Did you know that in the UK, if your vehicle was built before 1 January 1985, you can stop paying vehicle tax from 1 April 2025? Great news for all classic owners and actually, it’s a pretty simple system to register your car or van for ‘historic tax class’ status. We’ve been finding out how to register your vehicle for historic tax class and how to maintain that status.
MOT and tax for classic vehicles
You’ll be exempt from requiring an MOT if the vehicle was first registered more than 40 years ago and no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle during the last 30 years. You don’t need to apply for MOT exemption but it’s important to remember that you can be fined up to £2,500 and get three penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
However, unlike an MOT exemption, you need to apply for a vehicle tax exemption, which is sometimes referred to as putting a vehicle into the ‘historic tax class’ - you must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay.
Eligible vehicles
You can apply for these vehicles to be made exempt:
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Cars
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Vans
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Motorcycles
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Tricycles
Large vehicles, buses and specialist vehicles can also become tax-exempt.
Your vehicle will not be exempt from vehicle tax if:
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It’s used for hire or reward (for example, it’s used as a taxi for paying customers)
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It’s used commercially for a trade or business
How do I apply for a vehicle tax exemption?
You can apply at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax and you’ll need to take:
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The log book (V5C) in your name
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Your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11), if you have one
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Evidence of a current MOT (if your vehicle needs one) - for example, a copy of your vehicle’s MOT history or your MOT certificate, if you have one
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Evidence if your vehicle’s exempt from an MOT (V112)
If you’re in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to take:
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An MOT certificate that’s valid when the tax starts
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An insurance certificate or cover note
Renewing your historic vehicle's vehicle tax
DVLA will send you a vehicle tax reminder letter before your tax is due to expire. You’ll need to tax your vehicle, but will not need to pay.
NB* It’s illegal to drive your vehicle if you have not taxed it. You can be fined £80 if you do not tax your vehicle on time.
If in doubt, https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles/vehicles-exempt-from-vehicle-tax is an excellent source of up-to-date information for historic vehicle owners and drivers.
All details are correct at time of publication.