Taxing vehicles online

A new online and telephone car tax service has been launched by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to make relicensing easier and more convenient.

Through the new system, registered keepers can apply to renew their tax discs online or over the telephone. The new process, which will allow people to relicense from home, or even when they are abroad, utilises the new Electronic Vehicle Licensing (EVL) facility, which links Britain’s electronic insurance and MOT databases with the DVLA’s vehicle records. In practice, this means that drivers will no longer have to show paper copies of their tax renewal reminder, MOT certificates and insurance certificates in order to renew their tax discs.

This new service has been introduced in response to a recent survey (YouGov Survey of 2,281 UK Drivers, December 2005) which highlighted the customer demand. The survey revealed that 68 per cent of motorists would prefer to renew their car tax online because it is quicker and more convenient, and 39 per cent of drivers admitted they would be more likely to relicense on time.

The way the service works is described below.

The DVLA will automatically send invitations to vehicle keepers (known as a vehicle licence application or V11 form) to renew their tax discs and they will be given a unique 16-digit reference number to allow them to complete the process online. However, in order to do this certain requirements must be met.

For cars less than three years old (which do not require an MOT certificate):

• Keepers are automatically eligible to use the service.
• If the keeper has not received a V11 form and the vehicle does not require an MOT, the 11-digit reference number found on the front of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C) can be used.

For cars over three years old:

• Keepers of cars over three years old will need a new computerised MOT certificate (available from all MOT garages since the end of March 2006) to complete the transaction.
• If the vehicle has a new style computerised MOT certificate, the keeper can use the 11-digit reference number on the front of the V5C.

Regardless of the age of the vehicle, a registered keeper will not be able to use the new system if they:

• Have recently purchased the vehicle and their details are not held on the DVLA’s records.
• Have recently changed their name or address.
• Have recently changed their insurance company or any details of their vehicle.

If the keeper is eligible, the vehicle’s insurance details will be electronically checked with the Motor Insurance Database (MID), which is run by the Motor Insurers Information Centre (MIIC). The new style MOT certificates will also be checked electronically via a link to the computerised MOT test certificate database.

The registered keeper can then choose the tax disc they require (six or 12 months) and then must enter their payment details (an additional charge of £2.50 will be added if payment is by credit card).

The tax disc and the receipt for payment will then be sent to the registered keeper’s address (as held by the DVLA) within five working days. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc or by calling 0870 850 4444.