How to Pay UK Road Tax on Your Vehicle (2025)
A clear, step-by-step guide on how to pay your UK vehicle road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) online, by phone, or at a Post Office in 2025. Ensure your vehicle is legally allowed on the road.
This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of how to pay your UK road tax, officially known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). We'll show you the official and quickest process to ensure you get it right, avoid common mistakes, and keep your vehicle legal.
What You'll Need
Before you begin, gather the following information. Having this ready will make the online process take less than five minutes.
- Your vehicle's registration number (number plate).
- A reference number from either your V11 reminder letter, V5C logbook, or the green 'new keeper' slip.
- A valid debit or credit card for payment, or your bank details to set up a Direct Debit.
- A valid MOT certificate (your vehicle's MOT status will be checked automatically during the process).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps carefully to complete the process correctly and securely.
Important: Use the Official GOV.UK Website Only
Always use the official GOV.UK website to tax your vehicle. Unofficial third-party sites may look similar but will charge you extra fees for the same government service.
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Step 1: Go to the Official Website
Navigate to the correct page by searching for "Pay vehicle tax GOV.UK" or by typing www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax into your browser. This is the only official website. -
Step 2: Enter Your Vehicle and Document Details
You will be asked to confirm you have one of the required documents (V5C, V11, or new keeper slip). Enter the reference number from your chosen document along with your vehicle's registration number. -
Step 3: Choose Payment Term and Method
Follow the on-screen prompts to choose how you want to pay. You can make a single payment for 12 months, 6 months (at a slight premium), or set up a recurring Direct Debit to pay monthly, every 6 months, or annually. Complete the action by entering your payment details.
Confirmation & Troubleshooting
Once you've finished, you will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email receipt. The DVLA's database is updated instantly, so you are legally taxed to drive. If you don't receive an email, check your spam folder before trying again.
Common Problems
- Incorrect V5C number: Ensure you are using the number from the most recent logbook issued for the vehicle.
- Payment declined: Double-check your card details and try again. Note that the Direct Debit option is not available if you are taxing a vehicle for the first time using the new keeper slip.
- No reminder letter: You do not need a V11 reminder to tax your vehicle; you can always use the reference number from your V5C logbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will UK road tax be in 2025?
From April 2025, the standard annual road tax rate for most petrol and diesel cars registered after April 1, 2017, will be £195. Importantly, electric vehicles (EVs), which were previously exempt, will also be required to pay this standard rate from this date. Cars with a list price over £40,000 are subject to an additional 'luxury car' supplement for five years.
What documents do I need to tax my car?
You need a reference number from one of three official documents: the V5C logbook, a V11 reminder letter from the DVLA, or the green 'new keeper' slip (V5C/2) if you've recently become the registered keeper of the vehicle.
How can I tax my car if I've lost my V5C logbook?
If you have lost your V5C logbook, you can now use the official GOV.UK service to apply for a new one and tax your vehicle at the same time. This avoids the need to wait for the replacement logbook to arrive in the post before you can tax your car.
How can I check if my car is taxed?
You can check the tax status of any vehicle by using the free 'Check if a vehicle is taxed' service on the GOV.UK website. You only need to enter the vehicle's registration number (number plate).
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