How long can you drive without road tax?

Every UK driver knows that keeping your tax, insurance and MOT up to date is part and parcel of responsible car ownership, but what happens if you forget to renew your road tax? While the old paper disc may be gone, the DVLA’s electronic system means untaxed vehicles are spotted in seconds by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Apart from one exception for journeys to pre-arranged MOT appointments, driving without valid tax can land you with huge fines, clamping or even impoundment.  

In this blog, we break down exactly when you can legally move an untaxed car, who’s completely exempt, the penalties you risk if you don’t comply, and how to declare your vehicle off-road (SORN) if it’s sitting idle. Read on to make sure you stay on the right side of the law and avoid unnecessary charges. 

When can you legally drive without road tax? 

You can only drive an untaxed car if you are driving to a pre-arranged MOT appointment. You must take your vehicle directly to your MOT appointment and not stop along the way, as this could be seen as improper use of your car. 

Who is exempt from paying road tax? 

• Statutory Off-Road (SORN): Any untaxed vehicle officially declared off-road. 

• Historic Vehicles: Built before 1 January 1984. 

• Disabled Passenger Vehicles and Mobility Scooters. 

• Agricultural and Forestry Machinery (e.g. tractors, mowers). 

What is the penalty for driving without road tax? 

If you drive a car without road tax, you will be issued an £80 fine in the first instance. The fine is usually sent physically to your home via letter and reduced to £40 if you pay your car tax and pay the fine within 28 days. 

Also, your car may be clamped until you have a valid road tax certificate. Ignoring or refusing to pay the fine could lead to the fine increasing to £1,000. However, you won’t be issued points on your driving licence if you drive without road tax, but the police can easily spot untaxed vehicles via ANPR software. 

Driving an untaxed vehicle on the road could lead to your vehicle being impounded. 

Will I need to tax my car, even if it has not been driven? 

If your car sits on private land (e.g.,on a driveway or in a garage) and won’t be used on public roads, you do not need to tax it, but you must declare it off-road via SORN. If parked on any public road, it must always be both taxed and  insured. 

How to check when your road tax is due 

You can find out when your road tax is due by going to GOV.UK and entering your registration number to discover when you need to pay your road tax. 

The DVLA will send out car tax reminders by post, or if you prefer, you can opt to be sent a digital reminder to your phone or e-mail. If you buy a new vehicle, you are responsible for arranging and paying the road tax yourself. 

Need help managing your vehicle obligations? 

Do you have any questions about managing your legal vehicle obligations, including road tax, insurance and MOTs? Merityre’s friendly and helpful team are here to help. Are you wondering how to SORN a vehicle? Discover more about the SORN process for your car with our guide. 

Book your upcoming MOT or service at your local Merityre garage across South-East England today.