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Vehicles Exempt from Road Tax

This section lists the types of vehicles exempt from road tax in the United Kingdom. It includes historic vehicles made before 1977 and those used by disabled people.

ROAD TAX EXCLUSIONS: Vehicle tax is exempt on certain types of cars and automobiles. That means you do not have to pay it.

But, you still have to apply for road tax even if your vehicle has an exemption.

Note: There is also a page on vehicle tax exemption available in Welsh language (Cymraeg).

Vehicles used by Disabled People

As a disabled person, the time to claim the disability exemption is when you apply for the vehicle tax. Check the qualifying criteria for vehicle tax exemption and how to claim it.

In some cases, you may need to change the tax class and remove an exemption from a vehicle. This situation could apply if a disabled person no longer uses it.

Disabled Passenger Vehicles

Some organisations used vehicles with adaptations to provide transport for disabled people. As a rule, these types of vehicles are exempt from road tax. But, the exclusion does not apply to ambulances.

Invalid Carriages and Mobility Scooters

There are limits to exempt invalid scooters, powered wheel chairs, and mobility scooters. To get an exemption, they must have a maximum speed of 8mph when used on the road. They should also have a device fitted that limits them to 4mph if used on footways to be road tax exempt.

Historic Vehicles

To be vehicle tax exempt, historic vehicles are those made before the 1st of January 1977. Their qualification for exemption took place from the 1st of April 2017.

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles do not get an automatic road tax exclusion. As a rule, the supply of electricity must come from an external source. It can also come from an electric storage battery if it is not connected to any source of power while moving.

Mowing Machines

Road tax exemptions do not apply to all types of mowers and grass cutters. To qualify, the mower must have a design, a construction, and usage 'only' for grass cutting. The immunity does not apply to tractors which get used to tow gang mowers.

Steam Vehicles

There is no requirement to pay vehicle tax on any kind of steam-powered vehicle.

Agricultural and Horticultural Vehicles

The list includes agricultural engines and tractors used in agriculture and forestry. Most light agricultural vehicles used off-road also qualify. It can also includes some 'limited use' vehicles used for short journeys.

In general, the journey should not be more than 1.5 kilometres. It should only be on the public road between land occupied by the same person.

Vehicles Exempt from Road Tax in the United Kingdom
Last Updated 2018