The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is reminding vehicle owners that they can claim back some of their road tax in certain circumstances. The DVLA is the Government department that issues driving licences and, essentially, keeps tabs on all drivers.
Most motorists will need to pay tax when the vehicle is first registered, with this then covering the vehicle for 12 months. Further payments will then need to be made every six or 12 months, although some cars are exempt.
In a new update, the DVLA has highlighted that motorists could be eligible for a road tax refund if their vehicle is temporarily not in use. If you’re not using your vehicle and are taking it off the road, for example storing it in a garage, you can tell the DVLA.
This is sometimes called a “Statutory Off Road Notification” (SORN). This will see you refunded for any full months of remaining tax, but you won’t be able to use the vehicle on the road until you tax it again.
An alert shared on X, formerly Twitter, from the DVLA reads: “Need to take your vehicle off the road? Tell us online. You’ll get a refund for any full months of remaining tax! #DVLADigital”.
Gov.uk guidance continues: “You do not need to make a SORN for a vehicle you’ve already sold. Tell DVLA you’ve sold a vehicle instead. Your SORN will start immediately if either your vehicle tax has expired or you’re not applying in the month your vehicle tax is due to expire.
“Your SORN will start on the first day of the next month if you apply in the month your vehicle tax is due to expire. You can apply online if the vehicle is registered in your name.”
It is free to register your vehicle as off the road: however, you’ll need your vehicle log book (V5C). If you do not have this, you’ll need to send an application for a log book (V62) and a V890 form to DVLA, and a new log book costs £25.