How do I check if a car is taxed?

For drivers and car buyers who want to check if a vehicle is taxed.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Use the GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service and type in the vehicle's number plate to see if it is taxed.

It shows if the vehicle has up-to-date tax or is registered off the road (SORN).
To see the tax rate for your own vehicle, you need the 11-digit number from the log book (V5C).
Records can take up to 2 working days to update after you tax.
Vehicle tax does not pass to a new owner, so tax a car you have just bought before driving it.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Only need the number plate
Shows taxed or SORN
Updates can take 2 working days
Tax does not pass to new owner

What the check tells you

The GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service shows whether a vehicle has up-to-date vehicle tax, or has been registered as off the road (SORN). You only need the vehicle's registration number (number plate).

If you want to see the current tax rate for your own vehicle, you need the 11-digit reference number from the log book (V5C).

How to check

Find the number plate of the vehicle.
Go to the GOV.UK "Check if a vehicle is taxed" page and select "Start now".
Type in the registration number and confirm the vehicle details.
Read the result. It shows whether the vehicle is taxed or SORN.

If you have just taxed the vehicle, it can take up to 2 working days for the records to update.

If the vehicle is not taxed

You can tax it online, by phone on 0300 123 4321 or at a Post Office. You need one of these:

a recent vehicle tax reminder or "last chance" warning letter from DVLA
the log book (V5C), which must be in your name
the green "new keeper" slip from the log book, if you have just bought it

You must tax your vehicle even if it is exempt and you do not have to pay anything.

Ways to pay

How you pay	Extra charge
Yearly (one payment)	None
Every 6 months by Direct Debit	5% surcharge
Monthly by Direct Debit	5% surcharge

If you have just bought a car

When the seller tells DVLA the car has a new keeper, DVLA cancels their vehicle tax and refunds them any full months left. So you need to tax it yourself, using the green new keeper slip, before you drive it.

Current rates for most cars

For cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017, the standard rate on GOV.UK today (from the second tax payment) is:

Payment	Amount
Single 12 month payment	£200
12 monthly Direct Debit payments (total)	£210

You pay an extra £440 a year for 5 years (from the second tax payment) if the car had a list price over £40,000, or over £50,000 for an electric car. Zero emission cars registered before 1 April 2025 do not pay this extra amount.

Reporting an untaxed vehicle

If you see an untaxed vehicle on the road, you can report it to DVLA. Your report is anonymous and will be investigated.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check vehicle tax

Common questions

What do I need to tax my car?

A DVLA tax reminder or warning letter, the log book (V5C) in your name, or the green new keeper slip if you have just bought it.

Is there a charge for paying vehicle tax monthly?

Yes. Paying monthly or every 6 months by Direct Debit adds a 5% surcharge. Paying yearly has no surcharge.

Official sources

1.Check if a vehicle is taxedwww.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax
2.Tax your vehiclewww.gov.uk/vehicle-tax
3.Cancel your vehicle tax and get a refundwww.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-refund
4.Vehicle tax Direct Debit paymentswww.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-direct-debit

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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