Listed below are the foundations and the best way to apply
This BMW 3 Collection ought to qualify subsequent yr (Picture: Sue Thatcher through Getty Pictures)
Almost two million motors on British roads qualify totally free highway tax via a DVLA programme. Primarily based on The Federation of British Historic Car Golf equipment’ (FBHVC) 2025 Nationwide Historic Car Survey (NHVS), there have been 1,934,178 historic autos registered with the DVLA final yr.
The statistics encompassed vehicles, motorbikes, lorries and buses. The survey revealed that the UK housed an estimated 690,777 historic car house owners and greater than 22.7 million adults thought of historic autos as a vital aspect of Britain’s heritage.
It additionally found that 9.7 million individuals expressed they’d fancy proudly owning one and 4.3 million visited a historic car occasion within the earlier yr – a 100% rise since 2020. Below DVLA laws, a motor that’s greater than 40 years previous qualifies totally free highway tax.
The best way to pay zero DVLA highway tax
A motor turns into eligible within the April of the yr by which it reaches 40 years previous. For example, if a basic Ford Escort or BMW 3 Collection was manufactured earlier than January 1, 1985, it grew to become eligible for complimentary highway tax from April 1, 2025.
The Ford Escort Mk4 was offered within the UK between 1986 and 1990, which means some fashions will quickly qualify totally free tax (Picture: umdash9 through Getty Pictures)
The identical will apply in 2026 and so forth. The DVLA additionally clarifies that in case you’re uncertain when your car was manufactured, but it surely was first registered earlier than January 8 of the yr in query 40 years in the past, you may nonetheless apply to stop paying car tax.
This implies most proprietors of vehicles and different autos older than 40 years can apply. Your car is not going to be exempt from car tax if it is used for rent or reward – for instance, it is used as a taxi for paying prospects – or if it is used commercially for a commerce or enterprise.
The essential level to recollect is that the rule would not merely imply you could stop taxing your automotive or bike. It’s important to grasp that drivers nonetheless want to use for highway tax, even when they don’t seem to be paying something for it.
If you happen to’re doing it for the primary time, there are some steps to take to use for the exemption. This entails visiting a Publish Workplace that handles car tax.
Tax nonetheless must be utilized for (Picture: Yau Ming Low through Getty Pictures)
It’s good to deliver the log e-book (V5C) in your title, your car tax reminder letter (V11), when you’ve got one, proof of a present MOT (in case your car wants one) – for instance, a duplicate of your car’s MOT historical past or your MOT certificates, when you’ve got one, and proof in case your car’s exempt from an MOT (V112).
If you happen to don’t have the log e-book, obtain and full an utility for a log e-book (V62). Deliver it to the Publish Workplace with the £25 payment.
Individuals in Northern Eire should present a legitimate MOT certificates that covers the interval when the tax begins, together with an insurance coverage certificates or cowl be aware. The Publish Workplace will ahead the car’s log e-book to the DVLA, which can subsequently subject an up to date log e-book.
Any refund owed will even be dispatched inside six weeks. Motorists can proceed utilizing their car while the applying is being processed.
After making use of for the exemption, the DVLA will ship a car tax reminder letter in subsequent years earlier than the tax expires. Motorists might want to tax their car, however no fee shall be required.
The DVLA emphasises that driving an untaxed car is illegitimate. Motorists face an £80 advantageous in the event that they fail to tax their car on time.
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Following the publication of the 2025 survey, David Whale, chairman of the FBHVC, stated: “This report underlines simply how very important the historic car sector is to Britain’s financial system, tradition and communities. It is value a file 7.3 billion kilos a yr, helps 34,500 expert jobs, and unites thousands and thousands of individuals via a shared love of our motoring heritage.
“However we can not take that success without any consideration. The typical proprietor is now of their sixties, and we urgently must encourage and practice the following technology. Programmes like our new Youngtimer initiative and business apprenticeships are key to making sure these autos – and the talents to take care of them – survive for the long run.”
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