Free Car Tax Checker UK
Enter a UK registration to check whether the vehicle is taxed, untaxed or declared SORN using official DVLA data.
One free check includes
MOT status & expiryFull MOT historyTax / SORN statusRecorded mileageVehicle detailsYour registration is used to retrieve the vehicle information requested. See our Privacy Policy for details.
What You Get
What You Get With a Free Vehicle Tax Check
Enter any UK registration to view the vehicle's current tax status, tax expiry date, SORN status, MOT status and key DVLA vehicle details using official DVLA data.
Why MotR
Why Choose MotR
Official DVLA Data
Tax status, SORN status and vehicle identity come from the DVLA; MOT data comes from the DVSA.
Understand Your Vehicle
MotR helps you understand your vehicle's tax status, SORN position and key DVLA details at a glance.
Fast Results
Enter a registration and get your vehicle tax report in seconds.
Plain-English Information
Tax status and SORN explained in clear, simple language.
Completely Free
Check any vehicle's tax status and key details at no cost.
Save & Track
Create a free account to save vehicles and set tax reminders.
Beyond the Data
What You'll Discover
MotR doesn't just show raw tax data — it helps you understand your vehicle's tax position, SORN status and key DVLA details in one clear report.
Tax Expiry Reminders
Save the vehicle and set a free reminder so you never miss the tax renewal date.
SORN Information
See whether the vehicle has a SORN in place, meaning it is declared off-road and untaxed.
Fuel Type
View the registered fuel type — petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric — from DVLA records.
Vehicle Identity
Confirm the make, model, colour and year of manufacture match what you expect.
MOT Status
Check whether the vehicle has a valid MOT alongside its tax status.
Current Tax and SORN Position
See the vehicle's latest available tax status, tax due date and SORN position alongside other official vehicle details.
Report Preview
See Your Vehicle Tax Report
MotR presents tax data in a clear format, with SORN status, MOT status and key vehicle details so you can understand the full picture.
Registration
Vehicle
Example Make Model
2020 · Blue
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax Expiry
01 November 2026
MOT Status
Valid
SORN Status
Not SORN
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2020
Tax Summary
This vehicle is currently taxed and the tax expires on 01 November 2026. The vehicle is not subject to a SORN. The MOT is valid. Always verify the latest status with the DVLA before driving.
This is only a preview. Your live report includes the complete tax status, SORN status, MOT status and key DVLA vehicle details.
Simple Process
How It Works
Enter Registration
Type any UK vehicle registration into the search box. No account or payment needed.
View Tax Report
See tax status, tax expiry date, SORN status, MOT status and key DVLA vehicle details instantly.
Understand Your Vehicle
MotR explains what the tax status and SORN mean, so you know exactly what to do next.
Why It Matters
Why Vehicle Tax Matters
Vehicle tax is a legal requirement. Understanding the rules helps you avoid fines, enforcement and the risk of having your vehicle clamped or seized.
Driving Without Tax
It is illegal to drive or keep an untaxed vehicle on a public road without a valid reason. The only exception is driving to or from a pre-booked MOT or other qualifying testing appointment.
Automatic Enforcement
DVLA uses ANPR cameras to detect untaxed vehicles automatically. You do not need to be stopped by police to be caught.
Fines
Being the registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle can result in a late licensing penalty of £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. For an untaxed vehicle on a public road, separate enforcement including out-of-court settlements, prosecution and clamping may apply.
Continuous Taxation
Vehicle tax is continuous. If you own the vehicle, it must be taxed or SORN at all times unless it has been sold, scrapped or exported.
Buying a Used Car
Tax does not transfer with the vehicle when it is sold. The new owner must tax the vehicle before driving it away.
Clamping and Seizure
Untaxed vehicles on public roads can be clamped, impounded or crushed. Release fees and storage charges apply.
SORN Explained
SORN: Statutory Off Road Notification
If you are not using your vehicle and it is off the public road, you can declare it SORN instead of taxing it. Here is what you need to know.
What SORN Means
SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It is a declaration to the DVLA that your vehicle is being kept off the public road and is not being used, so it does not need to be taxed.
Read about what SORN isWhen SORN Applies
You must make a SORN if you do not tax your vehicle and it is not being driven on public roads. This includes vehicles in a garage, on a driveway or on private land that is not a public road.
How to SORN a carWhen You Cannot Drive
A SORN vehicle cannot be driven on a public road. The only exception is driving to or from a pre-booked MOT or other qualifying testing appointment. Driving a SORN vehicle at any other time is illegal.
Can you drive a SORN car?When Tax Is Required Again
To drive or park the vehicle on a public road again, you must tax it before doing so. The SORN is automatically cancelled when you tax the vehicle.
How to tax a carTax Bands
Vehicle Tax Bands by Fuel Type
Vehicle tax rates depend on the fuel type and, for cars registered after April 2017, the CO2 emissions recorded when the vehicle was first registered.
Rates shown apply from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Last reviewed: 27 July 2026. See the current GOV.UK vehicle-tax rates.
Petrol
Petrol vehicles are taxed based on CO2 emissions. The first year rate depends on the CO2 band, followed by a standard rate from the second year onwards.
Diesel
Diesel vehicles that do not meet the RDE2 standard may attract a higher first-year tax rate. The standard rate applies from the second year.
Hybrid
Hybrid and alternatively fuelled vehicles are taxed based on their CO2 band for the first year, followed by the standard annual rate from the second year. The former £10 annual discount has ended.
Electric
From 1 April 2025, zero-emission cars are liable for road tax. The first-year rate is £10, followed by the standard annual rate of £200 from the second year.
Tax rates and bands are set by the DVLA and may change. Always check the current rates on GOV.UK. See our road tax cost guide for current rates.
Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicle Road Tax
Current UK rules for electric vehicle road tax, based on DVLA guidance.
Zero-Emission Cars Registered on or after 1 April 2025
From 1 April 2025, zero-emission cars are liable for Vehicle Excise Duty. A zero-emission car registered on or after that date pays a first-year rate of £10, followed by the standard annual rate of £200 from the second tax payment onwards.
Older Zero-Emission Cars
Zero-emission cars registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025 pay the standard annual rate of £200. Zero-emission cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pay £20 per year. Different rate systems apply to vehicles registered before 1 April 2017.
Expensive Car Supplement
The Expensive Car Supplement adds £440 per year for five years, beginning with the second tax payment. For petrol, diesel and other non-zero-emission cars, it applies when the original list price was more than £40,000. For zero-emission cars, it applies when the original list price was more than £50,000. The supplement is paid on top of the standard rate.
Tax rules for electric vehicles are subject to change. Always verify the current position with the DVLA or GOV.UK.
Penalties
Tax Penalties for Untaxed Vehicles
Driving or keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road can result in fines, clamping, seizure and fixed penalties. The DVLA enforces vehicle tax automatically.
Late Licensing Penalty
If you are the registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle identified from DVLA records, a late licensing penalty of £80 is issued, reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. Unpaid debt may be referred for collection.
ANPR Enforcement
The DVLA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect untaxed vehicles used or kept on public roads. For an untaxed vehicle on a public road, separate enforcement action may apply beyond the late licensing penalty.
Clamping
Untaxed vehicles found on a public road can be wheel-clamped by DVLA enforcement agents. The current clamp-release fee is £100 when paid within the first 24 hours. You must also tax the vehicle and pay any outstanding penalties.
Seizure and Impoundment
If an untaxed vehicle is not claimed after clamping, it can be removed to a DVLA vehicle pound. The impound-release fee is £200, plus a storage fee of £21 per day. The vehicle may be disposed of if it is not collected within a set period.
Out-of-Court and Court Action
For an untaxed vehicle used or kept on a public road, an out-of-court settlement may be offered. If not resolved, prosecution can follow. Court action can result in fines of up to £1,000, with higher amounts possible if the vehicle is in a dangerous condition.
What's Included
Everything Included In Your Free Tax Check
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. MotR's vehicle tax checker is completely free. You can check any UK vehicle's tax status, tax expiry date, SORN status, MOT status and key DVLA vehicle details at no cost. No account or payment is required.
Learn More
Related Tax Guides
Trusted & Secure
Why Drivers Trust MotR
Official DVLA Data
Every tax status result comes from the government's DVLA database.
Privacy Protected
Your registration is used to retrieve the vehicle information requested. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Free to Use
Check vehicle tax status and key details at no cost — no account required.
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Use the combined MOT and tax checker to review both statuses together.
Check Your Vehicle Tax Now
Enter any UK registration to see tax status, tax expiry date, SORN status, MOT status and key DVLA vehicle details in seconds.
UK Vehicle Tax Information Guide
Essential Vehicle Tax Knowledge
Understanding UK vehicle tax, SORN, tax bands and enforcement rules.
How UK Vehicle Tax Works
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as road tax or vehicle tax, is a tax levied on most vehicles used or parked on public roads in the UK. It is administered by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). Vehicle tax is continuous — it must be paid for as long as the vehicle is on the road, unless it is declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), sold, scrapped or exported.
Since October 2014, vehicle tax no longer transfers with the vehicle when it is sold. When you buy a vehicle, you must tax it before you can legally drive it on a public road. The seller receives an automatic refund for any full months of remaining tax. See our guide to taxing a used car.
The DVLA Tax System
The DVLA maintains the UK vehicle register and is responsible for collecting vehicle tax. You can tax a vehicle online via GOV.UK, by phone, or at a Post Office that handles vehicle tax. You will need your V5C reference number (from the vehicle's logbook) or the reference number from a V11 reminder letter. See our guide to taxing a car.
Vehicle tax can be paid annually, every six months, or by monthly Direct Debit. Monthly Direct Debit spreads the cost across the year with no additional surcharge. Learn more in our road tax cost guide.
Vehicle Tax Classes
For cars and light vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2017, the tax system has two parts: a first-year rate based on CO2 emissions, followed by a standard annual rate from the second year onwards. The former £10 annual discount for hybrid and alternatively fuelled vehicles has ended.
Swipe to view →
| Fuel type | First-year rate | Standard annual rate (year 2+) |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | Based on CO2 band | £200 |
| Diesel (meeting RDE2) | Based on CO2 band | £200 |
| Diesel (not meeting RDE2) | Higher applicable diesel band | £200 |
| Alternative fuel and hybrid | Based on CO2 band | £200 (no £10 discount) |
| Zero-emission electric (from Apr 2025) | £10 | £200 |
Rates shown are for vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2017. Different rate systems apply to vehicles registered before 1 April 2017. Tax rates are set by the DVLA and may change — always verify current rates on GOV.UK.
Expensive Car Supplement
Historic Vehicle Tax Exemption
From 1 April 2026, a vehicle built before 1 January 1986 may be eligible for the historic vehicle tax class, provided the relevant conditions are met. The vehicle must generally not have been substantially changed within the relevant period. Eligibility is not automatically applied — the keeper must apply to place the vehicle in the historic tax class. The qualifying cut-off rolls forward annually. See our road tax cost guide and the GOV.UK historic-vehicles guidance for more details.
Electric Vehicle Road Tax
From 1 April 2025, zero-emission cars are liable for Vehicle Excise Duty. Zero-emission cars registered on or after 1 April 2025 pay a first-year rate of £10, followed by the standard annual rate of £200 from the second tax payment onwards. Zero-emission cars registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025 pay £200 per year. Zero-emission cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pay £20 per year. See our full electric car road tax guide and the GOV.UK zero and low-emission vehicle-tax guidance.
Expensive Car Supplement for zero-emission cars
SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)
If you do not tax your vehicle and it is not being used on a public road, you must declare it SORN. A SORN means the vehicle is officially off-road and cannot be driven on public roads — the only exception is driving to or from a pre-booked MOT or other qualifying testing appointment. A SORN lasts indefinitely until you tax the vehicle, sell it, scrap it or export it. See our SORN guide and our guide to making a SORN.
Common Vehicle Tax Mistakes
Swipe to view →
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Assuming tax transfers when buying | Tax does not transfer. You must tax the vehicle before driving it. |
| Driving to an MOT without tax | Only legal for a pre-booked MOT or other qualifying testing appointment. You must drive directly to or from the test. |
| Forgetting to tax after SORN expires | A SORN is cancelled automatically when you tax the vehicle, but you must do this before driving. |
| Not declaring SORN for an untaxed vehicle | Keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road without a SORN can result in fines and clamping. |
| Assuming EVs are tax-free | From April 2025, zero-emission cars are liable for Vehicle Excise Duty. |
Driving without valid tax can result in a late licensing penalty of £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days.
Tax Checks When Buying a Used Car
Before buying a used car, always check the tax status using MotR. Enter the seller's registration to see whether the vehicle is currently taxed, what the tax expiry date is, and whether a SORN is in place. Remember that tax does not transfer with the vehicle — you will need to tax it yourself before driving it away. See our guide to taxing a used car and our DVLA buying checklist.
Check before you buy
Tax Before You Drive
If you have just bought a vehicle, you must tax it before driving it on a public road. You can tax it online via GOV.UK using the V5C reference number from the new keeper supplement (the green section of the V5C). It is illegal to drive an untaxed vehicle — the only exception is driving to or from a pre-booked MOT or other qualifying testing appointment. See our guide to the consequences of not taxing your car.
Related Tax Guides & Tools
What Is SORN? →
Off-road notification explained
How to Tax a Car →
Step-by-step guide
Electric Car Road Tax →
EV tax rules from 2025
Road Tax Cost Guide →
Current rates and bands
Tax & SORN Guide →
Complete tax and SORN guide
How to SORN a Car →
Making a SORN declaration
Driving a SORN Car →
When it's legal
Tax Refund Guide →
Getting money back
Taxing a Used Car →
Tax after buying
Untaxed Penalties →
Fines and enforcement
Change Registered Keeper →
Updating the V5C
MOT Checker →
Check MOT status
Sources: GOV.UK Vehicle Tax; DVLA Vehicle Tax Rates; GOV.UK SORN; DVLA Vehicle Enforcement; GOV.UK Historic Vehicles; GOV.UK Zero and Low-Emission Vehicle Tax; Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. Always verify critical information directly with the relevant official source.