To drive legally in the UK, one of the requirements of the vehicle is to have up-to-date road tax paid. Whether you are looking at purchasing a new car, or if you simply want to check your own current status, you can do this in one easy step, all you need is the registration number! We get all of our information directly from the DVLA, so it is very reliable, and you can have peace of mind, knowing exactly where you stand.
Our easy-to read reports will not only advise you of your cars current tax status, but it will also include full vehicle detail and specifications. We can also advise you if your car is registered as off the road (SORN), and how much it will cost to tax the car.
What is road tax?
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), more commonly known as road tax, is a compulsory fee that benefits all road users. All the fees are paid directly into the central government fund, which is used for projects including road work and maintenance. The amount you pay, will depend on the type of vehicle you own, and is based on how economically friendly it is. It is understood that around £6.5 billion is put back in to the community each year as a result from the road tax.
Can I tax my car online?
It is very easy to tax your vehicle online. You will need to have a reference number from any of the three following:
– Your vehicle log book (V5C), which must be under your own name.
– The green ‘new keeper’ form from the V5C if you have just purchased the new vehicle.
– A reminder letter (V11) that you have received from the DVLA.
What does SORN mean?
SORN stands for ‘Statutory Off Road Notification’, which is used to advise the DVLA that your vehicle is parked up, and not being used on public roads. If you make a SORN, you do not need to pay the taxes, or the insurance on the vehicle, as it is not being used. This may be because of repairs that may need to be done, or if the driver of the vehicle does not need to use the car for a long period of time (eg travelling, University etc), but you do not want to sell the car. A SORN does not expire, but as soon as you are ready to drive the car again, you will need to pay the taxes online as quickly as possible. If you are caught driving a SORN vehicle, you could be prosecuted in court, and fined up to £2,500!
Can I get my tax back if I sell the car?
Tax is non-transferrable, so you will need to tax your new car under your own name as soon as you buy it. If you are the seller however, the DVLA will automatically refund the remaining tax on the vehicle, based on the date of sale and how much tax you had paid. The DVLA will post a cheque once they have been informed of the sale (the yellow section 9 of your V5C/3), and this can take up to six weeks. You are also entitled to a refund if your car has been written off, you simply need to supply the Certificate of Destruction from the recycling centre that destroys the vehicle.
Original guide plus tax checks
Tax status answers a road-use question, but buyers should also consider MOT, SORN, fuel type, emissions and ULEZ exposure before collection.
A taxed vehicle can still have other buyer risks, and an untaxed vehicle may still be a legitimate sale. Context matters.
Do not assume you can drive the car away. Confirm tax, MOT and insurance before road use, especially in a private sale.
Use Car Check Experts for buyer-focused history checks, then compare key legal and road-use details with official services where they apply.
No. Buyers usually need to tax the vehicle themselves.
No. It only answers a tax and road-use status question.