How to Check Whether Your Car is Taxed in the UK?
Having up-to-date road tax (vehicle tax, car tax or Vehicle Excise Duty) is an essential legal obligation for drivers in the UK, much like having Home Insurance is a requirement for most mortgages. A few different factors are taken into account when determining the amount of car tax for a vehicle, such as the age of the vehicle, the carbon dioxide emissions, and the cost of the car.
Modern car tax rates are designed to encourage drivers to purchase lower emissions and electric vehicles, as this helps to meet the government's carbon emission reduction targets. When selecting a car for tax, it is beneficial to look for a vehicle with a lower insurance group and low emissions, as these may be eligible for a lower car tax rate.
When’s the road tax due?
Depending on when your car was registered, the timing of when road tax is due will vary. If your car was registered since 2017, a “showroom tax” is due at the point of registration, covering the first year of road tax. This is calculated based on the carbon dioxide emissions of the car. Subsequently, road tax is then due at your chosen instalment period (12, 6 or 1 month) after the first year. If the car's list price is over £40,000, there may be an additional fee.
If your car was registered between 2001 and 2017, road tax is due at your chosen instalment period (12, 6 or 1 month), based on its fuel type and CO2 emissions. If your car was registered before 1 March 2001, road tax is due at your chosen instalment period (12, 6 or 1 month), based on engine size.
You can find out when your car was registered and its relevant road tax rate by searching online. There are also tables on the government website that provide details of the car tax rates. It is important to ensure you pay your road tax at the required time. Otherwise, you may be subject to fines.
How do I find out how much my car tax is?
You can quickly and easily get your free tax check by entering the vehicle's registration number, and you will then get all the necessary information about the car, including the date it was registered, the type of fuel it uses, its CO2 emissions, and applicable road tax rates. It is important to pay your road tax on time, as you can face fines if it is not paid in full and on time.
When can you drive without road tax?
Driving without road tax, also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or car tax, is generally not permitted unless you have registered your car with the DVLA as a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
If your car is registered with a SORN, you can drive it on private property and only in specific situations, such as for tests and repairs. However, it is illegal to drive a SORN vehicle on public roads, and if you do so, you may be subject to fines. Therefore, it is generally advised to register your car with the DVLA and pay the relevant road tax in order to drive it legally on public roads.