# Vehicle Tax Doesn't Transfer When You Buy a Car

Published 27 September 2026. CarCheckUp guide: https://carcheckup.co.uk/blog/vehicle-tax-doesnt-transfer-when-you-buy-a-car/

> Since 2014, vehicle tax no longer passes to a car's new owner. Here is what that means when you buy or sell, how to tax a car straight away and how refunds work.

Before October 2014, a car's tax disc stayed with the car when it was sold. That's no longer the case: **vehicle tax doesn't transfer to a new keeper**. Many buyers still don't know this and drive away untaxed without realising.

## What happens when a car is sold

- When the seller tells DVLA the car has been sold, the seller's tax ends.
- DVLA automatically refunds the seller for any full months left.
- If the seller paid by Direct Debit, it's cancelled automatically.
- The buyer must tax the car in their own name before driving it.

## How to tax a car you've just bought

1. Get the **new keeper slip (V5C/2)** from the seller. It has the reference number you need.
2. Tax the car online on GOV.UK, by phone or at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax, using that reference number.
3. The tax starts straight away, so you can drive the car home legally (as long as it has a valid MOT and you're insured).

Buying from a dealer? Many dealers tax the car for you before handover, but check.

## Driving without tax

An untaxed car on a public road can lead to a fine, and it can be clamped or impounded. Enforcement is automatic, using the DVLA record, so it doesn't matter that the seller's tax had months left.

## How much will it cost?

The rate depends on when the car was first registered, its CO2 emissions or engine size, and for newer cars its list price. A [road tax check](https://carcheckup.co.uk/car-tax-calculator) shows the tax band and cost, and our [car tax guide](https://carcheckup.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-my-car-tax-a-comprehensive-car-tax-guide/) explains how the bands work. You can check whether a car is currently taxed with a [tax check](https://carcheckup.co.uk/dvla-tax-check).

## If you're selling

Tell DVLA about the sale straight away, online or using the V5C, and give the buyer the V5C/2. You'll get your refund automatically. See [how to tell DVLA you've sold a vehicle](https://carcheckup.co.uk/blog/how-to-tell-dvla-youve-sold-transferred-or-bought-a-vehicle/).

## Key points

- Vehicle tax ends when a car is sold; the seller gets a refund.
- Tax the car with the V5C/2 reference number before you drive it.
- For cars that are off the road, see [SORN rules](https://carcheckup.co.uk/blog/what-is-a-sorn-and-can-you-buy-a-sorn-car/).

To see whether a car is taxed right now, use a **car tax check**: our free [vehicle tax check](https://carcheckup.co.uk/dvla-tax-check) shows the tax status and due date, or SORN, for any registration.