The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a critical alert to drivers across Britain. The Government body, which manages over 52 million driver records, is urging motorists to ensure they make an essential payment.

Posting to X, formerly Twitter, it said: “Remember to pay your vehicle tax before it runs out. Do it online at: http://gov.uk/dvla/tax.” It then added: “Tax on time. Tax online.”

The amount of vehicle tax you owe primarily depends on factors such as engine size, fuel type, and CO2 emissions, all based on the date your vehicle was first registered. According to the RAC, most drivers are expected to pay around £195 in car tax this year, although this can vary from person to person.

“Cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017 are taxed against one of three VED bands – zero, standard or premium,” RAC guidance states. “For cars registered between 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017, the rates are split into different CO2 bands – the lower the tailpipe emissions, the lower the vehicle tax.

“In order to tax a vehicle, suitable car insurance cover must be in place, while the vehicle must also have a valid MOT if it is over three years old (four years in Northern Ireland). Both are checked electronically when you apply for car tax.”

You can find out more about the car tax you might owe at GOV.UK. Typically, you’ll need a reference number from your vehicle log book (V5C, which must be registered in your name) or the green ‘new keeper’ slip if you’ve recently purchased the vehicle.

If you don’t have these documents, you’ll need to apply for a new logbook. You can also tax your vehicle during this process. A recent vehicle tax reminder or ‘last chance’ warning letter from DVLA might include the reference number as well.

For assistance, motorists can contact the DVLA by phone at 0300 123 4321 through its 24-hour service or visit a local Post Office that handles vehicle tax. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to receive automatic reminders, you can create a Driver and Vehicles account on GOV.UK and arrange for emails or texts.

Besides this, the DVLA also recently reminded drivers aged 70 and over to ensure their driving licences are up to date. The agency typically sends reminders ahead of a person’s 70th birthday and subsequently each time a permit needs renewing.

Current regulations state that elderly drivers don’t need to retake their driving test at 70, but they must complete a health declaration before receiving their new licence.

Those with medical conditions or disabilities may then require an assessment of their driving capabilities. For licence renewal applications, people over 70 generally need to provide these details:

• A valid UK passport number (if you want to change the licence photo)
• An email address
• Addresses of where you’ve lived for the last three years
• National Insurance number (if you know it)

For more information, head to GOV.UK.