{"id":4147,"date":"2021-05-25T11:36:37","date_gmt":"2021-05-25T10:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/?p=4147"},"modified":"2022-03-31T10:39:57","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T09:39:57","slug":"what-documents-do-i-need-to-tax-my-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/what-documents-do-i-need-to-tax-my-car\/","title":{"rendered":"What documents do I need to tax my car?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like it or not, being on top of paperwork is a pretty important part of owning a vehicle. We know how tedious it can be here at Scrap Car Network, which is exactly why we try and make it all as straightforward as possible when you decide – I need to scrap my car<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before you get to that stage though, it\u2019s still particularly important to make sure you keep up with the essential bits of admin, like tax and insurance, especially since it\u2019s illegal to take the car on the roads without them. The good news is that sorting out tax is a pretty simple process, particularly if you\u2019ve got all the right paperwork. Here, we\u2019ve explained how to get the job done, whether you\u2019re the current owner of the car, or you\u2019ve just bought one. Let\u2019s start with an obvious question\u2026<\/p>\n

Do I need to tax my car?<\/h2>\n

Yes. All cars need to be taxed in order for them to be road-legal. The confusion around this question seems to have arisen from the fact that certain cars are exempt from actually paying tax, such as electric vehicles, and those used by people with disabilities. However, even if your car fits the definition of a tax-exempt vehicle, you\u2019ll still need to apply for tax anyway, so that its tax-exempt status can be verified through official means. (Otherwise, there wouldn\u2019t be much stopping pretty much anyone from unilaterally deciding that their car is tax-exempt, and you can see why the government wouldn\u2019t be too keen on that!)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that the law surrounding vehicle tax, and the way in which it\u2019s calculated, changed in April 2017. The RAC has helpfully published an extensive guide to car tax bands<\/strong><\/a> if you need a little more detail.<\/p>\n

You can choose to pay your vehicle tax either as a single lump sum for the year, or two six-monthly payments, or 12 monthly instalments. If you choose either of the latter two options, you\u2019ll be charged an additional 5%. You can pay the DVLA in cash, cheque, debit or credit card, or if you\u2019re paying at the Post Office, you can also make use of your Post Office Budget Card, Postal Order or Sterling travellers cheque.<\/p>\n

How to tax your own car as the current keeper<\/h2>\n

There are three ways that you can tax your car: online, over the phone, or in person at a Post Office. Depending on what method you choose, you\u2019ll need one of the following documents:<\/p>\n