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 (Cymraeg).

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: 

• the payment for your vehicle tax 
• your bank or building society account details to set up a Direct Debit

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.

If you live in Northern Ireland

To tax your vehicle at a Post Office in Northern Ireland, you’ll also need both:

• a paper copy of an insurance certificate or cover note 
• an original MOT test certificate or evidence of a Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC)

You can provide evidence of your TEC with a screenshot of your vehicle’s MOT history. If you cannot do this, you can show an expired MOT certificate.

You do not need to apply for a new MOT certificate.

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.