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How to check if your car is taxed
Every UK-registered vehicle's tax and MOT status is public information — you don't need to own a car to check it, and you don't need any personal details, just the registration number. Enter it above and you'll see whether the vehicle is currently taxed, when tax is next due, and its MOT status, in seconds.
What to do if your car shows as untaxed
If a vehicle is shown as untaxed and hasn't been declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), it's illegal to keep or drive it on a public road, and DVLA can issue an automatic fine without a reminder letter. You can tax a vehicle instantly online at gov.uk/vehicle-tax using the reference number from your V5C logbook or a renewal reminder (V11).
Road tax vs VED — same thing, different names
"Road tax", "car tax" and "VED" (Vehicle Excise Duty) all refer to the same annual charge. The amount depends on your vehicle's CO2 emissions and first registration date, and it's paid to the DVLA, not your local council (that's a common mix-up with Council Tax, which is a completely separate charge on where you live).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this car tax checker free?▼
Yes, checking a vehicle's tax and MOT status on this page is completely free, with no signup or account required.
How accurate is the data?▼
Results are pulled from live, DVLA-linked vehicle records via a licensed data provider, the same underlying data as the official gov.uk vehicle tax checker.
What happens if my car shows as untaxed?▼
If a vehicle is untaxed and not declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), it's illegal to keep it on a public road. You can tax it instantly online at gov.uk using your V5C reference number or the 16-digit reference from a renewal reminder.
Can I check any UK vehicle, not just my own?▼
Yes, tax and MOT status are public information for any UK-registered vehicle, exactly as the official government checker allows. You cannot see personal information about the registered keeper.
Why does the checker sometimes show 'not found'?▼
This usually means the registration was entered incorrectly, the vehicle is very newly registered and not yet in the database, or it's a non-UK plate. Double-check the plate against the V5C logbook and try again.
How much will my car tax actually cost?▼
This tool checks current tax status, not cost. For the amount you'll actually pay based on your vehicle's CO2 emissions and registration date, use the Car Tax (VED) Calculator.