Living in the UK

4. TRANSPORT

4.4. Owning and maintaining a car/vehicle

MOT Test 


  • The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.


  • If your car is more than 3 years old, it must have an MOT test every year. This is a test to make sure that the car is working safely.


  • This can be done in a garage (with a special blue MOT sign outside).The maximum fee for a car is £54.85 and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle.


  • If there is a problem with the car, the garage will charge you more money to fix it. Check with the garage how much this will cost.


  • You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT and your insurance will be invalid should you need to claim.

Click here: Get and check MOT


Vehicle Insurance


  • You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads.


  • Third party insurance is the legal minimum. 


  • You may want to use an  Insurance broker. This website has information about different kinds of insurance and a list of the big insurance companies.


Tax your vehicle


  • 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.


Tax your car, motorcycle or other vehicle using a reference number from:

  • a recent reminder (V11) or ‘last chance’ warning letter from DVLA.


  • your vehicle log book (V5C) - it must be in your name.


  • the green ‘new keeper’ slip from a log book if you’ve just bought it.


You can apply online:  Vehicle Tax


Or 


       Call 0300 123 4321  (24-hour service)