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Can I tax my car without having insurance?
In the UK, owning and operating a vehicle requires compliance with several legal requirements, including having valid insurance and paying for the annual tax or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). The two are closely related as the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) checks whether a vehicle is insured before it can be taxed. In this article, we will explore the rules and regulations surrounding the requirement to have car insurance in order to tax a vehicle.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that having insurance is a legal requirement for all vehicles that are driven on public roads. This means that in order to tax a vehicle, it must have valid car insurance. The DVLA has a Motor Insurance Database (MID) which automatically checks if a vehicle is insured and has a valid MOT (Ministry of Transport test) certificate. This information is used when a vehicle is taxed either online or at a post office.
It’s worth noting that in Northern Ireland, you’ll need the insurance document or cover note if you pay for your car tax at the post office. This is because the insurance document or cover note serves as proof of insurance.
However, there is an exception to this rule. If a vehicle is not being driven on public roads and is being kept off the road, it can be given a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) declaration. This declaration, made by the vehicle owner to the DVLA, states that the vehicle will not be used on public roads and will be kept off the road. This means that the vehicle does not need to be registered, taxed, or insured while it is not being driven on public roads. However, once a vehicle with a SORN is taken out of storage and put back on the road, it must be re-registered, taxed, and insured.
It’s also important to note that if a vehicle is taxed but does not have valid insurance, it cannot be driven on public roads. If a vehicle is found to be driven on public roads without insurance, the vehicle owner may face fines and penalties. Additionally, if a vehicle is found to be driven on public roads without insurance and it is involved in an accident, the vehicle owner may be held liable for any damages or injuries caused.
In conclusion, it is not possible to tax a vehicle without insurance in the UK. The DVLA checks whether a vehicle is insured before it can be taxed, and failure to have valid insurance can result in fines and penalties. However, if a vehicle is not being driven on public roads and is being kept off the road, it can be given a SORN declaration, which means it does not need to be registered, taxed, or insured while it is not being driven on public roads. It’s crucial for vehicle owners to understand the rules and regulations regarding tax and insurance in the UK to avoid any penalties.
Car tax
New VED system – for cars registered from 2017
| Emissions (g/CO2/km) | First year rate | Standard rate* |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | £0 | £0 |
| 1-50 | £10 | £140 |
| 51-75 | £25 | £140 |
| 76-90 | £100 | £140 |
| 91-100 | £120 | £140 |
| 101-110 | £140 | £140 |
| 111-130 | £160 | £140 |
| 131-150 | £200 | £140 |
| 151-170 | £500 | £140 |
| 171-190 | £800 | £140 |
| 191-225 | £1200 | £140 |
| 226-255 | £1700 | £140 |
| over 255 | £2000 | £140 |
*Cars over £40,000 pay a £310 supplement for 5 years.
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