The way in which you tax your new or used vehicle for the first time or how you renew your tax on expiry of your existing tax disc will depend on the documentation available to you.
You may be able to renew your tax disc online, provided that you have the appropriate documentation. The easy to use service will take you step by step through the transaction and a tax disc will be delivered to you within five working days.
About three weeks before your vehicle tax disc expires you should receive a Vehicle Licence Application/Statutory Off Road Notification form V11 (V11(NI)) or a V85/1 (V13(NI)) 'application for a vehicle tax disc for some heavy goods vehicles' from the DVLA or DVA. You can use the renewal form to re-tax the vehicle as long as the date from which the vehicle tax is to run, the vehicle details and the taxation class printed on the form are all still correct. The application form will specify the required supporting documentation and the payment of vehicle tax, if needed.
If you do not receive this reminder the law still requires you to either tax the vehicle or, if it is being kept off road, make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
You do not need to show your registration document or certificate when you re-tax the vehicle with a V11 or V11(NI) form, unless you have changed your name or address. If you have, the registration document or certificate can be handed in at the place where you tax your vehicle or you can return it to the DVLA or DVA yourself. You will need to show your registration document or certificate with V85/1 or V13(NI).
If taxing at a Post Office® branch, they will scan the V11 or V11(NI) form and return this to you for your records.
If you have not received a tax renewal reminder form or do not have one because you have just purchased the vehicle, you can still tax your vehicle if you have a registration document (V5 or V5(NI)), registration certificate (V5C or V5C(NI)) or a new keepers supplement (V5/2 (V5/2(NI)) or V5C/2 (V5C/2(NI))).The V5/2 or V5/2(NI) and V5C/2 or V5C/2(NI) are valid for two months from the date you purchased the vehicle for taxing purposes. You will need to fill in a form V10 or V10(NI) 'application for a vehicle licence', or V85 or V12(NI) 'application for a heavy goods vehicle licence' which you can download from the www.direct.gov.uk website, DVA website (www.dvlni.gov.uk/vehicles) or at Post Office® branches and DVLA or DVA local offices. The application should be accompanied by supporting documentation and the payment for vehicle tax, if required.
If you have a V5/2 (V5/2(NI)) or V5C/2 (V5C/2(NI)) and the tax details shown on it need to be changed, you will need to fill in a V62 or V34(NI) 'application for a registration certificate' and apply with a V10 (V10(NI)) or V85 (V12(NI)) at a DVLA or DVA local office. You can get the V62 or V34(NI) from Post Office® branches or DVLA or DVA local offices or from the www.direct.gov.uk website or the DVA website (www.dvlni.gov.uk/vehicles).
If you do not have the vehicle tax renewal reminder form because your vehicle is registered as 'not licensed', you should apply on form V10 (V10(NI)) at a DVLA or DVA local office.
If you have just bought the vehicle and do not have a V5 (V5(NI)), V5C (V5C(NI)), V5/2 (V5/2(NI)) or V5C/2 (V5C/2(NI)), you cannot tax your vehicle until you have a registration certificate (V5C or V5C(NI)) in your name. You can apply for a registration certificate using form V62 or V34(NI) (£25 fee applicable). The DVLA and DVA aim to deliver the registration certificate within six weeks. When you receive your new registration certificate, you can then tax your vehicle.
If you are the current registered keeper of the vehicle and have no documentation, you may be able to tax it at any DVLA or DVA local office. You should complete form V62 or V34(NI) (£25 fee applicable) as well as form V10 (V10(NI)) or V85 (V12(NI)), and enclose the appropriate rate of vehicle tax and other supporting documentation. If you have changed your name and or address you will need to provide proof of identity with your application. Acceptable evidence is a current driving licence, original bank or building society statement, or a recent utility bill. If your name has changed acceptable evidence is a marriage certificate, decree nisi or decree absolute or deed poll.
Most new vehicles should be taxed before you take delivery. If not, you will need to register the vehicle yourself at a DVLA or DVA local office, by completing a V55/4 application form (available at the DVLA or DVA local office).
