Motoring experts have warned that millions of UK drivers could face fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to check that their vehicle tax is up to date. Around half a million vehicles are estimated to be on the road without valid tax.
Darren Miller from BigWantsYourCar.com said many motorists forget to renew their vehicle tax, assuming it renews automatically. 'If your car isn’t taxed and you’re driving it on the road, you could be facing a fine of up to £1,000,' he warned.
Vehicle tax is required for most cars, vans and motorcycles on UK roads, even if only used occasionally. Exemptions exist for certain disabled drivers, electric vehicles and historic vehicles, but drivers must apply for the exemption. Using an untaxed vehicle is allowed only when travelling directly to a pre-booked MOT test, with strict rules against stops or detours.
Motorists aged over 70 must also renew their driving licence every three years. Failing to renew on time could make it illegal to drive until the licence is updated.
Checking vehicle tax status is simple: visit the gov.uk website, enter the car’s registration number, and confirm details. The site shows whether tax is paid and when the next payment is due. To pay online, drivers need a recent tax reminder, the vehicle log book (V5C), or the green 'new keeper' slip.
