Guide to New Car Tax Rules

There are a number of different ways that you can buy your car tax, depending on whether you're renewing your tax using a V11 form or a V10 new application.

If you're renewing your tax you'll receive a letter from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about three weeks before your tax disc is due to run out.

You can use the V11 reminder form to renew your car tax online, over the phone by calling 0300 123 4321, by post or in person at the Post Office.

If you don’t have a V11 form, or your vehicle was previously untaxed because it was new, the tax disc has run out or it was off the road, you can use the V10 form instead.

Taxing your vehicle

There are a number of different documents that you'll need in order to get your car taxed:

• A completed V11 reminder or V10 ‘Application for a tax disc'
• Your registration certificate (V5C) or New Keeper section, if using a V10
• A completed V62 ‘Application for a Vehicle Registration Certificate V5C’, if you don’t have a registration certificate
• An MOT test certificate (if your car or motorcycle is over three years old)
• Insurance that offers at least third party cover
• The payment for vehicle tax (unless your car is exempt from paying vehicle tax)

Displaying your tax disc

Your tax disc must be displayed on the passenger side (kerb side) of your car. If there’s no windscreen or you have a motorcycle or sidecar, you should display the tax disc on the kerb side of your vehicle.

If you buy a new tax disc before your old one has expired you must not display your new disc until the old on has expired or you could risk a fine of £200.

Statutory Off Road Notification

If your car is being kept off road and is not taxed, you must apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). You can do this online, over the phone, by post or in person at the Post Office.

Penalties

If you don’t tax your vehicle or make a SORN you could get an automatic penalty of £80 as well as a minimum fine of £1,000. Your car could also be clamped, impounded or even crushed.

Selling your car

If your car has been sold, transferred, scrapped or even exported, you should tell the DVLA as soon as possible. Until the DVLA has been informed, you will be held responsible for taxing the car and could face a fine if the vehicle goes untaxed.

Once you've sent your notification, the DVLA will issue an acknowledgement letter that you should keep as proof that the vehicle record has been changed.