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What Is A Car Tax Check?

A car tax check lets you instantly verify the road tax status (Vehicle Excise Duty – VED) of any UK-registered vehicle. Commonly called road tax, VED is a legal requirement for driving or parking a vehicle on public roads in the UK. Our free car tax check tells you if a vehicle is currently taxed, when it expires, and how much it costs to renew.

How to Get a Free Car Tax Check

To check car tax:

Enter the vehicle registration number above and instantly receive a free report that includes:

• Current tax status (taxed or untaxed)
• Tax expiry date
• Days left until expiry
• VED cost for 6 and 12 months

This service helps buyers avoid fines and ensure vehicles are legally compliant before purchase.

What Are the Current UK Car Tax Rates?

Car tax rates in the UK vary based on a vehicle’s:

• CO₂ emissions
• Engine size
• Date of first registration
• List price (for new cars over £40,000)

Rates are set by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) , and your free tax check will show exactly what you need to pay for any UK vehicle.

What Affects the Cost of Car Tax?

Factor	Applies To	Impact
Engine size	Cars registered before 1 April 2001	Larger engines = higher tax
CO2 emissions	Cars registered 1 April 2001–31 March 2017 Cars registered from 1 April 2017 - first year tax payments only	Higher emissions = higher tax band
List price over £40,000	Cars registered from 1 April 2017	Additional £425/year for years 2–6
Fuel type	Some bands differ for diesel or alternative fuels	May affect CO2 calculation

Annual Updates: The UK Government usually adjusts car tax rates in April each year in line with inflation and policy updates.

Which Vehicles Have the Lowest or Zero Car Tax?

Some vehicles qualify for reduced or zero road tax:

• Electric vehicles (EVs) registered before April 2025 – currently exempt
• Classic cars over 40 years old – qualify for historic vehicle exemption
• Mopeds and certain tricycles – often taxed at lower flat rates

Note: EVs registered from 1 April 2025, are subject to standard VED rates (see below).

Car Tax Changes in 2025

From 1 April 2025, major changes to UK road tax rules took effect:

• Zero-emission vehicles (like EVs) will start paying car tax
• First-year VED for new Zero EVs: £10 and from year two onwards: Standard rate of £195 per year will apply
• EVs with a list price over £40,000: extra £425 per year for 5 years
• Discounts for hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles have been removed

These updates ensure that all road users contribute fairly, regardless of fuel type.

Do I Need to Pay Road Tax if My Vehicle Is Not in Use?

No, but you must declare the vehicle as off-road through a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

Once declared:

• You don’t pay tax.
• The car must be kept on private property (not parked on public roads).
• You may only drive it to a pre-booked MOT.

What Happens If I Don’t Pay Car Tax?

Failing to tax your vehicle can result in:

• An £80 penalty fine (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days)
• Backdated tax charges
• Your vehicle being clamped, impounded, or crushed by the DVLA

What About Tax Rates for Other Vehicles?

Different tax structures apply to:

• Motorhomes
• Motorcycles
• Light goods vehicles (vans)
• Tricycles and quad bikes

Our check includes this data, so you’ll know exactly what applies to your specific vehicle type.