However, there are a limited number of exceptions when you are permitted to drive an untaxed car. An untaxed car could be impounded by the police — leading to an expensive and inconvenient procedure to release your vehicle. What is car tax? The money goes into government funds and is not specifically earmarked for car-related spending.
Car tax is charged at two rates: an initial higher rate in the first year after a car is registered, then a lower rate for subsequent years. The amount you pay in the first year is determined by the carbon dioxide emissions generated by your chosen vehicle. When should you pay tax on a vehicle? The dealership may be able to tax the car for you in your name if they have your insurance details.
This might be done over the phone, so that when you arrive to collect your new vehicle, everything is ready for you to drive away without a hitch. Use the digit number on the V5C certificate to tax your vehicle online or at a branch of the Post Office before you head out onto the road. Before , a seller used to be able to transfer road tax to a new owner of a vehicle, under the previous paper tax disc system.
This is no longer the case; when a vehicle is sold, any outstanding car tax is refunded to the seller and the new buyer must pay car tax in their own name. The paper tax discs drivers used to display in their windscreens gave a clear indication of whether a car was taxed, tipping off any passing police officer.
Since the discs were scrapped there has been a large increase in car tax evasion; in , only , drivers dodged the payment but in this figure rose to , drivers.
If you have trouble remembering when your tax is due, why not make yourself a calendar reminder? You should also receive a reminder in the post. This is on top of all the other consequences of court action, such as legal fees, inconvenience and the possible impact of having a criminal record. If your car is clamped by the DVLA, you should be entitled to have your car released if you pay up for any outstanding car tax within 24 hours.
The DVLA keeps a database of all vehicles in the UK, and each month a check is run to see which cars have not been taxed. Unless you have taken out a Statutory Off-Road Notification SORN to say your vehicle is kept off-road, then a fine will be issued to the registered keeper. Car tax must be paid for any vehicle which is kept on public roads. Buying a vehicle When you buy a vehicle the vehicle tax is no longer transferred with it so you must tax your vehicle immediately before you drive it.
Selling a vehicle If you sell a vehicle and you have notified DVLA, you will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax. Vehicle tax refunds If you tell the DVLA you no longer have a vehicle or it's off-road, you'll get a refund for any full months of remaining tax. The refund is calculated from the date the DVLA receives the information and the payment will be sent to name and address in the vehicles registration document.
You must tell the DVLA if your vehicle has been:. Paying vehicle tax by Direct Debit As well as paying your car tax every 6 months or yearly, you can now pay by monthly direct debit. Valid insurance should also be in place for vehicles registered in Northern Ireland. Checking the tax status of a vehicle You can check the tax status of any vehicle online.
This can also be used for rental vehicles. Enforcement Just because you don't have to display a tax disc doesn't mean you can get away with not paying it, if anything you're more likely to be caught now than before. The DVLA has a digital record of payments and a paper tax disc is no longer necessary as proof. Automatic number plate recognition cameras will spot you if you haven't paid your tax.
The DVLA also has the power to clamp untaxed vehicles. You also run the risk of invalidating your insurance, or having a claim rejected if you break the law by failing to tax your vehicle. Your car could even be impounded if you go too long without paying your car tax. All of this on top of your clamping fees, prosecution costs, and fines. So honestly? As we explained in our guide to vehicle tax, some car owners have to apply for their vehicle tax but are exempt from paying.
You may be exempt if you:. The good news is that the law recognises these situations. By law, cars must be taxed at the point of sale. When someone sells their car, their car tax is not transferred to the new owner. So if you buy a used car, it will be untaxed. You can use this certificate to tax the car online , and you should ideally do so before you even drive home. Read our guide to getting affordable comprehensive car insurance here.
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