How to claim a car tax refund
You can claim a refund on your vehicle tax (road tax) if you've paid for a full year or longer period and no longer need the vehicle before that period ends. The refund covers the unused months only — you don't get back the time you already drove. DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) handles the refund, and the process takes between 4 and 6 weeks from the date they receive your claim. You'll need the vehicle registration document (V5C) and proof that the vehicle is off the road or has been sold.
The amount you receive depends on how many complete months are left on your tax disc. DVLA calculates this from the first day of the month after you make the claim, so timing matters. If you claim on the 15th of March, they count refundable months from April 1st onward. You cannot claim a refund for a partial month.
Key Takeaways
- You can only claim a refund for complete unused months of vehicle tax, not for time you've already driven the vehicle.
- DVLA calculates your refund from the first day of the month after your claim arrives, so the date you submit matters.
- You must prove the vehicle is off the road (SORN) or has been sold before DVLA will process the refund.
- The refund takes 4 to 6 weeks to reach your bank account after DVLA receives your claim.
- You can claim by post using form V890 or online through the DVLA website if you have a Government Gateway account.
When you can claim a refund
You're may have access to to a refund if you've paid for vehicle tax and the vehicle is no longer in use before the tax period ends. This covers several situations: you've sold the car, you're taking it off the road permanently, you're scrapping it, or you've exported it abroad. You cannot claim a refund if the vehicle is still being driven on public roads, even if you're not using it regularly.
The vehicle must be declared off the road using a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) before or at the same time as you claim the refund. If you've sold the vehicle, the new owner's name must be registered at DVLA. If you're scrapping it, you'll need a certificate of destruction from an authorised treatment facility (ATF).
You have no time limit to claim a refund — you can claim months or even years after the tax period ends. However, the sooner you claim, the sooner the money reaches your account, and you avoid the risk of losing paperwork.
How to claim by post
Download or request form V890 (Application for a refund of vehicle tax). You can get it from the DVLA website or by calling 0300 790 6802. Fill in your vehicle registration number, the date you want the refund to start from, and your bank details. Include the V5C registration document (or a photocopy) and proof that the vehicle is off the road or sold.
Proof of off-road status means either a SORN declaration (which DVLA will have on file if you've already submitted one) or a letter from you stating the vehicle is not being driven. If you've sold it, include the buyer's name and address or a copy of the sales receipt. If you're scrapping it, include the certificate of destruction from the ATF.
Send the completed form and documents to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. Keep copies of everything you send. DVLA will write to you when they receive the claim and again when the refund is processed. The refund goes directly into the bank account you provide on the form.
How to claim online
If you have a Government Gateway account, you can claim online through the DVLA website without printing or posting anything. Log in with your user ID and password, select the vehicle, and follow the prompts to request a refund. You'll need to upload a photo or scan of the V5C and any proof documents (SORN confirmation, sale receipt, or destruction certificate).
Online claims are processed in the same timeframe as postal claims — 4 to 6 weeks — but you'll receive email updates instead of letters. If you don't have a Government Gateway account, you can create one free on the GOV.UK website using your email address and National Insurance number.
Some people find online claiming faster because there's no postal delay, but DVLA's processing time is the same either way. Choose whichever method suits you.
What happens to your refund amount
DVLA calculates your refund based on the number of complete calendar months left on your tax disc after the month in which you submit your claim. If your tax runs until December 31st and you claim on March 15th, DVLA counts refundable months from April 1st onward — that's April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. Nine complete months means you get nine-twelfths of your annual tax rate back.
The refund is based on the standard rate for your vehicle type at the time you paid, not the current rate. If tax rates have risen since you paid, you still get back what you paid. If rates have fallen, you get back what you paid — you don't get a lower refund.
DVLA rounds the refund to the nearest pound. Very small refunds (less than £1) are not paid out.
Tracking your refund status
After you submit your claim, DVLA sends an acknowledgement letter or email within a few days confirming they've received it. This letter includes a reference number — keep it. If you don't hear anything within two weeks, contact DVLA on 0300 790 6802 to check the claim is on file.
You can't track the refund in real time online, but you can call DVLA with your reference number to ask whether it's been processed. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date they receive your claim, not from the date you posted it. If you claimed online, processing usually starts the same day. If you posted the form, add 3 to 5 days for postal delivery before the clock starts.
The refund is paid directly into the bank account you provided on the form. Check your bank statement 6 to 8 weeks after submitting your claim. If the money hasn't arrived by then, contact DVLA with your reference number.
What to do if your claim is rejected or delayed
DVLA may reject your claim if the vehicle is still registered as being on the road, if you haven't submitted a SORN, or if the documents you provided are unclear or incomplete. They'll write to you explaining why and what you need to do next. Usually this means submitting a SORN if you haven't already, or providing clearer proof of sale or scrapping.
If your claim is rejected, you can resubmit it with the missing information. There's no penalty for resubmitting — you're not losing your right to the refund. Send the new documents to the same address or resubmit online if you originally claimed that way.
If your refund is taking longer than 6 weeks, contact DVLA on 0300 790 6802 with your reference number. Delays sometimes happen if DVLA needs to verify information with the new owner (if you sold the vehicle) or with the scrappage facility. They'll tell you what's holding it up and when you can expect payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim a refund if I've only owned the car for a few weeks?
Yes. You can claim a refund for any unused months, even if you've only owned the vehicle briefly. You'll get back the tax for the complete months remaining, calculated from the first day of the month after your claim arrives at DVLA.
What if I sold the car but the new owner hasn't registered it yet?
You can still claim a refund. Include a copy of the sales receipt or bill of sale showing the buyer's name. DVLA doesn't need the new owner's permission. If the new owner later registers the vehicle, DVLA will sort out the tax records between you both.
Do I get a refund if the vehicle is stolen?
No. If your vehicle is stolen, you cannot claim a refund on the tax. You should report it to the police and your insurance company. The tax remains valid until the end of the period you paid for, in case the vehicle is recovered.
How long does it take if I claim online instead of by post?
Online claims are processed in the same 4 to 6 weeks as postal claims, but you avoid the 3 to 5 days of postal delivery time. The actual processing by DVLA is identical either way.
What if I claimed a refund but then want to use the car again before it's processed?
Contact DVLA immediately on 0300 790 6802 to cancel the refund claim. You'll need to pay tax again to drive the vehicle legally. If the refund has already been paid, you'll need to pay tax for the remaining months at the current rate.