DVLA issues car tax warning to all drivers ahead of expensive new changes launching in months
WATCH: Rachel Reeves introduces new car tax measures in the October Statement
GB NEWS
Drivers are being urged to ensure they pay their vehicle tax before it expires or they could be slapped with huge fines, just a day after major new services were rolled out.
Taking to social media, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has urged motorists to tax their vehicles in a timely manner before it expires.
The post on X, formerly known as Twitter, noted that motorists are able to do this on the GOV.UK website, alongside the hashtag "Tax it, don't risk it".
Even if motorists are not required to pay any Vehicle Excise Duty for their car, they must tax their vehicle to ensure it is legal to be driven on the road.
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The DVLA is calling on drivers to renew their vehicle tax before it expires
GETTY
To tax a car, motorcycle or other vehicle, drivers need a reference number from a recent vehicle tax reminder letter, their V5C vehicle log book or the green "new keeper" slip from their log book.
Motorists are able to declare their vehicle as SORN with a Statutory Off Road Notification. This allows drivers to register their vehicles as off the road, meaning they no longer have to pay taxes.
Drivers can be exempt from paying road tax for a number of reasons including:
- Vehicles used by a disabled person
- Disabled passenger vehicles
- Historic vehicles
- Mobility vehicles and powered wheelchairs
- Electric vehiclesMowing machines
- Steam vehicles
- Vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture and forestry
It comes ahead of new car tax changes being introduced in April which will see VED rates for all vehicles increase in line with the rate of inflation (Retail Price Index).
VED first year rates will also rise to increase the gap between the amount of tax paid on an electric vehicle and a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.
Zero emission cars registered on or after April 1, 2025, will pay the lowest first year rate of just £10 until 2029-2030, while the least polluting vehicles (1-50g/km of CO2) will pay £110.
The hikes will see all other rates for cars emitting more than 76g/km of CO2 double from their current level for 2025-26. In some instances, drivers could see their prices jump to a staggering £5,490 for the most polluting petrol and diesel vehicles.
The warning comes just one day after the Government announced major changes for Britons accessing their driving licence, which they will soon be able to do on their phone.
The new GOV.UK app will allow drivers to personalise their homepage with the services that are most relevant to them, including information about their MOT or applying for road tax.
The mobile driving licence will be piloted later this year, with all Government services aiming to have a digital alternative alongside paper or card credentials by the end of 2027.
The new Blueprint for Digital Government has been backed by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander who said it was a "game changer" for millions of drivers around the country.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Drivers will soon be able to access their driving licence on their mobile phones
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Screenshots of the GOV.UK app shows that drivers will be able to see information about when they need to renew their vehicle tax, check if their vehicle is taxed and even share information about their licence.
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