That easy textual content or e-mail reminder may very well be the distinction between forgetting to type this essential activity, and ending up in bother with the regulation
Drivers may fall foul of this rule if they are not cautious (Picture: Getty)
Individuals may threat a hefty fantastic in the event that they’re caught driving with out paying a selected invoice. It’s a authorized requirement for nearly all autos within the UK to pay some type of highway tax.
In a publish on X, the Driver and Car Licensing Company (DVLA) mentioned: “Arrange your Driver and autos account on GOV.UK and you’ll select to obtain automobile tax reminders by textual content or e-mail. Do it right this moment – it solely takes 5 minutes.”
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Drivers can join the free service right here, and go for updates by textual content or e-mail when the time to resume is approaching. There are additionally choices to be reminded when your MOT and photocard licence expire, making certain drivers haven’t any excuse to overlook a deadline.
To make use of this service, you need to have both a driving licence issued in England, Scotland or Wales or a automobile log e book (V5C) in your identify. The DVLA provides that drivers “can’t arrange automobile tax reminders if [they] pay by direct debit”.
Paying in month-to-month instalments by way of direct debit as a result of your tax mechanically renews yearly. The DVLA doesn’t ship reminders for these autos to stop drivers from by chance taxing their automobile twice and being charged a number of instances.
What occurs if I do not tax my automobile within the UK?
Within the UK, nearly all autos used on public roads want automobile tax, together with automobiles, vans, motorbikes and HGVs. Even when your automobile is in a £0 tax band, you’re nonetheless legally required to register and apply for automobile tax.
There are a handful of exemptions out there on the GOV.UK web site right here. Except for tax-exempt autos, any driver discovered utilizing a automobile may threat a fantastic of as much as £2,500.
If shopping for from a automotive supplier or showroom, VED needs to be arrange for you. You’ll have to have your personal automotive insurance coverage in place earlier than you possibly can drive away from the showroom. If you’re shopping for privately, you’ll need to organise the highway tax your self and guarantee it is in place earlier than you drive away.
The DVLA is chargeable for implementing non-payment of car tax, and the authority has the ability to clamp your automobile till the right amount of tax is paid. Based on the RAC, the punishment may value drivers who refuse to pay a whole bunch of kilos.
Arrange your Driver and autos account on https://t.co/60rBEjkomV and you’ll select to obtain automobile tax reminders by textual content or e-mail.
Do it right this moment – it solely takes 5 minutes: https://t.co/DXTn3olbi0#DVLADigital pic.twitter.com/42TlIE8mkN
— Driver and Car Licensing Company (@DVLAgovuk) Might 13, 2026
The DVLA mentioned: “If the DVLA system flags up a automobile as being untaxed and never declared SORN, an automatic late licensing penalty letter is issued and a fantastic of £80 shall be despatched to the registered keeper. You gained’t get any factors in your licence, and in case you pay the fantastic inside 33 days you need to obtain a 50% low cost.
“Failure to pay might outcome within the case being referred to a debt assortment company, which is able to add additional prices. If you’re caught utilizing an untaxed automobile on a public highway with out a SORN then an out of court docket settlement letter shall be issued.
“The fantastic is £30 plus one and a half instances the excellent automobile tax. If not paid, as a legal offence. the case could also be adopted by means of the magistrates’ court docket the place the penalty is both £1,000 or 5 instances the quantity of tax chargeable, whichever is larger.
“Driving an untaxed automobile on a public highway with a SORN in pressure will end in an out of court docket letter and a £30 fantastic plus twice the worth of the excellent automobile tax. If unpaid, the case could also be pursued by means of the magistrates’ court docket the place the utmost penalty is £2,500.”
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