How Do You Tax A Car In Northern Ireland?

If you live in Northern Ireland and are wondering about how to tax your car, you will find the answer to your question in the following blog post. In addition to this, we will also review what documents you would need to tax your car as well as assess the consequences of not paying your car tax on time.

How Do You Tax A Car In Northern Ireland?

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can tax your car in any of the following ways:

• You can tax your car online by visiting the DVLA’s online vehicle tax service. You’ll need your vehicle registration certificate (V5C), which should be in your name, or a 16-digit reference number from your vehicle tax renewal letter.
• You can also tax your car by post by sending the V5C registration certificate to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD along with a cheque or postal order made payable to ‘DVLA Swansea’. You’ll receive a tax disc in the post within a few days.
• Alternatively, you can tax your car at a local Post Office that deals with vehicle tax. You’ll need to bring your V5C registration certificate, a valid MOT certificate (if your car is over three years old), and your insurance certificate. You’ll also need to bring a valid form of ID, such as a driving licence or passport.

Below is a list of payment options that you can use to pay your car tax:

• Direct Debit
• Cheque
• Debit/credit card
• Cash
• Postal Order

Which Documents Do You Need To Tax Your Car In Northern Ireland?

You will need the following documents to tax your car in Northern Ireland:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C): This document shows proof of ownership of the vehicle and provides important information about the vehicle such as its make, model, and registration number.
• Valid MOT certificate (if applicable): If your vehicle is over three years old, it will need a valid MOT certificate.
• Insurance certificate: You will need to provide proof of insurance for the vehicle.
• A valid form of identification: This can be a driving licence or passport.

What Are The Consequences Of Not Taxing Your Car In Northern Ireland?

There are varied consequences of not paying your car tax on time in Northern Ireland. These consequences can become more severe as time passes by. For instance,

• If you’re caught driving an untaxed car, you could face a fine of up to £1,000. In addition, you may also be required to pay backdated tax and receive penalty points on your driving licence.
• If you continue to drive without paying your car tax, you could face legal action. This could include a court summons, a criminal record and even imprisonment in some cases.
• The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has the authority to clamp, tow or impound untaxed vehicles. If your vehicle is clamped or impounded, you will need to pay a release fee and any backdated tax before you can reclaim your vehicle.
• If you want to sell your vehicle with an unpaid tax history, you’ll need to pay backdated tax before you can sell the vehicle.
• It can be challenging to get car insurance for an untaxed vehicle, and it can be expensive.

How Can You Maintain A Road Legal Vehicle In Northern Ireland?

There are some basic rules for registered keepers to follow so that their vehicles can be termed road legal. These include the following:

• Tax your vehicle: As mentioned earlier, you must ensure that your vehicle is taxed. You can tax your vehicle online, by post or at a Post Office.
• Obtain a valid MOT certificate: If your vehicle is over three years old, it must have a valid MOT certificate. You should book an MOT test at an approved testing centre before the current certificate expires.
• Purchase valid car insurance: You must have valid car insurance before driving on Northern Ireland’s roads. You can purchase car insurance from various providers, and it’s a legal requirement to have a minimum of third-party insurance.
• Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy: You must make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive on the road. This includes ensuring that the brakes, steering, lights, tyres and other components are in good working order.
• Keep your vehicle registration certificate up to date: If you move house or change your name, you must update your vehicle registration certificate (V5C).

Conclusion:

The above discussion helps to conclude that taxing a car in Northern Ireland is quite similar to how it is done in the rest of the UK; with the addition of a valid paper copy of your current

certificate of insurance.

References:

Vehicle taxation in Northern Ireland – Border People

Buy Or Renew Your Vehicle Tax | Identity | Post Office®

Northern Ireland Car Road Tax Rules