Drivers have been urged to complete a “five minute” task to make sure they avoid a fine of up to £1,000. Setting up an online account could ensure you never miss a car tax payment.
In a post made to social media platform X, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), encouraged people to set up a driver and vehicles account on GOV.UK. You can then opt in for car tax reminders sent to your phone.
Car tax, which is also known to as vehicle tax or road tax, is a fee for using a motor vehicle on Britain's public roads.
The funds are then allocated towards infrastructure improvements including road upkeep and repairs.
You can choose to pay this annually or as a monthly bill. Failing to pay your vehicle tax will result in a fine, which can grow to as much as £1,000 if the case goes to court.
Set up your Driver and vehicles account on https://t.co/60rBEjkomV and you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email.
Do it today – it only takes 5 minutes: https://t.co/DXTn3olbi0#DVLADigital pic.twitter.com/qJUletYSpd
Your car could also be clamped or impounded if it isn’t taxed and is parked on a public road. On X, the DVLA said: “Set up your driver and vehicles account on http://GOV.UK and you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email.
“Do it today – it only takes five minutes: http://gov.uk/dvla/account.”
To tax your vehicle, you will require a reference number from either:
If you are unable to locate these documents, you will need to apply for a replacement log book. Tax payments can be made using debit or credit card, or through setting up a direct debit.
Some vehicles are exempt from paying tax. However, you're still obliged to register your vehicle for tax despite no payment being required.
The DVLA's website explains: "You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything, for example if you're exempt because you're disabled." If you fail to tax your vehicle, you'll be sent an out of court settlement (OCS) letter.
The charge is fixed at £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax amount. Failure to pay the OCS could result in the matter being escalated to the magistrates' court as a criminal offence, with penalties reaching either £1,000 or five times the taxable amount, whichever is higher.
Additionally, your vehicle could be clamped, potentially leading to further charges. However, certain vehicles are exempt from this payment.
If your car is used by a disabled person, you can claim the disability exemption when it's time to tax your vehicle. Of course, proof of eligibility for the disability exemption will be required.
The DVLA says: "You can remove an exemption from a vehicle if it's no longer being used by a disabled person. You can only use your exemption on one vehicle at a time. If you have more than one vehicle, you'll need to choose which one will be exempt from vehicle tax."
Vehicles operated by organisations that provide transport services for disabled individuals are also exempt from tax, although this does not extend to ambulances.
Historic vehicles, specifically those manufactured before 1 January 1985, are not subject to vehicle tax. Other exempt vehicles include:
Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs that do not exceed 8mph on roads and 4mph on footpaths
For more information, visit the Government website here.
