Policy paper

Vehicle enforcement policy

Updated 12 October 2020

This document sets out the DVLA enforcement policy for vehicle tax and registration in the UK. It describes the principles and practices supporting the action taken on non-compliance, and sets out the specific offences or penalties that apply. Find out more about the offences or penalties that apply.

1. Vehicle tax

All vehicles that are used or kept on a public road must be taxed. Find out about the rates of vehicle tax.

DVLA is responsible for collecting vehicle tax and maintaining an accurate register of vehicles and their keepers to support this.

2. Vehicle tax requirements

It is the responsibility of the vehicle keeper to make sure that their vehicle is properly taxed. The vehicle keeper must do one of the following:

• make sure a valid licence is in force
• make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) if the vehicle is kept off the public road

To help vehicle keepers to tax their vehicles on time, DVLA issues:

• a V11 or V85/1 reminder to the registered keeper recorded on DVLA vehicle register about 3 weeks before the renewal date; this reminds keepers that the vehicle tax is due to expire and provides advice on how to tax or make a SORN (non-receipt of the reminder is not considered a justifiable reason for failing to tax the vehicle or make a SORN)
• Direct Debit email reminders
• Direct Debit renewal reminders

You must tell DVLA if you have changed address. The address on the V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book) must be updated separately to the driving licence address.

Vehicle keepers can check whether their vehicle is taxed or declared as off the road.

The registered keeper is legally responsible for taxing the vehicle or making a SORN until DVLA is notified of one of the following:

• the vehicle has been sold
• the vehicle is transferred to insurance company if it has been involved in a serious accident
• the vehicle has been sold to the trade
• the vehicle has been scrapped through an authorised treatment facility (ATF)
• the vehicle has been exported

All new vehicle keepers must make sure that they tax the vehicle they have bought before using it on the road. A new keeper can tax their vehicle online by using the 12 digit reference number on the new keeper supplement (V5C/2).

3. Foreign vehicles in the UK

Keepers of foreign registered vehicles who do not comply with UK registration and licensing requirements may face enforcement action which could include wheelclamping, removal and disposal of the vehicle. Read more about using a foreign registered vehicle in the UK.

4. If the registered keeper no longer has the vehicle

Failure to notify change of keeper or to notify sale or transfer to the motor trade, insurer or dismantler is a registration offence and may result in a penalty notice being issued. Failure to pay could result in the registered keeper being taken to court. Find out how to tell DVLA that you have sold or transferred your vehicle.

If you pay your vehicle tax by Direct Debit you need to tell DVLA about any changes. Once you have told us that you no longer have the vehicle your Direct Debit will automatically stop.

5. Sightings of untaxed vehicles on public roads

Sightings of untaxed vehicles being used on the public road may be reported to DVLA. This information is provided by:

• police officers
• local authority enforcement officers
• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras
• DVLA’s wheelclamping contractor
• members of the public

6. What enforcement action will be taken if a vehicle is untaxed or does not have a SORN

6.1 For offences identified from DVLA’s vehicle register

DVLA conducts regular scans of the vehicle register to identify registered keepers who fail to renew their tax or do not have a SORN in force.

Enforcement action may result in one or more of the following:

• the vehicle keeper receives a late licensing penalty (LLP)
• out of court settlement (OCS)
• a request for the outstanding balance of vehicle tax
• prosecution
• unpaid debt may be passed to a debt collection agency or if the case goes to court the court may take charge in recovery of penalty or fines
• vehicle subject to wheelclamping
• you could be stopped from using DVLA’s Direct Debit payment option if you have failed payments

6.2 For offences identified from on-road sightings

Where an untaxed vehicle is identified as being used or kept on the public road the following enforcement action may be taken:

• DVLA will issue an OCS letter and failure to pay may result in the keeper being prosecuted
• the vehicle could be clamped and removed to a vehicle pound where it may be later disposed of
• some police forces, local authorities and DVLA’s wheelclamping contractor have the power to clamp vehicles; this action will only be taken following a check of the DVLA register

Read further details of specific offences and the relevant enforcement action for each.

To recover an impounded vehicle the registered keeper will need to:

• produce the V5C registration certificate (log book) or complete a V62 application for a replacement registration certificate and the appropriate fee to register the vehicle in their name
• produce photographic proof of identity and proof of address, such as an utility bill
• provide proof that the vehicle has been taxed or pay the surety fee
• pay any impound fees

7. Vehicle insurance

The law requires all UK motorists to have valid motor insurance. It is an offence to drive a vehicle or allow it to be driven without insurance. The minimum requirement is for the driver to hold third party insurance that covers their use of that vehicle. Read more information about uninsured drivers.

Continuous insurance enforcement (CIE) makes it an offence to be the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle. DVLA is responsible for enforcement action against the registered keepers in England, Scotland and Wales who do not have a motor insurance policy in place. CIE does not currently apply to Northern Ireland.

8. Vehicle insurance requirements

The registered keeper is responsible for:

• making sure valid insurance is in place
• making a SORN to DVLA if the vehicle is untaxed, uninsured and off the public road

9. How continuous insurance enforcement (CIE) offences are identified

The DVLA vehicle register is checked regularly against the Motor Insurance Database (MID) which is managed by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) to identify uninsured vehicles.

10. What enforcement action will be taken for CIE offences

The MIB will send out an insurance advisory letter (IAL) which sets out what options the registered keeper must take to comply with CIE. If the vehicle keeper fails to comply, a fixed penalty notice will be issued and court action taken if it is not paid.

Read further details about the enforcement action.