The DVLA holds more than 52 million driver records and 46 million vehicle records
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has delivered an important message to motorists throughout Great Britain. The Government body, which maintains over 46 million vehicle records, encouraged drivers to establish a vital notification system.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, it said: “Get vehicle tax reminders by email or text by setting up your Driver and vehicles account on GOV.UK. It’s free and easy to do.”
Vehicle tax is primarily calculated based on engine size or fuel type and CO2 emissions, depending on when the vehicle was first registered. According to the RAC, most drivers will fork out approximately £195 in car tax this year, though this can differ on an individual basis.
“Cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017 are taxed against one of three VED bands – zero, standard or premium,” RAC guidance states. “For cars registered between 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017, the rates are split into different CO2 bands – the lower the tailpipe emissions, the lower the vehicle tax.
“In order to tax a vehicle, suitable car insurance cover must be in place, while the vehicle must also have a valid MOT if it is over three years old (four years in Northern Ireland). Both are checked electronically when you apply for car tax.”
You can discover more about the car tax you might owe at GOV.UK. This will typically require using a reference number which can be located in a vehicle log book (V5C – which must be in your name) or the green ‘new keeper’ slip from a log book if you’ve recently purchased it.
If you’re missing these documents, you’ll have to apply for a new logbook and you can sort out your vehicle tax at the same time. You might find the reference number you need in a recent vehicle tax reminder or ‘last chance’ warning letter from the DVLA, too.
Motorists can also contact the DVLA via their 24-hour phone service on 0300 123 4321 or pop into a local Post Office that handles vehicle tax for further assistance.
Besides this, the DVLA has also recently encouraged any motorist over 70 to ensure their driving licence is up-to-date. Taking to X, its spokespeople previously wrote: “Are you 70 or over and due to renew your driving licence?
“Do it for free!…It’s easy, quick and secure on GOV.UK.” Car users over this age must remember that their driving licences require renewal every three years, rather than the usual 10.
The DVLA typically sends a reminder before your 70th birthday and each time your licence requires renewal. Although current rules state that older drivers are not required to retake their driving test at 70, they must submit a health declaration before obtaining a new licence.
People with medical conditions or disabilities might need an evaluation of their driving ability. For licence renewal applications, people over 70 generally need to provide these details:
- National Insurance number (if you know it)
- A valid UK passport number (if you want to change the licence photo)
- An email address
- Addresses of where you’ve lived for the last three years
For more information, head to GOV.UK.