Registered keepers will still need to purchase Vehicle Excise Duty, but DVLA will no longer issue paper tax discs as proof of purchase. Over 99% of motorists tax their vehicles on time, but it is still an offence to use a vehicle on the road if Vehicle Excise Duty has not been purchased.

Instead of manually checking for a tax disc, road enforcement action is now based on Automatic Number Plate Readers (ANPR). These cameras have proven to be a very effective compliance measure when compared to manual inspection of tax discs.

Key Facts

• The paper tax disc will be abolished on 30th September 2014.
• After this date you will no longer need to display a paper tax disc on your vehicle.
• From 1st October 2014, it is no longer an offence to use a vehicle without displaying a tax disc.
• Tax discs will continue to be issued right up until 30th September 2014.
• If road tax expires on 30th September, then it will still need to be renewed in the normal way. However, DVLA will not issue a paper tax disc.
• If a tax disc is lost or stolen before 30th September, then a duplicate tax disc will still need to be purchased.
• From 1st October 2014, Vehicle Excise Duty can no longer be transferred from one owner to another.
• A refund for unused Vehicle Excise Duty will be issued automatically to the owners of a vehicle when it is sold, disposed to trade or SORN’d.
• From 1st November 2014, private motorists will be able to pay their road tax online by annual, bi-annual or monthly Direct Debit.

How does this change affect my company car?

We see this as a positive move that will streamline the taxation process. The only material difference you’ll see is that we do not have a paper tax disc to send to you each year when we re-tax your vehicle.

I already have a tax disc, do I need to display it?

No. From 1st October 2014, you no longer need to display a tax disc. So, even if your car was last taxed in say June, you do not need to display the tax disc that was issued to you at the time. After 1st October 2014, the tax disc can be destroyed.

What will happen when my vehicle needs re-taxed?

Renewal notifications will continue to come to us. We will re- tax your vehicle when the tax becomes due. But instead of physically posting out your new tax disc, we will email you with confirmation that we have successfully renewed your tax. For Fleet Managers, we will attach a file with all the vehicles we have taxed.

Where can I get further information?

You can get further information on the DVLA website.

Can I check if my vehicle is taxed?

The DVLA provide an easy to use service that lets you check the taxation status of any vehicle.