Car Tax Check: Is My Car Taxed?
Is my car taxed? Run a free car tax check on any UK vehicle and find out in seconds. Enter the number plate and you'll see whether it's taxed, untaxed or declared off the road, the date the tax is due and its MOT status. We also work out what it costs to tax, using this year's GOV.UK rates.
- Official DVLA tax records
- Tax and MOT in one check
- Free, with no sign-up
Updated · By Hamza Akram · Where our data comes from
Is my car taxed? How to check in seconds
Quick answer
Type the registration into the car tax check above. In a few seconds it shows the tax status from DVLA's records (taxed, untaxed or SORN), the date tax is due, whether the MOT is valid and the yearly cost to tax. You don't need the V5C logbook, an account or the owner's permission.
We don't tell anyone when you run a check, including the owner or the seller. Our server sends the registration to DVLA and DVSA, and we never see or show the keeper's name or address.
What our car tax check shows
Most tax checkers stop at "taxed" or "not taxed". Ours adds the details that help you decide what to do next:
Tax status
Taxed, untaxed or SORN, exactly as DVLA records it, with a countdown to the due date.
MOT status
Whether the MOT is valid, expired or not yet due, side by side with the tax status.
Cost to tax
The yearly price at this year's rates, plus the monthly and 6-month options.
Tax band and CO2
The CO2 figure, the tax band for older cars and any expensive car supplement.
Vehicle details
Engine size, fuel, Euro status, first registration and the latest V5C date.
Clear next steps
What to do if the car is untaxed, on a SORN, exported or has no valid MOT.
MOT and car tax check: is my car taxed and MOT'd?
Your MOT and your tax depend on each other, so it makes sense to check MOT and tax at the same time. The rule is simple: you can't tax a vehicle that needs an MOT unless it has a valid one when the tax starts.
That's why our car tax check shows both statuses next to each other. If the MOT has run out, renewing the tax will fail until the vehicle passes a new test. Bear in mind that a new MOT can take up to two days to reach the online record. If you need to tax sooner, you can tax at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax and take your MOT certificate.
For the full test record, including past fails and advisories, use our free MOT history check.
Car tax check results explained
DVLA uses a handful of short labels. Here's what each one means for you:
| Status | What it means | Can it be driven? |
|---|---|---|
| Taxed | Tax is paid up to the due date shown | Yes, if it also has a valid MOT and insurance |
| Untaxed | The tax has run out or hasn't been paid | No, it can't be driven or kept on a public road |
| SORN | Declared off the road with a Statutory Off Road Notification | No, except to a pre-booked MOT |
| No tax details | DVLA returned no tax record, for example a very new registration | Check with the keeper before you rely on it |
Some vehicles don't cost anything to tax, yet they still show as "Taxed". That's because you must still tax an exempt vehicle, even when the price is £0.
DVLA car tax check: where the data comes from
Our car tax check reads the same DVLA record as the official GOV.UK vehicle tax check. So the tax status and due date match what DVLA holds. The difference is that we add the MOT status, the cost to tax and what to do next, all on one page.
We're independent, though, and not part of DVLA or GOV.UK. GOV.UK notes that records can take up to two working days to update. So if a car was taxed very recently, the old status may still show for a short time.
Car tax check in Northern Ireland
The car tax check works the same way for vehicles registered in Northern Ireland. That's because DVLA took over vehicle registration and tax from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in 2014. You tax a Northern Ireland vehicle online at GOV.UK, by phone or at a Post Office.
However, MOTs work differently there. The DVA tests vehicles at its own centres, and cars have their first MOT at four years old, not three. The MOT history for Northern Ireland tests starts in 2017.
Is my car taxed and insured?
A car tax check can't show insurance, because insurance isn't held by DVLA. Instead, it's on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). To check your own vehicle is insured, use the free askMID service with the registration. A new policy can take a few days to appear.
Remember that a vehicle on the road needs all three: tax, a valid MOT (if it's old enough) and insurance. Our check covers the first two in one go.
How much is my car tax?
The cost depends on when the car was first registered. Most cars registered since April 2017 pay £200 a year, while older cars pay by CO2 band or engine size. The car tax check above shows the cost for the vehicle you enter. For every band, payment option and the next five years, use our car tax calculator.
Buying a used car? The tax doesn't transfer
This catches out many buyers. As GOV.UK's vehicle tax rules put it, the tax isn't transferred to you when you buy a vehicle. In other words, even if the car tax check says "Taxed", that tax belongs to the seller and ends when they tell DVLA about the sale.
So you must tax the car yourself before you drive it away. To do that, you'll need one of these:
- The green "new keeper" slip from the V5C logbook, which the seller gives you.
- A V11 tax reminder in your name, with its 16-digit reference number.
- A V5C logbook already in your name, with its 11-digit reference number.
Meanwhile, the seller gets a refund for any full months of tax left. Before you hand over any money, check the car's history too. Our free vehicle check confirms the colour, engine and other details match the advert.
How to tax a vehicle
Taxing takes a few minutes online. Follow these steps:
- Find your reference number Use the 16-digit number on a V11 reminder, the 11-digit number on the V5C or the 12-digit number on the green new keeper slip.
- Check the MOT The vehicle needs a valid MOT on the day the tax starts, unless it's exempt.
- Choose how to pay Pay for 12 or 6 months by card, or set up a Direct Debit for monthly, 6-month or yearly payments.
- Pay online, by phone or at a Post Office Online at [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax) is quickest. The DVLA's automated phone line is 0300 123 4321.
Tax runs from the first day of the month you tax the vehicle. To see what it will cost first, try our car tax calculator.
Car tax check says untaxed? The penalties
DVLA's enforcement is largely automatic, because number-plate cameras check vehicles against its records. Penalties include:
| What happens | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Late licensing penalty from DVLA | £80, reduced to £40 if you pay within 33 days |
| Prosecution in court | Up to £1,000, or five times the yearly tax, whichever is greater |
| Using a vehicle with a SORN in force | Up to £2,500, or five times the yearly tax |
| Clamp release | £100, if released within 24 hours |
| Impound release | £200, plus storage charges |
Also note that an untaxed vehicle can't be parked on a public road, even if it isn't being driven. Unless you keep it off the road and declare it SORN, it needs tax.
SORN: when a car is off the road
A Statutory Off Road Notification, or SORN, tells DVLA that a vehicle is kept off public roads. You'll need one if you stop taxing a vehicle you're keeping, for example during a long repair or a winter lay-up.
You can make a SORN online with the 11-digit V5C reference or the 16-digit V11 reference, by phone on 0300 123 4321 or by post with form V890. A SORN stays in place until you tax, sell or scrap the vehicle. However, you don't need one if you've sold the vehicle, because the new keeper is responsible from the day of the sale.
Car tax refunds
When you sell, scrap or SORN a vehicle, DVLA cancels the tax and refunds any full months left. DVLA works out the refund from the date it receives the information. It sends the refund automatically by cheque, and it cancels any Direct Debit.
However, you don't get back the 5% Direct Debit surcharge or the 10% surcharge on a 6-month payment. So if you expect to sell soon, a single 12-month payment can work out cheaper.
Classic car? It may be free to tax
From 1 April 2026, vehicles built before 1 January 1986 can go in the historic vehicle tax class, which costs nothing. It isn't automatic, though. You have to apply, and you still tax it every year.
Car tax check: frequently asked questions
Is a car tax check free?
Yes. Checking whether a vehicle is taxed is free, here and on GOV.UK. You only need the registration number.
Is there a grace period for car tax?
No. You must renew by the due date shown, or declare the vehicle SORN. From the day the tax runs out, the vehicle can't be used or kept on a public road.
Does car tax transfer when you buy a car?
No. The seller's tax ends when they tell DVLA about the sale, and they get a refund for any full months left. You must tax the car before you drive it.
Can I tax my car without an MOT?
Not if it needs one. The vehicle must have a valid MOT on the day the tax starts, unless it's exempt, for example as a historic vehicle.
Why does the check say untaxed when I've just paid?
DVLA's online record can take a short time to update. If you've paid, keep your confirmation email as proof until the status changes.
Do electric cars pay car tax?
Yes. Since 1 April 2025, electric cars pay vehicle tax. Most pay the standard rate of £200 a year, and some newer, more expensive models also pay the £440 supplement.
Can I check car tax in Northern Ireland?
Yes. DVLA handles tax for Northern Ireland vehicles, so the same free car tax check works with an NI registration.
Does a car tax check show who owns the car?
No. DVLA doesn't share keeper names or addresses through vehicle enquiries. You can only request keeper details from DVLA for a legal reason, such as a parking or accident claim.
Is my car taxed and MOT'd? Check the full history too
A car tax check tells you if it's legal to drive today. The full free report adds the complete MOT history, mileage readings and advisories for the same registration.