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    Free car tax check

    Check your car’s tax status, then track its value and sell at the right time.

    Taxed
    Tax valid for85 days
    Vehicle

    Check

    Get a free car tax check and status report

    Value

    Instantly value your car online, for free

    Sell

    Based on its tax status, sell at the right time

    Tax check tick box

    How to check my car tax status for free

    • It’s crucial to check the deadline for taxing your car. Our free tool does it for you by running an instant DVSA check on your car’s tax status.
    • You’ll see when you next need to renew your car’s annual tax, and avoid any time spent on the road illegally.
    Tax valid checkbox with date on a mobile phone

    What’s included in your free car tax report?

    • You’ll see whether your car’s currently taxed, your renewal date, and how many days are remaining.
    • Set an email alert for re-taxing your car, to stay on top of your admin without any hassle.
    • Try tracking your car’s ongoing value, so you can weigh up your car tax and other running costs against its depreciation, and choose to sell at the best time.
    Checking your car tax certificate

    Why should I check my vehicle’s tax status?

    • Driving an untaxed car could lead to a fine of up to £2,500 – the exception is when you’re taking an untaxed car for its MOT.
    • Give yourself enough time to research your car’s tax band as well as any extra charges – these are set to change in 2025.
    • If your car was worth over £40,000 when bought new, it’s liable for an extra tax in its first 5 years (even if it changes owners).

    UK legal driving requirements

    Vehicle tax

    • Make sure your car is legal on the road at all times
    • Get organised with your payments ahead of time

    MOT status

    • Know your car’s really roadworthy, for your safety
    • Find defects before they become costly repairs

    CO2 emissions

    • Knowing your emissions rating can save you thousands
    • Avoid driving in charging zones, or exceeding government standards

    Car insurance

    • Make sure your insurance is valid at all times
    • Cars on the road must all be taxed and insured
    booking an MOT test illustration

    Pay or renew your car tax

    • There are different tax bands and rates for cars in their first year of registration and their renewals from their second tax year onwards. The prices are based on emission levels and fuel types.
    • From April 2025, cars first registered between 2017 and 2025 will be taxed differently, with all EVs paying a standard renewal rate of £180 as well as the expensive car supplement.
    • Finding out your tax deadline is key to making sure you have time to research what tax you may be liable for each year. Some vehicles are exempt from tax – if you think this might be you, check our tax exemption guide.
    • Paying your car tax online is easy – simply go to the government ‘tax your vehicle’ webpage and have your V5C, V11 form, and any applicable SORN notice handy. Find out more.
    Sell easily with our app

    Sell easily with our app

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    Track your car value

    Frequently asked questions about car tax

    When is my road tax and MOT due?

    You must pay your Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), or road tax, and have an MOT inspection every year. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will mail you a V11 reminder approximately a month before your tax is due, helping you stay on top of the process. 

    Driving without renewing your road tax or having a valid MOT certificate is illegal, so mark these dates in your calendar!

    Note that cars are only subject to annual MOT testing once they are three years old, or four in Northern Ireland.

    Should I buy a full car history check?

    Yes, you should buy a full car history check as a vehicle history report offers valuable insights into a car’s condition, including past repairs, accidents, and other issues. While you can purchase a full car history report, you can also pull much of this information from DVLA records, insurance databases, service records, and your vehicle’s V5C logbook.

    How do I pay my road tax online?

    The most convenient way to renew your road tax online is directly with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). 

    On the DVLA website, navigate to the ‘Renew your vehicle tax’ section, enter your vehicle number from your V5C logbook and the reference number on your V11 form, and proceed as directed.

    What happens if I don’t tax my vehicle?

    Every vehicle on public roads must contribute towards their maintenance and other associated costs. This contribution comes in the form of the road tax. 

    It is illegal to drive your vehicle untaxed; doing so can result in substantial fines, court action, and even vehicle impoundment. 

    Do I need to tax my vehicle if it is registered as SORN?

    If your car has a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), you do not need to pay road tax or get your annual MOT until you’re ready to sell the vehicle, or otherwise get it back on the road. 

    Registering your car as SORN lets the DVLA know that it’ll be off the road, and sets you up to get a refund on the road tax you’ve paid through to the end of the year.

    How much does it cost to tax my vehicle?

    The cost of road tax depends on several factors, including when your vehicle was first registered, its make and model, and its CO2 emissions. 

    Based on this information, your car will be placed in one of the VED system’s tax bands and charged the corresponding annual fee. 

    If you have an electric vehicle, you do not have to pay road tax until April 2025.

    How will I know when my road tax expires?

    Road tax expires one year after your last due payment. You’ll receive a V11 reminder notice from the DVLA in the post about a month before your tax expires, however, do not count on this letter as your only reminder to renew!

    Will I get a refund on my road tax if I sell my vehicle?

    Yes, you can get a refund on your road tax when you sell your car or van. Contact the DVLA or apply for a DVLA car tax refund online.

     You can expect to receive payment within six weeks. Refunds are paid in full months, e.g. you won’t get a refund for an extra week’s worth of tax.

    If I buy a vehicle, can I drive it home without road tax?

    It is illegal to drive an untaxed car in the UK. Road tax must be paid on new cars before they can hit the road; this can be done online via the DVLA, at the post office, or even at the dealership.

    Are there any vehicles that don’t need road tax?

    Yes, some vehicles are exempt and do not need to pay UK road tax. 

    Historic vehicles, cars and vans used by disabled people, vehicles used for agriculture, and those registered as SORN do not pay road tax. Electric vehicles (EVs) are also exempt from paying road tax until April 2025.

    Why can’t I find my vehicle?

    Is your car not appearing when you enter your reg in Motorway’s car tax checker? 

    Check you correctly inputted the number 0, rather than the capital letter O, and used the number 1, not the capital letter I.

    Why is my vehicle tax expiry date incorrect?

    If you notice that your vehicle tax expiry date that we show you is incorrect, notify the DVLA immediately, as this may reflect a clerical error in their system. 

    Keep in mind that it can take up to two working days for DVLA records to be updated.

    Car tax guides

    How to tax your car

    It’s a legal requirement to tax your car in the UK. You’ll not get very far if you don’t pay your road tax! Learn how to do it and why it’s so important.

    How to SORN your car

    A SORN will pause or stop your road tax liability on a car you don’t plan to use on the road.

    How to check your car’s road tax

    This guide shows you how to check your road tax, why it’s important, different tax bands and the cost of vehicle excise duty.

    How to tax a car without a V5C logbook?

    Learn how to tax a vehicle without a V5C logbook and the easiest way to go about it.

    How to cancel road tax – the ultimate guide

    A step-by-step rundown of how to cancel your road tax. Find out what documents you need and how to contact the DVLA.

    When does a car become tax exempt?

    Find out when a car becomes tax exempt, whether it’s based on electric vehicles, classic cars or something else.

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