No, it is generally illegal to drive an untaxed car on public roads, even for a short trip home. The only potential exception is if you are driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test, and even then, the vehicle must be insured. Driving an untaxed vehicle exposes you to significant fines and having the car clamped or impounded.
The law requiring vehicle tax, officially known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), is strict. Your vehicle must be taxed if it is used or kept on a public road. The "Statutory Off Road Notification" (SORN) is the legal mechanism to declare a vehicle as off the road. If a car is untaxed and does not have a valid SORN, it cannot be on any public highway.
Enforcement is primarily automated through number plate recognition cameras. These systems constantly check license plates against the DVLA database. If your car is spotted without valid tax, you will be fined automatically. The financial and practical consequences can be severe.
| Penalty/Consequence | Description | Typical Cost/Impact |
|---|
| Out of Court Fine | An automatic fixed penalty notice sent by the DVLA. | £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days) |
| Late Licensing Penalty | Additional fee if you tax the vehicle after the fine. | £30 |
| Court Prosecution | If the case goes to court; potential for higher fines. | Up to £1,000 |
| Vehicle Clamping | The untaxed vehicle can be immobilized by a wheel clamp. | £160 release fee (if paid within 24 hours) |
| Vehicle Impounding | If clamped and not recovered quickly, it is towed. | £150 recovery fee + £21 daily storage fee |
The safest way to get an untaxed car home is to use a trailer or a professional recovery truck. This is completely legal as the car is not being driven under its own power. Alternatively, you can tax the vehicle online using your phone immediately after purchase, before you drive away. You'll need the V5C logbook (with the 12-digit reference number) or the green "new keeper" slip from the logbook to do this.
