<\/p>\n
– Vehicles over forty years old qualify for \u2018Historic\u2019 registration status on a rolling basis<\/p>\n
– \u2018Historic\u2019 vehicles are exempt from paying DVLA road tax (VED)<\/p>\n
– So long as they haven\u2019t undergone \u2018substantial changes\u2019, \u2018Historic\u2019 vehicles are also exempt from MOT<\/p>\n
– Even though there\u2019s no classic car tax as such, you still need to tax your vehicle (there will be \u00a30.00 to pay)<\/p>\n
– Your vehicle must be maintained to a roadworthy standard, even if you opt out of MOT testing<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_5655-800x600.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nWhat Does Road Tax (VED) and MOT Exemption Actually Mean?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to note that you still need to tax your vehicle; you just don\u2019t pay anything. The process of taxing it is the same. This can be done online via the GOV<\/a> site.<\/p>\nYou will require a reference number from any of the following documents:<\/p>\n
– A recent vehicle tax reminder or \u2018last chance\u2019 warning letter from DVLA<\/p>\n
– Your vehicle log book (V5C) – it must be in your name<\/p>\n
– The green \u2018new keeper\u2019 slip from a log book if you\u2019ve just bought it<\/p>\n
It can be a tall order for some classics, especially the older ones, to pass a modern MOT test. That\u2019s why the rules state that vehicles registered as \u2018Historic\u2019 without \u2018substantial changes\u2019 are not required by law to undergo testing. This is totally up to the owner.<\/p>\n
MOT testing is a fundamentally good idea<\/a> to ensure your vehicle is in a safe, roadworthy condition. Car & Classic<\/a> also recommends MOT testing your car if you\u2019re trying to sell it, as this offers potential buyers an independent assessment of its current state. For those who do opt to MOT, ‘Historic’ vehicles do not have to undergo an emissions test; a visual smoke test will suffice.<\/p>\nIf you choose not to MOT, it\u2019s imperative to note that your vehicle still needs to be roadworthy. MOT exemption is not an excuse to drive a dangerous or faulty vehicle. You could be fined if you\u2019re stopped by the Police and this is found to be the case.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Which Vehicles Qualify for Road Tax and MOT Exemption?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
The rule works on a rolling basis: Vehicles that became tax-exempt in April 2025 had to have been built before January 1985. The same will apply in April 2026 for vehicles built before January 1986, and so on.<\/p>\n
You do not need to get an MOT if your vehicle was built or first registered more than forty years ago, and no \u2018substantial changes\u2019 have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years. According to the DVLA, \u2018substantial changes\u2019 include \u201creplacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works.\u201d It\u2019s up to you to report on this accurately.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
How Can You Check if a Vehicle is Already Registered as Historic?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
The first port of call is to check the V5C. On the inside fold, it should state \u2018Historic\u2019 under \u2018Tax Class\u2019. Note that this is only after the change has officially been made.<\/p>\n
The GOV.UK<\/a> system can appear misleading here. Regardless of whether your vehicle is MOT exempt or not, if you\u2019ve chosen not to MOT it, the MOT check page<\/a> will return a bright red banner stating \u201cThis vehicle’s MOT has expired. You can be fined up to \u00a31000 for driving without a valid MOT.\u201d<\/p>\nHowever, if you visit the page for checking DVLA road tax (VED)<\/a>, both the tax and MOT status should be highlighted in green, showing the date of the (\u00a30.00) tax renewal and the words \u201cNo results returned\u201d under MOT. This confirms that your vehicle is recorded as \u2018Historic\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nHow Do You Register a Vehicle as ‘Historic’<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
There isn\u2019t yet an online system for registering your vehicle as tax and MOT exempt. If you\u2019ve determined that it qualifies as \u2018Historic’ based upon the above criteria, you need to submit some paperwork to the DVLA via a Post Office.<\/p>\n
You can do this by presenting the following documents at a Post Office:<\/p>\n
– Current logbook (V5C) in your name<\/p>\n
– A vehicle tax reminder letter (V11), if you have one<\/p>\n
– Evidence of a current MOT (if your vehicle needs one): a current MOT certificate or online print-out<\/p>\n
– Evidence of MOT exemption form (V112):\u00a0 download here<\/a><\/p>\nThe Post Office attendant will take these documents from you and send them to the DVLA. Once your new V5C has been made, this will be returned to you by post. You must allow up to four weeks for this process and be sure to request a receipt to confirm that these documents have been posted.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_5656-800x600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
FAQs:<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
Can I continue MOT testing my vehicle?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nYes, just because your vehicle has been declared exempt from MOT, that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t continue to submit it for testing. MOT testing is a fundamentally good idea. It\u2019s invaluable to have a professional check your vehicle\u2019s safety on a yearly basis, so we would encourage you to continue MOT testing your vehicle if it\u2019s within your means. A voluntary MOT is also a great thing to have if you\u2019re looking to sell your ‘Historic’ vehicle.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve bought a vehicle that qualifies for exemption, but the previous owner has submitted it for MOT testing. Do I have to continue with MOTs?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nNo, you do not have to MOT test the vehicle, so long as it meets the criteria for \u2018Historic\u2019 registration status. However, you do need to check that the vehicle is correctly registered as \u2018Historic\u2019 on your V5C or on the DVLA road tax online lookup. If that is the case, you don\u2019t need to do anything after your MOT expires. When you taxed the vehicle for the first time, it should have been free if it was already registered correctly as \u2018Historic\u2019.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
My vehicle is over forty years old but has \u2018substantial changes\u2019. Can it be tax exempt, even if I continue to MOT test?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nNo, a vehicle is only considered DVLA \u2018Historic\u2019 vehicle tax exempt if it meets all criteria to be classed as \u2018Historic\u2019. You\u2019ll need to continue paying VED and submit your vehicle for annual MOT tests. This rule also automatically applies if your vehicle is registered with a ‘Q’ Plate<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to note that you still need to tax your vehicle; you just don\u2019t pay anything. The process of taxing it is the same. This can be done online via the GOV<\/a> site.<\/p>\n You will require a reference number from any of the following documents:<\/p>\n – A recent vehicle tax reminder or \u2018last chance\u2019 warning letter from DVLA<\/p>\n – Your vehicle log book (V5C) – it must be in your name<\/p>\n – The green \u2018new keeper\u2019 slip from a log book if you\u2019ve just bought it<\/p>\n It can be a tall order for some classics, especially the older ones, to pass a modern MOT test. That\u2019s why the rules state that vehicles registered as \u2018Historic\u2019 without \u2018substantial changes\u2019 are not required by law to undergo testing. This is totally up to the owner.<\/p>\n MOT testing is a fundamentally good idea<\/a> to ensure your vehicle is in a safe, roadworthy condition. Car & Classic<\/a> also recommends MOT testing your car if you\u2019re trying to sell it, as this offers potential buyers an independent assessment of its current state. For those who do opt to MOT, ‘Historic’ vehicles do not have to undergo an emissions test; a visual smoke test will suffice.<\/p>\n If you choose not to MOT, it\u2019s imperative to note that your vehicle still needs to be roadworthy. MOT exemption is not an excuse to drive a dangerous or faulty vehicle. You could be fined if you\u2019re stopped by the Police and this is found to be the case.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rule works on a rolling basis: Vehicles that became tax-exempt in April 2025 had to have been built before January 1985. The same will apply in April 2026 for vehicles built before January 1986, and so on.<\/p>\n You do not need to get an MOT if your vehicle was built or first registered more than forty years ago, and no \u2018substantial changes\u2019 have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years. According to the DVLA, \u2018substantial changes\u2019 include \u201creplacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works.\u201d It\u2019s up to you to report on this accurately.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first port of call is to check the V5C. On the inside fold, it should state \u2018Historic\u2019 under \u2018Tax Class\u2019. Note that this is only after the change has officially been made.<\/p>\n The GOV.UK<\/a> system can appear misleading here. Regardless of whether your vehicle is MOT exempt or not, if you\u2019ve chosen not to MOT it, the MOT check page<\/a> will return a bright red banner stating \u201cThis vehicle’s MOT has expired. You can be fined up to \u00a31000 for driving without a valid MOT.\u201d<\/p>\n However, if you visit the page for checking DVLA road tax (VED)<\/a>, both the tax and MOT status should be highlighted in green, showing the date of the (\u00a30.00) tax renewal and the words \u201cNo results returned\u201d under MOT. This confirms that your vehicle is recorded as \u2018Historic\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There isn\u2019t yet an online system for registering your vehicle as tax and MOT exempt. If you\u2019ve determined that it qualifies as \u2018Historic’ based upon the above criteria, you need to submit some paperwork to the DVLA via a Post Office.<\/p>\n You can do this by presenting the following documents at a Post Office:<\/p>\n – Current logbook (V5C) in your name<\/p>\n – A vehicle tax reminder letter (V11), if you have one<\/p>\n – Evidence of a current MOT (if your vehicle needs one): a current MOT certificate or online print-out<\/p>\n – Evidence of MOT exemption form (V112):\u00a0 download here<\/a><\/p>\n The Post Office attendant will take these documents from you and send them to the DVLA. Once your new V5C has been made, this will be returned to you by post. You must allow up to four weeks for this process and be sure to request a receipt to confirm that these documents have been posted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Can I continue MOT testing my vehicle?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Yes, just because your vehicle has been declared exempt from MOT, that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t continue to submit it for testing. MOT testing is a fundamentally good idea. It\u2019s invaluable to have a professional check your vehicle\u2019s safety on a yearly basis, so we would encourage you to continue MOT testing your vehicle if it\u2019s within your means. A voluntary MOT is also a great thing to have if you\u2019re looking to sell your ‘Historic’ vehicle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ve bought a vehicle that qualifies for exemption, but the previous owner has submitted it for MOT testing. Do I have to continue with MOTs?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n No, you do not have to MOT test the vehicle, so long as it meets the criteria for \u2018Historic\u2019 registration status. However, you do need to check that the vehicle is correctly registered as \u2018Historic\u2019 on your V5C or on the DVLA road tax online lookup. If that is the case, you don\u2019t need to do anything after your MOT expires. When you taxed the vehicle for the first time, it should have been free if it was already registered correctly as \u2018Historic\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My vehicle is over forty years old but has \u2018substantial changes\u2019. Can it be tax exempt, even if I continue to MOT test?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n No, a vehicle is only considered DVLA \u2018Historic\u2019 vehicle tax exempt if it meets all criteria to be classed as \u2018Historic\u2019. You\u2019ll need to continue paying VED and submit your vehicle for annual MOT tests. This rule also automatically applies if your vehicle is registered with a ‘Q’ Plate<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhich Vehicles Qualify for Road Tax and MOT Exemption?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
How Can You Check if a Vehicle is Already Registered as Historic?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
How Do You Register a Vehicle as ‘Historic’<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nFAQs:<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n