Owning a car in the UK comes with a set of legal duties and running costs that are easy to lose track of. Tax, MOT, insurance, servicing and paperwork all have their own dates and rules, and missing one can leave you uninsured or unable to drive. This guide brings everything together in one place, from the day you buy a car to the day you sell or scrap it. Figures such as tax rates, fines and charges change regularly, so always check the current details on GOV.UK.
The legal basics every owner must cover
To use a car on a public road in the UK, it generally needs to be taxed, insured and, once it is old enough, have a valid MOT certificate. The driver also needs a valid licence for that type of vehicle and must be fit to drive, including meeting the eyesight standard. If any of these is missing, you may be breaking the law even if the car never leaves your street.
The registered keeper is the person named on the vehicle log book, the V5C, and is responsible for keeping the car taxed or declared off the road. The keeper is not always the legal owner; for example, a car on some finance agreements may be owned by the finance company. Keep your V5C safe and up to date, because you need it to tax, sell or make changes to the car.
Enforcement is largely automatic. The DVLA and the insurance industry share records, so an untaxed or uninsured vehicle on the road can be identified by cameras and database checks. The simplest protection is to set reminders for every renewal date and to act on any letter from the DVLA promptly.
- Vehicle tax, or a SORN if kept off the road
- Insurance whenever the car is not declared off the road
- A valid MOT once the car is old enough
- A valid driving licence and meeting the eyesight rules
- An up-to-date V5C log book
Vehicle tax and SORN
Vehicle tax, sometimes still called road tax, is paid to the DVLA. The amount depends on factors such as when the car was first registered, its emissions and its list price when new, and the rates change, so check the current figure on GOV.UK. Electric cars, which used to be exempt, now also pay vehicle tax. You can usually pay in full, in instalments by Direct Debit, or for six months.
Tax does not transfer when a car changes hands. When you buy a car, you must tax it before driving it, even if the seller had time left. When you sell, scrap or declare the car off the road, the DVLA automatically cancels the tax and refunds any full months remaining.
If you keep a car off public roads, for example on a driveway or in a garage while it is being repaired, you can make a Statutory Off Road Notification, known as a SORN. A car with a SORN must not be kept or driven on a public road, with a narrow exception for driving it to a pre-booked MOT, and it still needs insurance for that journey. The SORN stays in place until you tax, sell or scrap the car.
The MOT test
The MOT is an annual check that a vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards. In England, Scotland and Wales, most cars need their first MOT when they are three years old, and then every year after that. Northern Ireland runs its own testing system, and cars there need their first test at four years old. Some older historic vehicles may be exempt, but the owner is still responsible for keeping them roadworthy.
You can check a car's MOT due date and history free on GOV.UK using its registration number. The history shows past results, recorded mileages and advisory items, which is useful when buying a used car. You can have the test done up to a month minus a day before the due date and keep the same renewal date.
An MOT is not a service and does not check the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox in depth. A pass certificate means the car met the minimum standard on the day of the test, not that it will stay roadworthy all year. Keep checking it yourself between tests and fix advisory items before they become failures.
| Duty | When it applies | Who deals with it |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle tax or SORN | Always, unless the vehicle is exempt; tax does not transfer on sale | DVLA |
| MOT test | From three years old in Great Britain, four in Northern Ireland, then yearly | Approved MOT test centres, overseen by DVSA; DVA in Northern Ireland |
| Insurance | Whenever the car is not declared off the road | Your chosen insurer |
| V5C log book up to date | When you move, change details, buy or sell | DVLA |
| Driving licence renewal | Photocard every ten years; at 70 and then every three years | DVLA; DVA in Northern Ireland |
| Medical conditions | If you develop a condition that could affect safe driving | DVLA, with advice from your GP |
| Safety recalls | When the manufacturer issues a recall for your model | Franchised dealer; check with the government recall checker |
Car insurance
The legal minimum is third party insurance, which covers injury to other people and damage to their property. Third party, fire and theft adds cover if your car is stolen or catches fire, and comprehensive also covers damage to your own car. Comprehensive is not always the most expensive option, so compare all three levels.
Give accurate information when you apply and at renewal, including where the car is kept overnight, the main driver, your annual mileage, modifications and past claims or convictions. Getting these wrong, even by accident, can lead to a claim being reduced or refused. Naming yourself as a named driver when someone else is really the main driver, known as fronting, is fraud.
Do not simply accept your renewal price. Compare quotes, check what excess you would pay, and look at extras such as a courtesy car, legal expenses and breakdown cover to see whether you really need them. If you have a complaint your insurer does not resolve, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free to use.
Breakdown cover is not a legal requirement, but it is worth having for most drivers. Policies range from roadside help only to national recovery and cover at home. Check whether you already have cover through a bank account, the car's manufacturer warranty or your insurance, so you do not pay twice, and keep the helpline number saved in your phone and written down in the car.
- Third party only: the legal minimum
- Third party, fire and theft: adds cover for your car in those events
- Comprehensive: also covers damage to your own car
- Check the excess, named drivers and declared mileage
Servicing and everyday maintenance
Regular servicing keeps a car safe, reliable and more economical to run. Follow the manufacturer's schedule, which is usually based on time or mileage, whichever comes first, and keep every receipt and service record. A full history also helps when you come to sell. Under competition rules, you can generally have your car serviced at an independent garage without affecting the manufacturer's warranty, provided the work follows the schedule and uses suitable parts.
Between services, carry out simple checks yourself. Look at tyre pressures and tread, fluid levels, lights, wipers and warning lights on the dashboard. Tyres must meet a minimum legal tread depth, and worn or damaged tyres greatly reduce grip, especially in the wet.
Keep an eye out for safety recalls. Manufacturers usually write to registered keepers about recalls, which is another reason to keep your V5C address up to date. You can also check whether a vehicle has an outstanding recall using the government's vehicle recall checker, and recall work is normally done free by a franchised dealer.
Fuel, charging and running costs
Fuel is usually the biggest regular cost of running a petrol or diesel car. Smooth driving, correct tyre pressures, removing roof boxes when not in use and avoiding unnecessary weight all help. Standard petrol in the UK is E10, which contains a higher proportion of renewable ethanol; most modern petrol cars can use it, but check compatibility for older or classic vehicles using the government's online checker.
If you drive an electric car, most owners charge at home where they can, using a dedicated home charge point installed by a qualified installer. Do not run a car charging cable from a household extension lead, which can overheat. Public charging networks vary in speed, payment method and price, so plan longer journeys using a charging app and have a backup option.
Build a full picture of your running costs, not just fuel. Include insurance, tax, servicing, tyres, MOT, parking, tolls, any clean air zone or congestion charges, and depreciation, which is the loss in value over time. Knowing the true cost per month helps you decide whether a car is still worth keeping.
Some towns and cities operate clean air zones, low emission zones or congestion charges, which may charge older or more polluting vehicles to enter. The rules, boundaries and charges differ from place to place and can change, so check the local council or transport authority's information before you travel, and check your own vehicle's status online. Some bridges, tunnels and roads also have tolls, and some can only be paid online after your journey.
Paperwork and telling the DVLA about changes
The DVLA needs to know about certain changes. You must update the address on your driving licence and your V5C when you move; updating it is free. You must also tell the DVLA if you change the car's colour, engine or other major details, and if you develop certain medical conditions or disabilities that could affect your driving.
Photocard driving licences need renewing every ten years, and drivers must renew their licence at age 70 and then every three years if they want to keep driving. Keep your licence details up to date to avoid problems with insurance and enforcement.
Store key documents together: the V5C, MOT certificates, service history, insurance documents and any finance agreement. A simple folder or scanned copies make it far easier to deal with renewals, claims and selling.
- Change of address on your licence and V5C
- Changes to the car's details
- Medical conditions that may affect driving
- Licence renewal dates
Your responsibilities on the road
The Highway Code sets out rules and guidance for all road users. Some of it reflects law, marked by words such as must, and some is advice. Updates in recent years introduced a hierarchy of road users, placing greater responsibility on drivers of larger vehicles to look out for people walking, cycling and riding horses. It is worth rereading the Code every few years.
It is illegal to hold and use a phone or similar device while driving, including when stopped at traffic lights or in queuing traffic. Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, including some prescription medicines that affect driving; ask your pharmacist if you are unsure. Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts where fitted, and children must use the correct child car seat for their height or weight.
If you are involved in a collision, you must stop. Where anyone is injured or damage is caused, you must give your name, address and vehicle registration to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask, and if you cannot do so at the scene you must report it to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours. Call 999 if anyone is injured or the road is blocked in a dangerous way.
Selling, scrapping and changing cars
When you sell a car privately or to a dealer, you must tell the DVLA straight away, which you can do online, and give the buyer the new keeper slip from the V5C. Until the DVLA has been told, you may receive fines and tax bills for the car. Cancel or transfer your insurance and any breakdown cover, and remove personal data from the car's navigation and connected apps.
If a car is at the end of its life, it must be scrapped at an authorised treatment facility, which will give you a certificate of destruction. This shows that the car has been disposed of properly and that you are no longer responsible for it. Be wary of unlicensed collectors who offer cash with no paperwork.
Before buying your next car, decide on your budget including running costs, check the vehicle's history, MOT record and outstanding finance, and view it in person with the V5C. If a car turns out to be faulty after you buy it from a dealer, you have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and Citizens Advice can explain your options.
Key terms explained
- V5C
- The vehicle registration certificate, or log book, which records the registered keeper and key details of the vehicle.
- Registered keeper
- The person responsible for the vehicle in the DVLA's records, who is not always the legal owner.
- SORN
- Statutory Off Road Notification, a declaration that a vehicle is being kept off public roads and so does not need to be taxed.
- MOT
- An annual test that checks a vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards.
- Advisory
- An item noted on an MOT result that did not cause a failure but may need attention soon.
- Excess
- The amount you pay towards an insurance claim before your insurer pays the rest.
- Fronting
- Falsely naming a less risky person as the main driver of a car on an insurance policy, which is a form of insurance fraud.
- Depreciation
- The fall in a car's value over time, often one of the biggest hidden costs of ownership.
- E10
- The standard grade of petrol in the UK, containing a higher proportion of renewable ethanol than older E5 petrol.
- Authorised treatment facility
- A licensed site that can legally scrap vehicles and issue a certificate of destruction.
- DVSA
- The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which sets MOT standards, carries out driving tests and handles vehicle safety recalls in Great Britain.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a bought car is already taxed can leave you driving illegally, so tax it before your first journey because tax never transfers between keepers.
- Forgetting to tell the DVLA when you sell can leave you liable for the new keeper's fines, so notify them straight away and keep the confirmation.
- Letting insurance lapse on a car that is not declared off the road breaks the rules even if it is parked, so keep it insured or make a SORN.
- Treating an MOT pass as a clean bill of health leads to breakdowns, so follow the service schedule and act on advisory items.
- Giving inaccurate details to your insurer can void a claim, so declare the main driver, mileage, modifications and overnight parking honestly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check when my MOT and tax are due?
You can check both free on GOV.UK using your registration number. The DVLA also sends tax reminders to the registered keeper, and you can sign up for MOT reminders.
Can I drive my car to a garage if its MOT has expired?
You can generally drive it to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs required to pass, but it must still be insured and roadworthy. If it is dangerous, have it transported instead.
Do electric cars need an MOT and vehicle tax?
Yes. Electric cars follow the same MOT rules as other cars, and they now pay vehicle tax too. Check the current rates on GOV.UK.
Do I have to tell the DVLA about a medical condition?
You must tell the DVLA about certain conditions that could affect your driving. GOV.UK lists them, and your GP can advise you. You may also need to tell your insurer.
What happens to my tax when I sell my car?
When the DVLA is told about the sale, the tax is cancelled automatically and any full months remaining are refunded. The new keeper must tax the car before driving it.
Where can I complain about a garage or dealer?
Raise the issue in writing with the business first. If it is not resolved, the Motor Ombudsman may help if the business is accredited, and Citizens Advice can explain your consumer rights.