Free car tax check for any UK vehicle
Enter a reg to see whether a vehicle is taxed, when the tax runs out, or whether it's been declared SORN, straight from DVLA records.
- Official DVLA & DVSA data
- No sign-up required
- Unlimited free checks
What your free tax check shows
Road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) records are checked live against the DVLA database.
Current tax status
Whether the vehicle is taxed, untaxed or declared off the road (SORN) right now.
Tax due date
The exact date the current tax expires, so you can renew on time and avoid fines.
SORN status
If the vehicle is registered as off the road, the report says so. Vital to know before buying.
Full vehicle report
Tax status comes alongside the full MOT history and mileage records.
Because vehicle tax stopped transferring between owners in 2014, every used car is untaxed the moment you buy it, no matter what the seller says. Checking the tax position before you view a car tells you whether it has been sitting on a SORN (and for how long), which is worth knowing before you commit.
For a full explanation of how VED bands, SORN and refunds work, read our car tax guide.
Car tax check FAQs
- How do I check if my car is taxed?
- Enter the registration number in the search box above. The report shows the vehicle's current tax status (taxed, untaxed or SORN) and the date the tax is due to run out, taken directly from DVLA records.
- Does tax transfer when I buy a car?
- No. Since 2014, vehicle tax cannot be transferred between owners. When a car changes hands the seller receives a refund for any full months remaining, and the buyer must tax the vehicle before driving it away, even if the seller's tax had months left to run.
- What is SORN?
- SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It tells the DVLA a vehicle is being kept off the public road (in a garage, on a drive or on private land) and so does not need to be taxed or insured. A vehicle with a SORN cannot legally be driven or parked on a public road.
- What happens if my car is untaxed?
- The DVLA runs monthly computer checks on every registered vehicle. Keeping an untaxed vehicle without a SORN triggers an automatic fine, and driving an untaxed vehicle can lead to a penalty of up to £1,000 plus back-tax. Untaxed vehicles can also be clamped or impounded.
- When is my car tax due?
- Run a free check on your registration and the report shows the exact due date. Tax renews every six or twelve months, and unlike an MOT there is no grace period: the vehicle must be taxed (or declared SORN) at all times.
Ready to check a vehicle?
MOT history, tax status and mileage records in seconds. Free, no sign-up.