Vehicle Tax
Paying Your Vehicle Tax
You can pay your vehicle tax online at www.gov.uk, by calling the DVLA’s automated service on 0300 123 4321, or at selected Post Office branches.
When you buy a vehicle, the tax does not transfer with it. You must tax the vehicle yourself before using it. You can do this online, by phone, or at the Post Office using the New Keeper Supplement (VSC/2) from the vehicle registration certificate (VSC).
The DVLA will send you a renewal reminder by post when your current vehicle tax is due to expire.
When you sell your vehicle, you should notify the DVLA. They will automatically issue a refund for any full remaining months of paid vehicle tax.
Keeping DVLA Informed
The registered keeper must tell the DVLA if the vehicle is:
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Off the road (SORN)
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Sold, transferred, scrapped, or exported
If you fail to do this, you’ll remain legally responsible for taxing the vehicle. Once DVLA has been informed, they will send an acknowledgement, which should be kept as proof that their records have been updated.
If You Do Not Re-Tax Your Vehicle
If you don’t renew your vehicle tax or make a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN), you’ll face an automatic penalty. The DVLA carries out monthly computer checks to identify untaxed vehicles.
It’s no longer necessary for a vehicle to be seen on a public road before a penalty is issued, although on-road enforcement will still take place.
Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN)
If you’re not using or keeping your vehicle on a public road, you can declare a SORN, which means you won’t have to pay vehicle tax. A SORN remains valid until the vehicle is taxed, sold, or scrapped.
You can make a SORN by:
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Applying online at www.gov.uk
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Completing form V890 and sending it to DVLA (available at licence-issuing Post Office branches or from www.gov.uk)
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Using the relevant section of your renewal reminder form V11 and taking it to a licence-issuing Post Office
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Completing form V14 (Application for a refund of vehicle tax) if you’re also requesting a refund and keeping the vehicle
Important Reminder
To keep a vehicle untaxed and off the road, the registered keeper must make a SORN.
Failure to do so, or ignoring reminders, can result in:
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A fixed penalty of £100
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Court prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000
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The vehicle being clamped, seized, or destroyed