How to Get Your Vehicle Tax Refund Back

How to claim a vehicle tax refund

To claim a vehicle tax refund, you need to tell DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) that you no longer own the vehicle or no longer need to tax it. DVLA will then refund any unused tax in your name — but only if you have a valid V5C registration certificate (the document that proves you own the car) and you surrender the number plate or confirm the vehicle is off the road.

The refund arrives as a cheque or bank transfer, usually within four weeks. You cannot claim a refund for tax you paid in previous years, only for the unused portion of the tax period you are currently in. For example, if your tax runs until 31 August and you stop using the vehicle on 30 June, you can claim a refund for July and August.

Key Takeaways

You can only claim a refund for unused tax in the current tax period, not for tax paid in previous years.
DVLA needs either a surrendered number plate or confirmation that the vehicle is off the road before they will process your refund.
You must have the V5C registration certificate (or a signed declaration if it is lost) to claim the refund in your name.
The refund is sent to the registered keeper — the person named on the V5C — so if you sold the car, the new owner must claim their own refund.

What you need before you start

Gather these documents before you contact DVLA. You will need the V5C registration certificate, which is the green and blue document that came with your vehicle when you first registered it. If you have lost the V5C, you can still claim a refund, but you will need to fill out a declaration form instead — DVLA will send you this if you ask.

You also need to know the vehicle registration number (the number plate) and the date you stopped using the vehicle. If you have sold the car, you need the date the new owner took it away. Have these details ready before you contact DVLA, as they will ask for them during the process.

Surrendering the number plate or declaring the vehicle off the road

DVLA will not process your refund until they know the vehicle is no longer in use. You have two options: surrender the number plate in person, or declare the vehicle off the road by post.

To surrender the number plate in person, take the V5C and the number plate itself to your local Post Office that handles vehicle tax. The Post Office will remove the plate and give you a receipt. You can then claim your refund online or by post using this receipt as proof.

If you cannot surrender the plate in person — for example, because the vehicle is broken down or you have already sold it — you can declare it off the road instead. Fill out form V890 (Statutory Off-Road Notification) and send it to DVLA with your V5C. DVLA will record that the vehicle is off the road and will process your refund without needing the physical plate.

How to submit your refund claim

Once you have surrendered the plate or declared the vehicle off the road, you can claim your refund online, by post, or in person at a Post Office.

The online route is fastest. Visit the DVLA website, select "Refund vehicle tax" and follow the steps. You will need to enter your V5C reference number, the vehicle registration number, and the date you stopped using the vehicle. DVLA will calculate the refund and ask how you want to receive it — by cheque or bank transfer. Bank transfer is quicker, usually arriving within two to three weeks.

If you prefer to claim by post, read form V14 from the DVLA website or ask for one at a Post Office. Fill it in with your details and the vehicle information, attach a copy of your V5C, and send it to the address on the form. Include a note of your bank details if you want the refund by transfer rather than cheque. Post takes longer — expect four to six weeks from the date DVLA receives your form.

What happens if you sold the vehicle

If you have sold the car, only the new owner can claim a refund for the tax period after they took ownership. You can only claim a refund for the tax you paid up to the date they took the vehicle away.

To claim your refund, you still need to surrender the number plate or declare the vehicle off the road. You can do this at a Post Office using the V5C, or you can send form V890 to DVLA. Once that is done, submit your refund claim with the date the new owner took the vehicle. DVLA will calculate the refund based on the unused portion of the tax period before that date.

The new owner will need to tax the vehicle in their own name before they can drive it. They will receive a new V5C once DVLA processes the change of ownership.

What to do if your V5C is lost or damaged

You can still claim a refund without the original V5C, but you will need to complete a declaration instead. Contact DVLA and ask for form V62 (process for a replacement V5C registration certificate) or form V890 (if you are declaring the vehicle off the road). Fill out the form, sign it, and send it to DVLA with a note explaining that the V5C is lost or damaged.

DVLA will send you a replacement V5C or process your off-road declaration, depending on which form you sent. Once that is done, you can claim your refund using the same online or postal methods as above.

Timescales and what to expect

The time it takes to receive your refund depends on how you claim and how you want to receive the money. Online claims with bank transfer are fastest — DVLA usually processes these within two to three weeks. Online claims with a cheque take three to four weeks. Postal claims take four to six weeks from the date DVLA receives your form.

DVLA will send you a confirmation letter or email once they have processed your claim. Keep this as proof in case you need to follow up. If you do not receive your refund within the expected timeframe, contact DVLA with your reference number and the date you submitted your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a refund if the vehicle is still on the road but I am not using it?

No. DVLA will only process a refund if the vehicle is either off the road (declared via form V890) or the number plate has been surrendered. straightforward not driving the car is not enough — you must formally notify DVLA that it is no longer in use.

What if I want to tax the vehicle again later in the year?

You can tax it again at any time by visiting a Post Office or the DVLA website. You will pay for a new tax period from the date you restart it. The refund you claimed earlier is separate and does not affect your ability to tax it again.

Do I get a refund if the vehicle is scrapped?

Yes. When you scrap a vehicle, the scrapyard will handle the paperwork with DVLA, but you should still claim your refund for any unused tax. Contact DVLA with the date the vehicle was scrapped and ask them to process your refund. You may need a certificate from the scrapyard as proof.

Can someone else claim the refund on my behalf?

Only the registered keeper (the person named on the V5C) can claim the refund in their own name. If you want someone else to handle it, you can give them power of attorney or sign a letter authorizing them to act on your behalf, but DVLA will still send the refund to you.

What if I am claiming a refund but still owe money on a finance agreement?

If the vehicle is financed, the finance company is usually named on the V5C as the "registered keeper". You will need their permission to declare the vehicle off the road or surrender the plate. Contact your finance company first — they may handle the refund claim themselves or ask you to do it with their written consent.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.