How do I tax my car?

What you need

You need one of these, each of which has a reference number on it:

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

You also need:

• a debit or credit card, or your bank details if you want to pay by Direct Debit
• a valid MOT, if your vehicle needs one
• insurance, before you drive

It can take up to 2 days for a new MOT pass to show on the system, so you might not be able to tax straight after the test. In Northern Ireland you may need to show a paper copy of your insurance certificate or cover note.

How to tax your vehicle

1. Find your reference number on your reminder letter, V5C or new keeper slip.
2. Choose how to tax: online on GOV.UK, by phone on 0300 123 4321 (a 24 hour service), or at a Post Office that does vehicle tax.
3. Enter the reference number and check the vehicle details are right.
4. Choose how to pay: in one go for 12 or 6 months, or by Direct Debit monthly, every 6 months or once a year.
5. Pay. No paper tax disc is sent.

You cannot set up a Direct Debit by phone. You can do it online or at a Post Office.

How much it costs

The amount depends on the vehicle. For most cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017, you pay a first-year rate based on CO2 emissions, then the standard rate:

The higher amount includes a £440 supplement, which you pay for 5 years. Cars registered before 1 April 2017 pay different rates, shown in the GOV.UK rate tables.

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

If you pay by Direct Debit

• You need your address and date of birth, and your bank details.
• You do not have to be the registered keeper to set it up.
• The first payment is not taken until the tax has started, which can take up to 10 days.
• After that, payments are taken on the first working day of the month they are due.

After you tax

You do not get a tax disc. You can check the vehicle's tax status online with its number plate. It can take up to 2 working days for the record to update.

If you do not have a reference number

If you have no reminder, log book or new keeper slip, apply for a new log book. You can tax the vehicle at the same time.

Things to know

• You must tax your vehicle even if it is exempt and you pay nothing, for example an exemption for some disabled people.
• If you keep the vehicle off the road, make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) instead.
• Vehicle tax works the same way across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Related guides

• What are the car tax rates for 2026/27?
• How do I check if a car is taxed?
• How do I SORN my car?
• Do I need to tax a car I have just bought?
• What is a V5C log book?

Where this comes from

• Tax your vehicle (GOV.UK)
• Vehicle tax Direct Debit payments (GOV.UK)
• Vehicle tax rates for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017 (GOV.UK)
• Check if a vehicle is taxed (GOV.UK)
• Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax (GOV.UK)