Reasons to check car tax
- Avoid driving untaxed. If a renewal reminder goes astray, or a Direct Debit fails, you might not realise your tax has lapsed.
- Check a car before you buy it. A seller's car may show as taxed, but that tax ends when they sell it.
- Confirm a recent change. GOV.UK says records can take up to 2 working days to update after you tax or SORN a vehicle.
Understanding the result
Taxed means VED has been paid (or the vehicle is exempt and taxed at £0) and shows the expiry date. Untaxed means it can't legally be used or kept on a public road. SORN means the keeper has declared it off the road; it can't be driven until it's taxed.
Staying on top of renewals
DVLA sends a V11 reminder before your tax runs out, unless you pay by Direct Debit, which renews automatically. If your Direct Debit is due to renew but the MOT will have expired, DVLA writes to you; once the car passes, the tax renews on the due date.
If you pay by Direct Debit, monthly and 6-monthly payments carry a 5% surcharge; paying yearly has no surcharge. DVLA takes payments on the first working day of the month, and the Direct Debit renews automatically when the tax runs out.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my car tax?
It's worth checking whenever you buy a car, change payment method, or haven't received a reminder you expected.
What does SORN mean?
Statutory Off Road Notification. It tells DVLA a vehicle is kept off the road, so it doesn't need tax but can't be driven.