Tax your vehicle

Tax your car, motorcycle or other vehicle using a reference number from:

  • a recent vehicle tax reminder or ‘last chance’ warning letter from DVLA
  • your vehicle log book (V5C) - it must be in your name
  • the green ‘new keeper’ slip from a log book if you’ve just bought it

If you do not have any of these documents, you’ll need to apply for a new log book. You can tax your vehicle at the same time.

You can pay by debit or credit card, or Direct Debit.

You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything, for example if you’re exempt because you’re disabled.

You’ll need to meet all the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

This service is also available in Welsh.

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Other ways to apply

Apply by phone

DVLA vehicle tax service
Telephone: 0300 123 4321
24-hour service
Find out about call charges

You cannot pay by Direct Debit over the phone.

At a Post Office

Go to a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax. You need to take either: 

You will not need these payment details if your vehicle is exempt from tax.

You also need to take one of the following:

  • your vehicle log book (V5C) (it must be in your name)
  • the green ‘new keeper’ slip from a log book if you’ve just bought it

You might also need to show evidence of an MOT (it must be valid when the tax starts). For example, a screenshot of your vehicle’s MOT history or your MOT certificate, if you have one.

It can take up to 2 days for MOT information to be updated, so you might not be able to tax your vehicle immediately after it passes its test.

In Northern Ireland, you’ll also need an insurance certificate or cover note and an original MOT test certificate. These must be paper copies.

If the vehicle is off the road

Register that your vehicle is off the road, for example you’re keeping it in a garage. You do not need to tax your vehicle.

Change your car’s tax class to or from ‘disabled’

You may need to change your vehicle’s tax class, for example if either:

  • your car was previously used by a disabled person
  • you’re disabled and taxing your car for the first time

You can only apply at a Post Office.

Part of Buy a vehicle: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check the vehicle before you buy it

    You'll need the vehicle's registration number, make, model and MOT test number. You also need to see the V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book).

    1. Check the details you've been given match DVLA's information
    2. Check the vehicle's MOT history
    3. Check if the vehicle has been recalled because of a safety issue
    4. Check the log book isn't for a stolen vehicle

  2. Step 2 Buy and register the vehicle

    Once you've bought the vehicle, you have to register it. How you register it depends on whether it has a V5C registration certificate (log book).

    1. Find out how to register your vehicle
    2. Get a vehicle log book if you don't have it £25

  3. and Register for MOT reminders

    You must get an MOT for your vehicle every year once it's 3 years old.

    1. Get a reminder when your MOT is due

  4. Step 3 Insure the vehicle

    You must have insurance before you can use your vehicle on the road.

    1. Check if your vehicle is insured on the Motor Insurance Database
    2. Read about vehicle insurance

  5. Step 4 Tax the vehicle

    You need to tax the vehicle before you can use it on the road.

    1. Check how much you’ll have to pay to tax your vehicle
    2. Check when you don't have to pay vehicle tax
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