When Does My Tax Disc Run Out?

If you are a driver in the UK, you may be wondering when your tax disc is set to run out so you can keep your car tax updated. In this blog post, we will discuss the expiration date of your car tax and what steps you need to take to renew it.

When Does My Tax Disc Run Out?

Your car tax disc, or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) as it is officially known, used to run out one year from the date of purchase or renewal. However, tax discs were abolished in 2014. Until then a tax disc served as an official document issued by the UK government that showed you have paid Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for your vehicle. 

This document had to be displayed on your vehicle’s windscreen and was valid for 12 months. Drivers had to renew their tax disc before the expiration date.

Tax discs were issued and renewed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Now, they send you a V11 reminder letter before your car tax expires. You can use this reminder or your vehicle logbook to pay your car tax.

Car tax can be paid in many ways. These include the following:

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

You can also check the status of your vehicle tax online at any time by using the DVLA’s ‘Check Vehicle Tax’ service. It is important to note that renewing your car tax does not guarantee that your vehicle is roadworthy. 

A valid MOT certificate is also required for any vehicle registered in the UK. If your vehicle fails an MOT test, you will still need to pay the appropriate VED but you may be able to claim a refund if your car was off the road due to repairs.

It is important to make sure that you keep up to date with your car tax payments to avoid fines or other penalties. 

How Soon Can I Pay My Car Tax Before It Runs Out?

You can pay your car tax 2 months in advance before your current car tax runs out. However, if your car tax expires at the end of the month, you can pay the amount by the 5th day of the month. These payments can either be through cheque, postal order, online or through direct debit.

If you are making an advance payment, you will need the following documents:

  • Your vehicle registration certificate or logbook
  • An application for advance payment along with reasons 
  • Complete the V10 form for vehicle tax and the V85 form in case of a heavy good vehicle
  • An MOT or goods vehicle testing (GVT) certificate (in case you need one) 
  • A cheque, postal order or banker’s draft with the full amount payable to DVLA Swansea

Once you make your car tax payment, you can check if your vehicle is taxed by using the 11-digit reference number on your vehicle logbook.

What Happens If Your Car Tax Runs Out?

If your car tax runs out and your untaxed vehicle is found on the road by the authorities, you will be fined £80 by the DVLA. If you pay the fine within 28 days, you will get a 50% discount and you will only have to pay £40. 

However, if you do not pay the fine within the stipulated time, the amount can increase to £1,000. In addition to this, you can be taken to court or your vehicle can be clamped so that it cannot be driven until the fine is paid.  

While car tax is usually paid on an annual basis and you can pay your car tax 2 months before it runs out, if you pay your car tax on a six-monthly or monthly basis, you should keep track of it and make sure that you pay your car tax before it runs out.

Conclusion:

The above article brings us to the conclusion that while tax discs may have been removed from the vehicle tax system, car tax should still be maintained by vehicle owners before it runs out; usually one year after your last tax payment.

References:

Everything You Need to Know About Vehicle Tax and Insurance

Check if a vehicle is taxed – GOV.UK

How to tax your car and how to check when your tax is due