How to check
The DVLA vehicle enquiry service is free and requires only the vehicle's registration number. No account. No login. Results are instant.
Go to gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax, enter the registration, and the result shows whether the vehicle is taxed and when the tax expires (or expired). You can check any UK-registered vehicle, not just your own.
What the result shows
The check returns a clear status: taxed or not taxed. If taxed, it shows the expiry date. If not taxed, it shows when the tax lapsed or that the vehicle has been declared SORN.
You also see: make and model, colour, engine size, and date of first registration. These match what is recorded with DVLA.
The check does not show every detail about the vehicle's history. It is a status check, not a full vehicle history check. Specifically, it does not show:
MOT status in detail. The tax check shows whether the vehicle is taxed. For the full MOT picture including pass, fail, advisories, and mileage history, run the separate MOT history check at GOV.UK.
Outstanding finance. If the vehicle is subject to hire purchase or PCP, the tax check will not flag it.
Write-off history, stolen status, or plate changes. None of these appear in the free DVLA tax check.
If you are buying a used car, run the free DVLA vehicle check at gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla and the MOT history check at gov.uk/check-mot-history alongside the tax status check. They are separate services.
This is not a full vehicle history check
The tax check tells you one thing: whether this vehicle is currently taxed. It does not tell you about outstanding finance, accident history, write-off status, or whether the plates have been changed.
If you are buying a used car, also run the free DVLA vehicle check. It shows more detail including MOT status and previous keeper count. For outstanding finance and write-off history, you need a paid HPI check.
What SORN means in the result
SORN means the vehicle has been declared off the road by its registered keeper. A SORN vehicle is not insured for road use and cannot be driven on a public road legally.
If you are buying a car and the check shows SORN, the seller must retax the vehicle before you drive it away. Alternatively, you can arrange to take ownership and tax it yourself immediately on purchase, but you cannot drive an untaxed vehicle on the road under any circumstances.
SORN does not mean the vehicle is unroadworthy. It may be in perfect mechanical condition. It simply means road tax has been cancelled while the vehicle is stored off the road.
What to do if the tax has expired
If the check shows your own vehicle is untaxed, retax it immediately. You can do this online at GOV.UK using your V5C or V11 reminder letter. You need a current MOT and insurance in place.
If you are buying a car and the check shows expired tax, treat it as a practical point of negotiation, not necessarily a problem. The seller is responsible for the untaxed period while the car was in their name. What matters is that you tax it before you drive away.
Driving an untaxed vehicle on a public road carries a fixed penalty of £80 and the risk of clamping. There is no grace period.
Get updates on changes to road tax rules and DVLA checks — to your inbox.
Common questions about the road tax check
Is the DVLA tax check free?▾
Yes. The DVLA vehicle enquiry service at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax is completely free. Some third-party websites offer the same check for a fee. You do not need them. Use GOV.UK directly.
Can I check any car's tax status, not just my own?▾
Yes. The check is a public record. You can enter any UK vehicle registration and see whether it is currently taxed. This is useful when buying a used car, checking a fleet vehicle, or any other legitimate purpose.
What does SORN mean in the result?▾
SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) means the registered keeper has declared the vehicle off the road. The vehicle is not insured for road use. If you are buying a SORN vehicle, it needs to be taxed and insured before you can drive it away.
The check says my car is taxed but I haven't paid — why?▾
This can happen if DVLA has not yet processed a cancellation, if you set up a direct debit that has not yet been cancelled, or if there is a lag in the database updating. If you genuinely have not paid and believe tax is due, renew it to avoid any risk. If you think there is an error, contact DVLA.
What do I do if the result shows my car is untaxed?▾
If it is your vehicle: retax it immediately at GOV.UK before driving it anywhere. You need a valid MOT and insurance in place first. If you are buying: the vehicle needs taxing before you drive away. The untaxed status during the previous owner's time is their responsibility.
Can I check road tax status on a motorbike or van?▾
Yes. The DVLA vehicle enquiry service works for cars, motorbikes, vans, and other UK-registered vehicles. Enter the registration number and the result shows the tax status regardless of vehicle type.
Related pages
- →Road tax hubHow to pay, what it costs, SORN explained, and what happens if you miss it.
- →Free DVLA vehicle checkMore comprehensive than the tax check: MOT status, previous keepers, and full mileage history.
- →MOT history checkEvery MOT result since 2005, including mileage at each test — free.
- →DVLA hubEverything DVLA handles: licences, registration, road tax, V5C, and medical enquiries.