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Free car tax check — is it taxed and legal to drive?
Enter a UK registration plate and we'll tell you instantly whether the car is taxed, when the road tax is due, and whether it holds a valid MOT — straight from the DVLA.
What the car tax check shows
CarVouch queries the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service in real time. This is the same official database used by the DVLA, ANPR cameras, and the police.
Tax status
Whether the vehicle is currently taxed, SORN (off-road), or has an unknown/exempt status.
Tax due date
The date the current Vehicle Excise Duty expires — useful for budgeting road tax costs.
MOT validity
Whether the car holds a current valid MOT, and the MOT expiry date from DVLA records.
Vehicle details
Make, colour, fuel type, year, engine size — cross-check against what the seller told you.
CO2 & Euro status
Emissions rating from DVLA — useful for checking ULEZ compliance and road tax band.
Risk score
We combine all this with the full MOT history into one clear 0–100 risk score.
Understanding tax status
Taxed
The vehicle currently holds valid road tax. Check the due date to see when it expires — you may need to budget for renewal soon after purchase.
SORN
A Statutory Off Road Notification means the car has been declared off-road. It cannot legally be driven on public roads and cannot be parked on a public road. The seller must tax it before handing it over.
Exempt
Some vehicles are exempt from road tax — for example, historic vehicles over 40 years old, disabled tax class, or certain agricultural vehicles. Exempt does not mean untaxed.
Unknown
If DVLA cannot return a tax status it may indicate the vehicle has not been registered, is awaiting first registration, or there is a data discrepancy.
Car tax check — FAQs
Yes. CarVouch queries the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service on your behalf and shows you the result at no cost. No sign-up, no payment.
You can purchase a SORN vehicle, but the seller must tax it before driving it to you (or you must arrange to collect it on a trailer or low-loader). Driving a SORN car on public roads is illegal.
No. Road tax is linked to the registered keeper, not the vehicle. When a car changes hands the existing tax is automatically cancelled and the previous keeper is refunded for any full months remaining. You must tax the car before driving it away.
DVLA can issue a penalty of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days) plus back tax. Police can also issue a Fixed Penalty Notice. The vehicle can be clamped or impounded.
Yes. The DVLA tax check only requires the registration plate. You do not need the V5C. The result comes from the DVLA's live database.
Check tax & MOT status now — free
Live DVLA data. Results in seconds. No account needed.