Skip paying road tax, face big fines

  • Published
  • By Vicky Stayton
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF Mildenhall --  In the United Kingdom any vehicle used or kept on a public road is legally required to display a valid vehicle license (also known as a tax disc, car tax or road tax).

Displaying a current tax disc shows that drivers have fulfilled their legal obligations, including paying his or her vehicle excise duty.

The disc must be displayed on the left side of the vehicle's windshield showing the registration mark and expiration date.

Drivers will be fined for driving, parking or leaving an untaxed vehicle on a public road.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency keeps records of all vehicles.

The purpose of the tax disc

The tax disc is the first indicator to the police that the vehicle has the necessary test certificate (MoT), is covered by third-party insurance, and that the vehicle tax has been paid.

It also allows the DVLA to ensure the details shown on the vehicle register are up to date and accurate when the vehicle is re-taxed.

Cost of taxing your vehicle

The cost of taxing a vehicle varies depending on the vehicle, engine size, CO2 emissions, fuel type and age.

Most vehicles come under the "Private/Light Goods" class. For more information regarding taxation classes, visit www.dvla.gov.uk.

Tax cost for private/light-goods vehicles, with engines 1,549cc or smaller is £110 for a year or £60.50 for six months. Vehicles with engines larger than 1,549cc cost £175 for a year, and £96.25 for six months.

Motorcycles with engines smaller than 150cc cost £15 for a year; motorcycles, 151cc to 400cc, cost £31 for a year; motorcycles with a 401cc to 600cc engines cost £46 for a year, and motorcycles with engines larger than 600cc cost £62 for a year or £34.10 for six months.

Applying for road tax

Vehicle documentation determines where vehicle owners can make their application. Drivers can make their applications either online at www.dvla. gov.uk, at the post office or in person at the local DVLA office.

Vehicle tax can't be backdated beyond the first date of the month in which you apply.
Any arrears must be paid direct to the DVLA local office.

Vehicle tax documentation checklist

Applications to tax a vehicle won't be accepted if the required documentation is not completed or produced.
-- Vehicle licence application forms V11 or V85/V1 (if applicable) or V10 or V85, must be accompanied with a Registration Document (V5), Registration Certificate (V5C) or a new Keepers Supplement (V5/2 or V5C/2). Forms are available at the local post office.

-- A valid Certificate of Insurance or cover note - a photocopy, fax, renewal notice, policy, receipt or schedule will not be accepted.

-- The certificate or cover note must be valid on the date that the new licence comes into effect, and indicate that it covers the use of the vehicle by the licence applicant.

-- A current MoT test certificate, which must be valid on the date the new tax disc comes into force.

What could happen if I don't pay my vehicle tax?

Registered keepers of untaxed vehicles can be fined a minimum of £1,000.
They are also required to purchase a tax disc, pay arrears of vehicle tax accrued while the vehicle was untaxed and pay a penalty of £80.

The maximum penalty for making a false declaration by declaring Statutory Off Road Notification when the vehicle is actually used or kept on a public road is £5,000 and two years imprisonment. To avoid a penalty owners must make sure they do the following:

-- Ensure tax discs are up to date.

-- Inform the DVLA if a vehicle is sold, transferred, scrapped or exported. Otherwise, owners remain liable for taxing it even though it has been disposed of. Once the DVLA is notified about a sale or transfer they will issue an acknowledgement letter which owners should keep in a safe place.

-- Make a SORN if an owner doesn't intend to use or keep a vehicle on a public road. A SORN declaration is valid for 12 months (provided the vehicle is retained off-road). Failure to renew it (or re-license) will also incur a penalty.

Editor's note: Information for this article was found at www.dvla.gov.uk