DVLA issues warning to drivers who pay car tax by Direct Debit

The DVLA has issued a car tax warning - with THOUSANDS of motorists and road users impacted, including Birmingham drivers. Drivers can be slapped with an £80 fine if they do not tax their vehicle or tell the DVLA that a model is off the road.

The DVLA has reminded drivers can set up a Direct Debit for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) payments using a Direct Debit, which will automatically take money directly from a bank account when fees are due ensuring no charge is ever accidentally missed.

The DVLA posted on X: "When you set up a Direct Debit for vehicle tax, it will renew automatically when it’s due to run out – so there's no need to worry." Drivers can tax their car, motorcycle or other vehicle using a reference number from a recent vehicle tax reminder or ‘last chance’ warning letter from DVLA, your vehicle log book (V5C) - it must be in your name or the green ‘new keeper’ slip from a log book if you’ve just bought it.

READ MORE: Missing woman sparks concern as public urged to 'not approach and call 999'

READ MORE: Tenerife and Lanzarote extend 'emergency' measures until February 2025

READ MORE Eight popular beers will be axed from UK pubs

If you do not have any of these documents, you’ll need to apply for a new log book. You can tax your vehicle at the same time. You can pay by debit or credit card, or Direct Debit. You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything, for example if you’re exempt because you’re disabled.

You’ll need to meet all the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive. Apply by phone on DVLA vehicle tax service using the telephone number 0300 123 4321 over a 24-hour service. But be warned: you cannot pay by Direct Debit over the phone.

Go to a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax. You need to take either the payment for your vehicle tax or your bank or building society account details to set up a Direct Debit. You will not need these payment details if your vehicle is exempt from tax.