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DVLA GUIDE - Unofficial Guide to the DVLA Tax Vehicle While Abroad

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Tax Vehicle While Abroad

If you're going to be abroad when your vehicle tax expires, you can tax online, by phone, tax in advance or get someone to tax your vehicle for you. You can arrange to get the tax disc sent to an address abroad.

Tax Online or by Phone

To tax your vehicle while abroad, use the reference number on your V11 reminder or Registration Certificate to renew your tax from the fifth day of the month in which the tax disc expires. The tax disc can only be sent to the address shown on your V11 reminder or Registration Certificate.

Tax in Advance

You can renew your tax up to two calendar months in advance in person or by post at a Post Office branch that deals with advance applications or a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) local office.

You'll Need:

  • Registration Certificate
  • completed V10 or Vehicle licence application
  • insurance certificate or cover note – must be valid when the tax disc comes into force
  • valid MOT certificate - if the car or motorcycle is over three years old - must be valid when the tax disc comes into force
  • the payment for vehicle tax
  • a letter to explain why you're taxing in advance if you're making a postal application

Get Someone to Tax Your Vehicle for You

Ask a friend or relative to tax your vehicle using the V11 reminder or V10 or Vehicle licence application with your Registration Certificate. They can put the tax disc on your vehicle or post it to you.

Using Your Vehicle When You Return From Abroad

When you return from abroad, you must have a tax disc to be able to drive your vehicle home or you'll be committing an offence. There are no concessions.