Why You Must Know Your Car’s Tax Status
Driving a car that is untaxed is illegal in the UK and can result in fines, clamping, or impounding.
It also can invalidate your insurance. Checking your vehicle’s tax status is quick, free, and gives you peace of mind before driving or making any changes.
What Car Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) Means
- Car tax (also called Vehicle Excise Duty, VED) is a mandatory charge for using a vehicle on public roads.
- Your car must be taxed unless it is declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) and kept off public roads.
- Tax is tied to the vehicle registration and must usually be renewed annually (or in some cases, over longer periods).
Step-by-Step: How to Check If a Car Is Taxed
- Go to the GOV.UK Vehicle Tax & MOT checker
- Enter the registration number (number plate)
- View the status:
- Whether tax is valid or expired
- The expiry date
- MOT status (if applicable)
- Make, model, colour, and other vehicle details
If the status shows “no record” or that it’s untaxed, that indicates there is no valid tax on the vehicle.
What to Do If Your Car Is Untaxed
- Don’t drive it unless it’s for a pre-booked MOT test.
- Tax the vehicle via GOV.UK (you’ll need a valid MOT, insurance, and payment method).
- If the car is off the road, you may declare SORN.
- Be aware of enforcement: penalties, clamping, impoundment.
Should You Check Tax Before Buying a Used Car?
Yes. Before purchase or collection:
- Use the DVLA checker to confirm valid tax.
- If the car’s tax is missing or has expired, it becomes your responsibility once you’re the registered keeper. A vehicle must always be taxed if it’s kept or driven on public roads, even when ownership changes, so it’s important to check before you buy. When driving a used car home or test driving, use a temporary policy from Briefly to ensure you’re insured legally.
FAQs
Can I drive an untaxed car to an MOT?
Yes, only to attend a pre-booked MOT test.
Does tax auto-renew for my car?
No — you must actively renew unless your tax is set to auto-renew via a Direct Debit arrangement.
What if GOV.UK shows “no record”?
That usually means no valid tax currently exists. Double-check registration or contact DVLA if you think there’s an error.
Does untaxed mean uninsured?
Not necessarily, but some insurers may refuse claims if tax status is invalid. Always maintain both valid insurance and tax.
Can temporary insurance cover a tax gap?
Yes — temporary insurance can help you cover the gap while you renew your car tax, since a valid insurance policy is required to tax a vehicle. It doesn’t replace the need for tax, but allows you to get insured so you can legally renew it.
With Briefly, you can take out one-day car insurance and seven day car insurance.
