Free car tax check

Check if your car is taxed using our FREE car tax check.

What's included in our car tax check?

In addition to whether a vehicle has been taxed or not, our tool shows you 20+ data points. If you're buying a pre-owned car, you'll want to know its history, tax status, and current roadworthiness to ensure you can legally drive it on UK roads.
Our report includes important information on:
Manufacturer
Engine size
Car tax status
Model
Colour of the vehicle
Car tax due date
Year of the car
Registration date
Fuel
Co2 emissions
FREE TOOL

Quickly check if your vehicle is taxed in the UK

In the UK, owners of any vehicle driven or kept on a public road have to pay the annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), also called road tax or car tax. Even if a vehicle doesn't require payment due to exemptions (like historic vehicles or those used by disabled persons), you still need to register it as taxed with the DVLA.

The amount of road tax you'll need to pay depends primarily on your car's CO2 emissions and list price. Vehicles registered after April 1, 2017, have first-year tax rates based on CO2 emissions per km, ranging from £0 for zero-emissions vehicles to £2,175 for over 255g/km. After the first year, they switch to a standard rate, with extra charges for diesel vehicles failing to meet emission standards and cars over £40,000, which are taxed higher for five years starting from their second taxation.

Cars registered from March 1, 2001, to March 31, 2017, are taxed based on CO2 emissions, with rates varying by emission bands. Until 2025, those emitting less than 100g/km CO2 are exempt from VED.

With our tool, you can easily confirm your vehicle's tax status and determine the amount of tax you'll need to pay.

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Why check a vehicle's road tax?

The amount of car tax you'll owe depends on your vehicle's age, fuel type, and how much CO2 it releases. Staying on top of when your road tax is due can save you from penalties and keep your driving record clean.

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Penalties for driving without road tax can be severe.

If you're caught driving without car tax and without a SORN (even if you were unaware), the case can lead to a magistrate's court where fines can reach up to £2,500 or five times the amount of the tax chargeable, whichever is greater.
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Checking road tax prevents fraudulent activity.

Accessing vehicle tax records provides insights into a car's legitimacy and ownership history. Fraudulent sellers might attempt to hide the vehicle's past ownership or fabricate its history. Comparing historical mileage with the current odometer reading can expose odometer fraud.

FAQs about car tax in the UK

Learn about car tax requirements, rates, and how to pay in the UK.
What information do I need to use the Car Tax Checker?
All you need is the vehicle's registration number to check a vehicle's car tax status. Once you enter the registration number into the bar, our tool will instantly pull up all the information available from DVLA records.
How often is the data on the Car Tax Checker updated?
Since the information comes directly from the DVLA, it is as up-to-date as their records. The system continuously gathers and reflects with the latest data, so you'll be able to see new changes to a vehicle's tax status with our tool as well.
Can I check the tax status of any vehicle using the Car Tax Checker?
You can check the tax status of any vehicle, as long as you know its registration number. You can use the checker for as many different cars as you like, as many times as you like. However, this tool only applies to vehicles registered in the UK that have been taxed with the DVLA.
What happens if the Car Tax Checker shows my vehicle is not taxed?

If our checker tells you your vehicle is not taxed, you have two options: declare it off the road with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) or pay the vehicle tax on the DVLA website.

If you don't pay road tax or take your vehicle off the road with a SORN, you could face significant penalties. Initially, you might receive a late licensing penalty of £80, which can be halved if you pay it within 33 days. If you're caught driving an untaxed vehicle without a SORN, the fine is £30 plus 1.5x the outstanding vehicle tax. Driving with a SORN will get you a £30 fine plus 2x the outstanding tax value. Failure to settle a fine like this will escalate the issue to court, where you could be fined up to £2,500.

Can I pay my car tax directly through the Car Tax Checker?
Since it's a payment to a government service, you can only pay the VED on the DVLA's website. However, our car tax check offers a direct link to make it easy for you to pay your tax immediately after confirming your vehicle's status.
Does using the Car Tax Checker require me to create an account or log in?

You will have to set up a free account with us before accessing the car tax checker. This is a quick and easy process that only requires your email address and a password. By setting up a free account, you can also set up alerts for when it's time to tax your car for the next year.

Beyond that, you'll have unlimited access to all of our other tools and resources. By adding your vehicle information to your account, you can manage your road tax, MOT certificate, servicing schedule, insurance renewals, car valuation, and more from one easy-to-use dashboard.