The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a warning to motorists that failing to tax a vehicle can result in a fine of up to £1,000. Vehicle tax, also known as road tax, is a fee for using a motor vehicle on public roads in Britain, with funds allocated to infrastructure improvements such as road upkeep and repairs.
The DVLA emphasised on social media platform X that even if a vehicle is exempt from paying tax, it must still be registered. The agency stated: 'You must tax your vehicle, even if you don't have to pay anything.' To tax a vehicle, motorists need a reference number from a V11 reminder letter, a V5C log book, or a green 'new keeper' slip. If these documents are missing, a replacement log book must be applied for.
Failure to tax a vehicle leads to an out-of-court settlement (OCS) letter with a fixed charge of £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax amount. Non-payment of the OCS can result in the matter being taken to magistrates' court as a criminal offence, with penalties of either £1,000 or five times the taxable amount, whichever is higher. Additionally, vehicles may be clamped, incurring further charges.
Certain vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax, including those used by disabled persons, historic vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1986, mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs, grass-cutting mowers, steam-powered vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and electric heavy goods vehicles over 3,500kg. Proof of eligibility is required for exemptions, and exemptions can be removed if a vehicle is no longer used by a disabled person.
