The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is reminding drivers that they “must” tax their vehicle. Issuing the alert on X, the DVLA shared a clear message. The post said: “You must tax your vehicle, even if you don’t have to pay anything. Tax it online at http://gov.uk/dvla/tax.”
As the GOV.UK website explains: “You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything, for example if you’re exempt because you’re disabled.” Additionally, you must meet all the legal obligations for drivers before you drive.
Drivers can check whether their vehicle has up-to-date vehicle tax or has been registered as off the road online. To use the tool, you need the vehicle’s registration number, more commonly known as the number plate.
You can tax your vehicle online, by phone or at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax. While you will not need to tax your vehicle if it is off the road, you need to make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
GOV.UK explains: “Your vehicle is off the road if you do not keep or use it on a public road, for example if it’s in a garage, on a drive or on private land.” Drivers can make a SORN online, by phone or by post.
It is illegal to drive on a public road without a car tax. The RAC explains: “By law, it’s an offence to drive a vehicle on a public road in the UK without valid road tax, but there are a few exceptions to this rule.
“If you’re taking your car to a pre-booked MOT test, you can drive your vehicle on a road without it being taxed. The law doesn’t state how far you can travel, but if you stop off at the shops on the way or cover an unreasonably long distance it could be deemed that you’re using the vehicle for other purposes and the exemption won’t apply.
“Disabled drivers may be exempt from paying vehicle tax, while certain vehicles such as electric cars and historic motors may also be excused. However, it’s worth noting that you do still have to apply for vehicle tax even if you don’t need to pay it.”
If you do not tax your vehicle, you could risk being fined. The DVLA has a dedicated webpage on GOV.UK that sets out the enforcement action for vehicle tax, registration, and insurance offences.
It explains that being the registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle will cost you. “A late licensing penalty (LLP) letter is issued automatically. LLP set at £80 reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. If the penalty is not paid, the case will be referred to a debt collection agency. If you pay by Direct Debit and fail to make the payment, DVLA may stop you from using this payment method in the future.
Keeping an untaxed vehicle is an offence. It states: “An out of court settlement (OCS) letter issued. OCS set at £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax. If the OCS is not paid, as a criminal offence the case may be pursued through the magistrates’ court. The penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater. Vehicle may be clamped and additional fees may apply.”