Even if they are exempt from paying, you must still register your car07:02, 06 Jun 2026Drivers have been put on notice that they must carry out one vital task or risk being hit with a steep fine. Failing to pay your vehicle tax could land you with a penalty of up to £1,000.‌This charge, also known as vehicle tax or road tax, is a fee required for driving a motor vehicle on Britain's public roads. The money raised is then put towards infrastructure improvements, including the maintenance and repair of roads.‌The amount you'll pay depends on the type of vehicle you drive, though certain vehicles are exempt. That said, even if no payment is required, the vehicle must still be registered.‌On social media platform X, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) stated: "You must tax your vehicle, even if you don't have to pay anything."Content cannot be displayed without consentTo complete this process, you will require a reference number from either:‌A recent reminder or a "last chance" notification letter issued by DVLA regarding vehicle taxYour vehicle log book (V5C) which should be registered in your nameThe green "new keeper" portion of the log book if the vehicle has been newly acquiredIf you cannot locate any of these documents, you'll need to apply for a replacement log book. Payments can be made by debit or credit card, or by setting up a Direct Debit.The DVLA's website further explains: "You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything, for example if you're exempt because you're disabled."‌If you fail to tax your vehicle, you'll be sent an out-of-court settlement (OCS) letter. The charge is fixed at £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax amount.Failure to pay the OCS could result in the matter being escalated to the magistrates' court as a criminal offence, with penalties reaching either £1,000 or five times the taxable amount, whichever is higher.‌Additionally, your vehicle could be clamped, potentially leading to further charges. However, certain vehicles are exempt from this payment.If your car is used by a disabled person, you can claim the disability exemption when it's time to tax your vehicle. Of course, proof of eligibility for the disability exemption will be required.The DVLA clarified: "You can remove an exemption from a vehicle if it's no longer being used by a disabled person. You can only use your exemption on one vehicle at a time. If you have more than one vehicle, you'll need to choose which one will be exempt from vehicle tax."‌Vehicles operated by organisations that provide transport services for disabled individuals are also exempt from tax, although this does not extend to ambulances.Historic vehicles, specifically those manufactured before 1 January 1986, are not subject to vehicle tax. Owners can check their vehicle's eligibility on the Government website.‌Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are also exempt from vehicle tax under certain conditions:They must not exceed 8mph on roadsThey should be equipped with a mechanism restricting speed to 4mph on footpathsConcerning grass-cutting equipment, the DVLA states: "You do not have to pay vehicle tax on a mower that's designed and used for cutting grass only. This does not include tractors used to tow gang mowers."‌Vehicles running on steam power and agricultural, horticultural, and forestry vehicles are completely exempt from vehicle tax.Agricultural, horticultural, and forestry vehicles include:Article continues belowTractorsAgricultural enginesLight agricultural vehicles utilised off-road'Limited use' vehicles engaged in brief trips (not exceeding 1.5km) on public roads between parcels of land managed by the same individualFurthermore, electric heavy goods vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax if they exceed 3,500kg in weight.For additional information and to confirm your exemption status, visit the Government website here.