Can I Tax My Car While Waiting For Log Book?

The documents of one’s car are essential to be maintained to abide by road laws in the UK. However, there may be times when vehicle owners are either waiting for a logbook to be made if they have purchased a brand new car or if they are waiting for the logbook to be transferred to their name as they purchase a car from someone else. This blog post aims to discuss the conditions under which one may be able to continue paying their car tax as they wait for their vehicle logbook, the consequences of not having one for a long period of time, as well as essential information related to vehicle taxes in the UK. 

Can I Tax My Car While Waiting For Log Book?

Yes, you can pay your car tax while waiting for your logbook. If you have purchased a brand new car and you are the first owner, dealers usually arrange for payment for your car tax. Most of the time your car tax is included along with the price of your car and any registration fee that is to be levied. In the case of a second-hand car, if the dealer does not arrange a logbook transfer to your name, you can do the same by contacting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on their website. However, it is advisable to purchase a vehicle with an updated logbook to avoid fraud or the purchase of a stolen car.

You may only be able to pay your car tax only if the vehicle is registered in your name and you can provide any of the following documents to prove your ownership of the car:

  • incase your V11 reminder notice which states the vehicle owner’s name and the amount of car tax due for the next tax term
  • a V62 logbook application form which shows that you have applied for a V5 while the previous one has gone missing
  • a V5C/2 Green slip that is issued to new car owners while the ownership of their vehicle is transferred from the previous owner

However, in the absence of a logbook or V5, your car will be declared as SORN; Statutory Off-Road Notification until the new logbook arrives which can take up to a few weeks’ time. 

Your initial fine will be £80 which is due to be paid in the next 28 days. If you are unable to do so within the given time, this fine may be increased to £1,000.

How Can I Apply For A Log Book?

You can apply for your car’s logbook or V5 online through the DVLA website or through the post. It usually takes 6 weeks for your new logbook to be delivered. 

Payments can be made through local post offices registered for car tax. You may use a debit card, credit card or direct debit facility to make your car tax payment(s).

You must apply for a V5 immediately for a fee of £25, in case you have not done so. Not carrying your logbook can lead to a penalty being charged by the DVLA.

Informing the DVLA of the need for a new logbook is essential for all new car owners or those who have been transferred ownership of the car.

What Are The Legal Obligations Of Drivers In The UK?

Legal obligations of drivers in the UK include the following:

  • the vehicle should be registered with DVLA
  • the vehicle must be roadworthy
  • the owner must have paid their current vehicle tax 
  • the owner must have a current mot certificate 
  • the owner must have a minimum of third party insurance 

Car owners are also required to inform the DVLA in case of the following:

  • a change in the owner’s name or gender
  • new contact details including address
  • in case of a medical condition of the driver
  • major alterations to the vehicle
  • sale of the vehicle

What Is A V11 Reminder For Car Tax?

If you have purchased or registered a car to your name, you will be required to apply for a Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Otherwise, the DVLA will send you a V11 reminder to do so. The purpose of this reminder is to set up your vehicle tax. You will receive an annual reminder to renew your car tax.

The V11 reminder is divided into three sections. Section 1 shows the name of the person in whose name the vehicle is registered, their address, the registration number of the vehicle as well as the date when the current tax is due to expire. Section 2 states the option for paying the tax, registering the car as SORN (if it is not going to be used) or stating that you are no longer in possession (or ownership) of the car. Section 3 indicates the modes of payment for your car tax. You can choose to make the payment online, through phone or a local post office that is registered to deal with car tax. 

How Is Car Tax Paid In The UK?

Car owners receive a reminder from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency around three weeks before their vehicle tax is about to expire. This is called a V11 reminder. This letter can be taken to the nearest local post office which has car tax facilities and used as a reference to pay your car tax. If a vehicle owner loses their V11 letter, they can use their 11 digit reference number from their logbook known as V5C.

To pay your car tax online from the post office, you will need the following documents;

  • Your V11 letter
  • An MOT test certificate
  • The amount of payment mentioned in the V11 letter

If you have misplaced your V11 letter or your V5C, your car tax can still be renewed through the local post office. 

At this time, you should also apply for a new Registration Certificate using a V62 application form A for £25

If a vehicle owner fails to pay their car tax, they may face an initial fine of up to £80 reminding you to clear your tax dues within 28 days. If you fail to pay the fine within the given time, this fine can increase to up to £1000 and the defaulting party be taken to court.

However, if you do not intend to run your car on public roads, you are not required to pay your car tax. Instead, you should apply for Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) through your local post office dealing with car tax.

Who Has To Pay Road Tax In The UK?

Anyone with a roadworthy vehicle in the UK is required to pay road tax (also referred to as car tax, vehicle tax or road fund license. This is a mandatory, annual payment enforced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The amount due on a vehicle owner depends on the type of vehicle they drive as well as the level of CO2 emissions from their car.

The following vehicles are exempt from road tax:

  • Cars used by a disabled person
  • Disabled passenger vehicles
  • Electric vehicles
  • Historic vehicles
  • Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
  • Mowing machines
  • Steam vehicles
  • Vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture and forestry

You can check vehicle tax online to confirm if your car has been taxed.

How Much Road Tax Do I Have To Pay In The UK?

Road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty in the UK is calculated on the basis of a few factors including the engine size and CO2 emissions of the car.

However, the UK road tax system is divided across two separate rates. The first-rate applies during the first year of a car on the road when its CO2 emissions are also accounted for while calculating the tax rate. It may range from £0 for zero-emission cars to £2,245 for cars that emit 255g/km or more.

From the second year onwards, the CO2 emissions will not account for road tax, rather the original cost of the car will be considered for calculations.

Cars that are valued at or above £40,000 will be taxed a further £335 annual supplement that runs for five years. After this time-lapse, they will be taxed at the current tax rate applicable during the tax term.

The current (2021-22) road tax is set at a flat rate of £155. This is an increase from £150 in the 2020/2021 financial year) to adjust for inflation. There’s a £10 annual discount for alternatively fuelled vehicles such as hybrids, mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Therefore, their owners pay £145 annually.

Conclusion:

While you wait for your vehicle logbook or V5 to be made or transferred to your name, you can continue paying your car tax as long as you can provide the DVLA with other documentation that confirms your ownership of the vehicle. This may be your V11 reminder which informs and reminds you to pay your next car tax or your V62 form which is evidence of your application for a logbook. One should not wait to pay their car tax until they have their logbook as car tax arrears can lead to penalties between £80 to £1,000

FAQs: Can I Tax My Car While Waiting For Log Book?

Can you drive a car without tax while waiting for a logbook?

While you can drive a car while waiting for a logbook, you cannot drive one if you haven’t paid your car tax. However, you can still pay your car tax while waiting for your logbook by providing alternate documents that confirm your ownership of the car. Once you’ve cleared your road tax, you can then drive it.

Can I tax my car without the logbook UK?

Yes, you can still tax your car without your logbook or V5. However, the vehicle must be registered in your name and you should be able to provide the 11-digit reference number in your V11 reminder notice, a V62 logbook application form or the 12 digit number mentioned in your V5c/2 Green slip.

Can you still tax a car without V5?

Yes, you can still tax your car without your logbook or V5. However, the vehicle must be registered in your name and you should be able to provide the 11-digit reference number in your V11 reminder notice, a V62 logbook application form or the 12 digit number mentioned in your V5c/2 Green slip.

How long does it take to get a logbook back from DVLA?

It usually takes the DVLA between 4 to 6 weeks to send your duplicate logbook or V5C. If you don’t receive one at the end of 6 weeks you can fill out the V62 form and apply for a new one.

How many days grace do you get to tax your car?

There are no grace days for car tax payments. Your V11 reminder mentions the due date for your car tax payments due for the upcoming tax term. If a vehicle owner fails to pay their car tax, they may face an initial fine of up to £80. If you fail to pay28 days the fine within the given time, this fine can increase to up to £1000 and the defaulting party be taken to court.

References:

Driving without tax – what’s the penalty?.

Get a vehicle log book (V5C): If you cannot get a logbook online – GOV.UK

When can you drive a car with no tax?

Car tax guide | Everything you need to know | The AA

How to tax a car without V5 | Express.co.uk

Vehicle tax rates – GOV.UK

VED road tax: how does car tax work and how much will it cost? | Auto Express

Tax your vehicle without a V11 reminder – GOV.UK

Vehicle tax

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