How to Report a Car with No Tax in the UK: 4-Step DVLA Guide (2025-2026)

What Does It Mean for a Car to Have No Tax?

A car with no tax is a vehicle driven or parked on a public road without a valid Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) licence. It is estimated that there are around 500,000 unlicensed vehicles in the UK, leading to an annual road tax revenue loss of approximately £100 million.

VED is also referred to as vehicle tax, car tax, or road tax. It is a legal requirement for any vehicle used or kept on a public road in the UK.

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What Is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)?

Vehicle Excise Duty is a tax charged on vehicles registered for use on UK public roads. VED must be paid on most vehicles registered in the UK. Any motorist caught driving without it could be fined up to £2,500. In 2025, more than 150,000 untaxed vehicles were clamped in the UK.

From April 2026, zero-emission vehicles including electric cars registered on or after 1 April 2025 are no longer exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty and must be taxed, with rates aligned to those for petrol and diesel vehicles.

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How Do You Check If a Car Has No Tax?

Check a vehicle's tax status before submitting a report. Use the free DVLA tool at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. Enter the vehicle registration number to confirm its status.

There are 3 possible results:

• Taxed: the vehicle is compliant and no action is needed.
• Untaxed: a report can be submitted to the DVLA.
• SORN: the vehicle is declared off the road. If a SORN vehicle is on a public road, it is liable for enforcement.

Checking before reporting prevents false claims and protects the wrong vehicle owner from unnecessary enforcement action.

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How Do You Report a Car with No Tax?

Report an untaxed vehicle online via the official form on the GOV.UK website. Alternatively, reporting by post to the DVLA Enforcement Section is an option for those unable to access online services.

The 4 steps to report a car with no tax are:

1. Note the vehicle registration number, make, model, and colour.

2. Record the exact location - street name, town, and postcode.

3. Verify the vehicle's tax status using gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax.

4. Submit the report via the DVLA online form at gov.uk/report-untaxed-vehicle.

The anonymity of the reporting process is a key feature of the DVLA's system. Providing personal details is not a requirement.

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Where Do You Report a Car with No Tax?

There are 3 places to report an untaxed vehicle, depending on the situation.

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What Information Do You Need to Report an Untaxed Vehicle?

There are 5 details needed to submit an effective report.

1. Vehicle registration number (number plate)

2. Vehicle make and model - for example, Ford Focus or Toyota Corolla

3. Vehicle colour

4. Full location - street name, town, and postcode

5. Additional observations - such as an expired MOT, flat tyres, or signs of abandonment

Without these details, the report may not be processed. The more detail provided, the faster the DVLA can take enforcement action.

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What Happens After You Report a Car with No Tax?

The DVLA conducts a check to verify the vehicle's tax status using their records. If the vehicle is untaxed and has been used or kept on public roads, further action is considered. The registered keeper receives a notification letter informing them of the findings and the need to resolve the situation.

If untaxed, the DVLA issues fines or warnings. Enforcement teams may clamp, tow, or seize the vehicle. Persistent offenders can end up in court.

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What Are the Penalties for Driving a Car with No Tax?

There are 4 levels of penalty for driving or keeping a vehicle without valid VED.

1. Automated late licensing penalty letter: an £80 fine, reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days.

2. Fine for keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road without a SORN: £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax.

3. Criminal offence for failure to pay: fines up to £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.

4. Driving without tax: a fine of up to £2,500.

Continued non-compliance results in court action, potential criminal conviction, vehicle seizure, and insurance invalidation.

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What Is a SORN and How Does It Differ from No Tax?

A SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) is a formal declaration that a vehicle is kept off public roads. A vehicle with no tax has no valid VED and no SORN declaration.

An untaxed car cannot be parked on the road. If the road is on private property and the car is declared SORN, it may be parked there legally. If the car is SORN and on public roads, it is liable to be fined.

A SORN vehicle on a public road triggers different enforcement action from a standard untaxed vehicle. Report it through the same DVLA online form.

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Can You Report a Car with No Tax Anonymously?

Yes. Reporting untaxed cars in the UK is anonymous. The DVLA does not require the reporter's name, address, or contact details to process a report. Anonymous reporting is built into the system to encourage public participation without the risk of repercussions.

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What Are the Nearby Legal Obligations for Driving a Car in the UK?

There are 4 main legal obligations for driving a car on UK public roads. These are valid road tax (VED), a valid MOT certificate, motor insurance, and a valid driving licence. Driving without any one of these carries separate penalties.

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People Also Ask

Can a Car Be Clamped for Having No Tax?

Yes. In 2025, more than 150,000 untaxed vehicles were clamped in the UK. The DVLA enforcement teams clamp, tow, or seize vehicles confirmed as untaxed on public roads.

Is It Illegal to Park a Car with No Tax on the Street?

Yes. A vehicle without valid VED cannot be parked on a public road. It must either be taxed or declared as SORN and kept on private land.

Do Electric Cars Need Road Tax in 2025?

Yes. From April 2025, electric vehicles are required to pay Vehicle Excise Duty. The rate is £195 per year for most electric vehicle drivers. The same fines apply for non-payment as for petrol and diesel vehicles.