Road Tax in the UK: What It Is, What It Costs, and What Happens If It Lapses
Road tax, properly called Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), is a legal requirement for any vehicle used or kept on public roads in the UK. Since the paper tax disc was abolished in 2014, there's no physical reminder on your windscreen. The entire system is digital, enforced by ANPR cameras, and the responsibility is entirely yours.
How VED is calculated
The amount you pay depends on when your car was first registered:
- Registered before 1 March 2001: Based on engine size (under/over 1,549cc)
- Registered 1 March 2001-31 March 2017: Based on CO2 emissions, 13 bands from A (free) to M (£695/year)
- Registered from 1 April 2017: First-year rate based on CO2, then a flat standard rate of £190/year (or £600 for cars that cost over £40,000 new, for 5 years)
- Electric vehicles: Were exempt until April 2025, now pay the standard rate of £190/year
What happens if it lapses
If your VED expires and you haven't renewed or declared SORN:
- You'll receive an £80 fixed penalty (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days)
- If you ignore it, prosecution can follow with a fine of up to £1,000
- Your vehicle can be clamped or impounded, release costs start at £100 plus daily storage fees
- ANPR cameras automatically flag untaxed vehicles to the DVLA
SORN, when your car is off the road
If your vehicle isn't being used or kept on a public road, you must declare a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). A SORN remains in place until you tax the vehicle again or sell it. While SORN'd, you don't need to pay VED, but the vehicle must not be parked on any public road, even briefly.
Common misconception: tax transfers with the car
It doesn't. When you sell a vehicle, the remaining tax is cancelled and refunded to the seller. The new owner must tax the vehicle before driving it away, even if you've just agreed the sale. Many buyers get caught out by this.
How to check your tax status
Enter your registration at vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk. You'll see whether the vehicle is taxed, when it expires, and its SORN status.
How Revn helps
Revn tracks your road tax expiry alongside your MOT and insurance dates. You get a days-remaining countdown at a glance, plus push notifications using the same configurable alert cadence, so you never find out via a penalty notice.
Further reading
Why 6 million UK cars are driven without a valid MOT every year →The true annual cost of running a car in the UK →What happens to your insurance if your MOT expires? →FAQ
How much is road tax in the UK?
For most cars registered after April 2017, the standard rate is £190/year. Older cars vary by CO2 emissions or engine size. Electric vehicles now pay £190/year from April 2025.
What is SORN and when do I need it?
SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declares your vehicle is not being used on public roads. You need it if your car is stored off-road and you don't want to pay VED.
Does road tax transfer when I sell my car?
No. The remaining tax is refunded to the seller. The new owner must tax the vehicle before driving it.
Sources: DVLA, gov.uk vehicle tax rates, ANPR enforcement data
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