Quick Car Tax Question

ZXSpectrum · 27 Mar 2023 at 11:59

Hope someone can help, it has been a while since i purchased a car and i have been trying to find an answer to a question.

I am getting my new car tomorrow afternoon. I will be swapping the insurance over from my current car to the new one when i take ownership. Now the question is, the car is actually taxed but the current owner will probably be cancelling from the end of the month. So do i need to tax from that date or tomorrow? Its only £10 a year tax (hybrid) so it doesn't really make much difference, cost wise, but i just wanted to make sure the car is taxed for me to drive till Friday then me purchase a year on the 1st or do i need to purchase on the day i take ownership?

I did try to find the answer on the gov website but couldn't find the specific info i needed.

Thanks

Kenai · 27 Mar 2023 at 12:02

You need to purchase tax when you purchase the car, it doesn't transfer with ownership.

Scania · 27 Mar 2023 at 12:04

As above - You tax the car when you become it’s owner, it’s currently taxed as the previous owner has taxed it.

So basically tax it when you pick it up tomorrow.

Kenai · 27 Mar 2023 at 12:08

Tell DVLA you've sold, transferred or bought a vehicle

Tell DVLA you've sold your vehicle or transferred it to a new registered keeper (owner), or that you've bought a vehicle

www.gov.uk

This is the page that contains the note you're looking for:

You must tax a vehicle you’ve bought before you drive it, or declare it off the road (a SORN). The tax is not transferred to you when you buy the vehicle.

ZXSpectrum · 27 Mar 2023 at 13:45

Ah great thanks... Its only 90p but just wanted to make sure.

Semple · 27 Mar 2023 at 13:59

IIRC it's full months only as well, so if you pick up/tax it from tomorrow you've gotta pay for the whole of March. Not so much of an issue for you on a low tax car though.

Kenai · 27 Mar 2023 at 14:05

Semple said:
IIRC it's full months only as well, so if you pick up/tax it from tomorrow you've gotta pay for the whole of March. Not so much of an issue for you on a low tax car though.

Not only does the new owner pay for the entire month, I think the seller does too - i.e. they only get remaining full months refunded, so April onwards.

ZXSpectrum · 27 Mar 2023 at 16:09

Yeah i believe you are right from everything i read. Flipping DVLA getting their money worth double dipping.