Road tax questions, answered
The things drivers ask us most often, in plain English.
Do electric cars pay road tax now?+
Yes. Since April 2025 electric cars pay the standard rate, and EVs with a list price over £50,000 also pay the Expensive Car Supplement.
What is the Expensive Car Supplement?+
An extra £440 a year on cars whose list price was over £40,000 when new (£50,000 for electric). It applies for five years from the second licence, then stops automatically.
Does road tax transfer when I sell my car?+
No. Tax is cancelled when you tell the DVLA you've sold it, and you're refunded for full remaining months. The new keeper must tax it before driving.
What happens if I don't tax my vehicle?+
You can get an automatic £80 penalty, a fine of up to £1,000 if prosecuted, and the vehicle can be clamped or impounded.
Can I pay monthly?+
Yes, by Direct Debit. Monthly and six-monthly payments cost around 5% more in total than paying for 12 months up front.
My rate is £0 — do I still need to tax it?+
Yes. Every vehicle kept or used on a public road must be taxed each year, even at a £0 rate.
What is SORN?+
A free declaration that a vehicle is off the road. While SORN is active you don't pay tax, but the vehicle must be kept on private land.
Is this site the DVLA?+
No. We're an independent information service. Taxing your vehicle is free to do yourself at gov.uk/vehicle-tax.