and above.
• Electric Vehicles: Good news for EV owners – fully electric vehicles are currently exempt from VED. But not for long! Tax fees for EV’s are on the way in 2025.

If you’re curious about the exact amount for your car, the Government’s tax rate tables are your new best friend. I’d love to list the figures here, but they increase so often that I’d be forever updating this page.

How Do I Get My Vehicle Taxed?

Getting your vehicle taxed is very easy. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Check Your Vehicle Tax Status: Put your vehicle registration into the box at the top of this page to see if your vehicle is already taxed. It’s free, quick and easy!
2. Gather Your Documents: You’ll need your vehicle logbook (V5C), a recent reminder (V11), or your New Keeper’s details if you just bought the car.
3. Make the Payment: Pay up using a debit or credit card via the gov.uk website, by phone, or at your local Post Office. You can choose to pay annually, biannually, or even monthly by direct debit.
4. Keep the Confirmation: Once you’ve paid, you’ll get a confirmation. Hold on to it just in case you need to prove you’re all legal.

What Happens If I Don’t Tax My Vehicle?

Here’s what could happen if you skip out on paying VED:

• Fines: You could be slapped with a late fee of £80 and even a fine of up to £1,000 or five times the amount of tax owed, whichever is greater. Ouch!
• Clamping and Impounding: Your vehicle could be clamped, impounded, or even destroyed if found untaxed on public roads.
• Increased Penalties: Keep dodging the taxman, and the fines and penalties just keep piling up. Extreme cases may be pursued through court where the maximum penalty could reach £2,500.

Make sure you perform a tax check regularly so you don’t get penalised!

What’s This SORN Thing?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. If your vehicle is tucked away in your garage, on your driveway, or on private land, and not being used on public roads, you need to declare it off-road.

No tax will be owed, and a SORN lasts indefinitely until you decide to tax your vehicle again or sell it.

Our tax check will always let you know if your vehicle is SORN’d. Here’s a tip: if the tax check returns that your vehicle is not taxed, nor does it say it is SORN’d, you might have forgotten to make the SORN application!

Are Some Vehicles Exempt from VED?

Not all vehicles need to pay tax. Here’s a quick rundown of the ones that can hit the road without the tax burden:

• Historic Vehicles: If your vehicle was built more than 40 years ago, congrats! It’s considered historic and is exempt from VED. So, all those classic car lovers can save some cash.
• Electric Vehicles: Fully electric vehicles (not hybrids) are currently exempt from VED (until 2025). It’s a perk for going green and helping the environment.
• Disabled Passenger Vehicles: Some disabled people don’t need to pay VED on their primary vehicle, or can claim a discount. This can include vehicles driven by or used for the benefit of someone with disabilities.
• Mobility Scooters, Powered Wheelchairs, and Invalid Carriages: These small vehicles designed for people with mobility issues are exempt from VED.
• Mowing Machines: Yes, even lawnmowers can be tax-exempt if they’re used just for cutting grass and not on public roads.
• Steam Vehicles: If you’re driving a steam-powered vehicle, you’re exempt from VED. A bit of a niche one, but it’s there!
• Vehicles Used for Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry: If your vehicle is only used off-road or for very short distances on public roads (up to 1.5 km between sites), it can be exempt from VED.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, and there are certain restrictions that apply, so make sure you check the official gov.uk rules before embarking on your tax-free journey!