When to Apply
The date on which you can apply for a new tax disc depends on when the vehicle tax expires or has expired.
If your vehicle tax has not yet expired, you can apply for a new disc from the 15th day of the month in which the existing disc is due to expire. However, as the new disc will not come into effect until the 1st day of the following month, it should not be displayed until then. For example, if your tax runs out on the 30 September, you can apply for a new disc from the 15 September, and display it in your car on 1 October.
If your tax disc has been expired for a month or more (that is, there will be a gap in the dates in which your vehicle will be taxed), then you may only apply for a new disc 2 days or less before the start of the new tax disc. For example, if your tax ran out in June, and it is now September, if you apply anytime during 1-28 September, you will receive a disc that runs from 1 September to 31 August. However, if you apply for a new disc on the last 2 days of the month (i.e. 29 or 30 September), your new tax disc will run from 1 October to 30 September.
Vehicle tax cannot be backdated beyond the first day of the month in which you apply, and so any arrears of tax must be paid direct to a DVLA local office.
How to Apply
There are a number of ways in which you can renew or apply for a tax disc, depending on the type of documentation available to you.
 |
- A renewal form (V11) or your registration certificate
(V5C)
- A valid Certificate of Insurance or cover note
- A current MOT test certificate (if applicable)
- The appropriate fee
All documents must be original; copies will not be acceptable. |
1. Taxing Your Vehicle with a Renewal Reminder (V11)
You should receive a renewal application form V11 (Application for a vehicle tax disc) about two weeks before your vehicle tax disc expires.
If all the details on the form are correct (for example the vehicle details and the taxation class) then you may take the form along with any necessary supporting documentation and the payment of vehicle tax to your nearest licence issuing Post Office branch. Alternatively, you may post it to selected Post Office branch, addressing your envelope to 'Post Office (MVL Duty)'. If you are buying your tax disc at a Post Office branch, they will scan the V11 form and return this to you for your records.
2. Taxing Your Vehicle without a Renewal Reminder
If you have mislaid your tax renewal reminder form (V11) or do not have one because you have recently purchased the vehicle, then you can apply for a new tax disc using form V10 (Application for a vehicle licence) available from DVLA local offices and Post Office branches. You must take your registration certificate (V5C) or a new keepers supplement (V5C/2), along with your MOT certificate (if applicable), insurance certificate or cover note.
3. Taxing Your Vehicle without Documentation
You cannot apply for a vehicle tax disc unless you have a registration certificate (V5C) for that vehicle in your name.
If you have recently purchased the car and have never had a registration certificate (V5C), then you must apply to DVLA (Swansea) for a registration certificate using form V62 (Application Form for a Vehicle Registration Certificate). The DVLA aims to deliver registration certificates for new keepers within 4 weeks, although you may have to wait up to 6 weeks. Once you receive your new registration certificate, you can then tax your vehicle.
If you are already the current registered keeper of the vehicle, but your registration certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, then you may tax your vehicle at a DVLA local office. You will need to complete form V62 (Application Form for a Vehicle Registration Certificate) along with form V10 (Application for a vehicle licence). If you have changed your address, you will you will need to present proof of identity with your licensing application, such as a current driving licence, original bank/building society statement, or a recent utility bill. If your name has changed, you may bring a deed poll, marriage certificate, decree nisi or absolute as evidence. You will receive your tax disc straight away.
4. Taxing Your Vehicle Online
If you have been issued with a new style (computerised) MOT certificate, are the registered keeper of the vehicle, and there are no changes to your name, address or vehicle, then you can apply for a new tax disc online. (See the Useful Resources section for the website address).
To tax your car online, you'll need the following:
- the 16 digit reference number printed in the yellow box on the front of your renewal reminder (V11) or
- your vehicle registration number and the 11 digit reference number found on the front of your Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C)
The website will guide you through the process step-by-step, and will make a number of electronic checks to ensure that you have the right documentation. These checks include:
- insurance - checked via the Motor Insurance Database run by the Motor Insurers Information Centre
- vehicle test (MOT) - checked via the computerised MOT Database
- entitlement to disability exemption (if appropriate) - checked via the Department for Work and Pensions or Veterans Agency
Once the checks have been completed you must make your payment using a debit or credit card. You should note however, that a £2.50 charge will be applied to credit card payments. A tax disc and receipt for payment will be sent to you through the post within five working days.
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