How to Check Road Tax on a Car by Registration (UK)

What is a road tax check?

A road tax check confirms whether a vehicle is currently taxed for road use. In the UK, every vehicle driven or parked on a public road must be taxed unless it is declared off the road with a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). The check returns the current status and the date the tax is due to expire.

How do you check road tax by registration?

There are two ways, and both need just the number plate.

1. Go to GOV.UK/check-vehicle-tax and enter the registration. This is free and returns the current tax status and expiry date.

2. Or enter the registration in a REGUP check to see the tax status alongside MOT, mileage and other checks in one place.

3. Note whether the tax is current and when it expires.

4. If the car is untaxed, check whether a SORN is in place.

What does "untaxed" mean when buying a car?

If a car is untaxed and does not have a SORN, it should not be on a public road. An untaxed car is not necessarily a problem if the seller has declared it off the road, but you need to tax it before you drive it away. Road tax does not transfer with the car when it is sold, so even if the seller has months of tax remaining, it is cancelled when the DVLA processes the change of keeper. You must tax the vehicle in your own name before driving it.

What are vehicle tax bands?

The annual tax cost depends on the vehicle CO2 emissions, fuel type and date of first registration. Cars registered from April 2017 onward pay a flat standard rate after the first year, plus a supplement if the list price exceeded forty thousand pounds. Older cars are taxed on a sliding scale by emissions band. Electric vehicles currently pay no road tax, although this is scheduled to change. Check the tax band before buying to understand the annual running cost.

What happens if you drive without tax?

Driving an untaxed vehicle on a public road is an offence. The DVLA uses automatic number plate recognition cameras to detect untaxed vehicles. Penalties include a fine of up to one thousand pounds, wheel clamping or the vehicle being impounded. If the car is also uninsured, the penalties are separate and more severe.

Does road tax status affect a car purchase?

Tax status does not directly affect the mechanical condition, but it is a signal. A car that has been continuously taxed and tested suggests an owner who has kept it legal and maintained. A car that has been untaxed for long periods without a SORN may have been standing unused, which can cause its own problems such as perished tyres, flat batteries and seized brakes.

How does a SORN affect the check?

A SORN means the owner has declared the vehicle off the road. It is legal and common, especially for seasonal vehicles or cars awaiting repair. A SORN does not affect the car history, but it means you cannot drive the car on a public road until you tax and insure it. If you are buying a car on a SORN, arrange collection by trailer or transporter, or tax and insure it at the point of purchase before driving away.