When Does My Car Need Taxing?

The sales tax may be due at the time of purchase or when you register the vehicle. When you lease a vehicle, the sales or use tax you pay is set by the state or county where your vehicle is registered.

When should I tax my car?

You need to tax your car every year or whenever you buy a new or used car. You can either tax your car for six or 12 months or pay in monthly instalments[2]. If your tax is due to expire, you will receive a reminder letter from the DVLA in the post.

Do I have to tax my new car immediately?

This means before you drive away with the car that you've just bought, you need to tax it as a legal requirement. If you're buying from a dealer, they will be able to sort that for you. However, if you're buying the car from a private individual, you can't take advantage of any tax that's left on the car.