Car Tax Check - Check Vehicle Tax Status

Enter your vehicle's registration number in the search box above. Our system queries official DVLA and DVSA data to show you the current tax status, whether the vehicle is taxed, SORN'd, or untaxed. You can also use the GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service, but our tool combines tax status with MOT history in a single report.

If your car tax (VED) expires and you do not renew it or declare SORN, the vehicle becomes illegal to keep on a public road. The DVLA can issue an automatic fine of up to £1,000, clamp the vehicle, or have it towed and crushed. You must either tax the vehicle, declare it SORN, or ensure it is kept off public roads at all times.

Car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) costs vary based on CO2 emissions, fuel type, and the date of first registration. Vehicles registered after 1 April 2017 pay a first-year rate based on CO2 emissions (from £0 for zero-emission vehicles to over £2,000 for high emitters), then a flat standard rate of £190 per year. Older vehicles pay rates based on their CO2 band. Electric vehicles are currently exempt but will start paying VED from April 2025.

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. You must declare SORN if your vehicle is not taxed and is kept off the public road — for example, stored in a garage or on private land. SORN is free to declare and lasts until you tax the vehicle again or sell it. Failing to declare SORN on an untaxed vehicle can result in a fine.

No. Driving an untaxed vehicle on public roads is illegal. The only exception is driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test — but the vehicle must be insured. If you are caught driving without tax, you face a fine of up to £1,000 and the DVLA may clamp or seize the vehicle. Always check tax status before driving.