Free Car Tax Check

What is a car tax check?

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly called road tax, is required for any vehicle used or parked on public roads in the UK. A tax check shows you the vehicle's current tax status — whether it's taxed, when the tax expires, or whether a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) has been declared.

Since the physical tax disc was abolished in October 2014, there is no visible way to tell whether a vehicle is taxed just by looking at it. The only way to confirm is to check online — which is exactly what Free Plate Check lets you do, for free, in seconds.

You can also see the vehicle's CO2 emissions and fuel type, which determine the VED band and annual cost. For the full vehicle specification, use our free car check to see all the details recorded against the registration.

How is road tax calculated?

The amount you pay for road tax depends on when your vehicle was first registered and its CO2 emissions:

Vehicles registered from 1 April 2017 onwards: The first year's tax rate is based on CO2 emissions, with rates ranging from £0 for zero-emission vehicles to over £2,000 for the highest emitters. After the first year, most petrol and diesel cars pay a flat standard rate of £190 per year. Vehicles with a list price over £40,000 when new pay an additional supplement of £410 per year for five years at the standard rate, bringing the total to £600 per year during that period.

Vehicles registered before 1 April 2017: Road tax is based entirely on CO2 emissions, divided into bands from A (lowest emissions) to M (highest). Rates vary from £0 for Band A to over £600 for the highest band. Lower-emission vehicles pay significantly less.

Electric vehicles: EVs registered before 1 April 2025 were exempt from road tax. From April 2025, newly registered electric vehicles pay the standard rate. VED rates are reviewed annually in the Budget, so exact figures can change from year to year.

You can view your vehicle's CO2 emissions and fuel type on Free Plate Check to understand which VED band applies.

What does SORN mean?

A SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declares that a vehicle is being kept off the public road. Once a SORN is in place, the vehicle must not be driven or parked on any public road, even briefly. A SORN stays in place until the vehicle is taxed again, sold, scrapped, or exported.

If you're buying a vehicle with a SORN, you must tax it before driving it away from the seller's property. The vehicle must also be insured and, if over three years old, have a valid MOT before it can be driven on public roads.

For a detailed explanation of when and how to declare a SORN, read our guide to SORN declarations.

What happens if you don't tax your car?

Failing to tax your vehicle can result in an automatic penalty from the DVLA of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days). If the matter goes to court, the penalty can rise to £1,000.

The DVLA also has the power to clamp, impound, or ultimately crush untaxed vehicles found on public roads. ANPR cameras across the UK flag untaxed vehicles, and enforcement is largely automated — so the chances of being caught are high.

If you don't need to use the vehicle on the road, make sure to declare a SORN to avoid penalties. You can do this online at GOV.UK or by calling the DVLA on 0300 123 4321.

Frequently asked questions