DVLA tells motorists they 'must' tax their car despite being exempt
It is a legal offence in the UK to drive a vehicle on a public road without having valid tax in most cases. There are a few exemptions for paying the tax, but the vehicle still needs to be taxed
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has cautioned that failing to tax a vehicle, even for those exempt from paying, could result in penalties. In the UK, it is an offence to drive a vehicle on public roads without any tax.
Some exemptions to paying tax do exist but the vehicle itself still needs to be taxed. Driving without tax can lead to an £80 fine.
Furthermore, this fine can increase to £1,000 or five times the original tax owed if the case is taken to court. Writing on X (formerly known as Twitter), the DVLA said: "You must tax your vehicle, even if you don't have to pay anything."
All the vehicles exempt from paying tax
Vehicles that are used by a disabled person
Vehicles used by disabled people can be exempt from paying tax as long as the person claims a valid disability benefit, including:
It's crucial to remember that for the vehicle to qualify for exemption, it must be registered in the name of the disabled person or their designated driver. Moreover, the vehicle can only be used for the personal needs of the disabled individual and cannot be driven by the nominated driver for their own personal use.
The vehicle tax exemption can also only be applied to one vehicle at a time, even if multiple vehicles are registered in the name of the disabled person or their nominated driver. Similarly, vehicles used by organisations to provide transport for disabled individuals are also exempt from tax - this does not include ambulances, however.
Mobility vehicles and powered wheelchairs
Certain types of mobility vehicles and powered wheelchairs are exempt from tax provided they meet the following criteria:
Historical vehicles
Vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1985, are exempt from tax.
Electric vehicles
For an electric vehicle (EV) to be tax-exempt, it must possess one of the following:
Agricultural vehicles
Various vehicles used in the agricultural, horticultural, and forestry sectors can be exempt from vehicle tax. This includes tractors and agricultural engines.
Additionally, grass-cutting machines specifically designed for mowing and steam vehicles are also exempt from tax.
How to tax a vehicle
To tax a vehicle, you'll need a reference number which can be found in the vehicle's logbook (V5C), the green 'new keeper' slip from the logbook, or a recent vehicle tax reminder letter from the DVLA.
If you don't have any of these documents, you'll need to request a new log book directly from the DVLA. You can tax a vehicle online, over the phone, or at a Post Office.
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