Nearly two million motors on British roads qualify for free road tax through a DVLA programme. Based on The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs' (FBHVC) 2025 National Historic Vehicle Survey (NHVS), there were 1,934,178 historic vehicles registered with the DVLA last year.

The statistics encompassed cars, motorbikes, lorries and buses. The survey revealed that the UK housed an estimated 690,777 historic vehicle owners and more than 22.7 million adults considered historic vehicles as a crucial element of Britain's heritage.

It also discovered that 9.7 million people expressed they would fancy owning one and 4.3 million visited a historic vehicle event in the previous year – a 100% rise since 2020. Under DVLA regulations, a motor that is more than 40 years old qualifies for free road tax.

How to pay zero DVLA road tax

A motor becomes eligible in the April of the year in which it reaches 40 years old. For instance, if a classic Ford Escort or BMW 3 Series was manufactured before January 1, 1985, it became eligible for complimentary road tax from April 1, 2025.

The same will apply in 2026 and so forth. The DVLA also clarifies that if you're unsure when your vehicle was manufactured, but it was first registered before January 8 of the year in question 40 years ago, you can still apply to cease paying vehicle tax.

This means most proprietors of cars and other vehicles older than 40 years can apply. Your vehicle will not be exempt from vehicle tax if it's used for hire or reward - for example, it's used as a taxi for paying customers - or if it's used commercially for a trade or business.

How to apply for free DVLA road tax

The crucial point to remember is that the rule doesn't simply mean that you can cease taxing your car or motorbike. It is essential to understand that drivers still need to apply for road tax, even if they're not paying anything for it.

If you're doing it for the first time, there are some steps to take to apply for the exemption. This involves visiting a Post Office that handles vehicle tax.

You need to bring the log book (V5C) in your name, your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11), if you have one, evidence of a current MOT (if your vehicle needs one) - for example, a copy of your vehicle's MOT history or your MOT certificate, if you have one, and evidence if your vehicle's exempt from an MOT (V112).

If you do not have the log book, download and complete an application for a log book (V62). Bring it to the Post Office with the £25 fee.

People in Northern Ireland must provide a valid MOT certificate that covers the period when the tax begins, along with an insurance certificate or cover note. The Post Office will forward the vehicle's log book to the DVLA, which will subsequently issue an updated log book.

Any refund owed will also be dispatched within six weeks. Motorists can continue using their vehicle whilst the application is being processed.

After applying for the exemption, the DVLA will send a vehicle tax reminder letter in subsequent years before the tax expires. Motorists will need to tax their vehicle, but no payment will be required.

The DVLA emphasises that driving an untaxed vehicle is illegal. Motorists face an £80 fine if they fail to tax their vehicle on time.

Following the publication of the 2025 survey, David Whale, chairman of the FBHVC, said: "This report underlines just how vital the historic vehicle sector is to Britain's economy, culture and communities. It's worth a record 7.3 billion pounds a year, supports 34,500 skilled jobs, and unites millions of people through a shared love of our motoring heritage.

"But we cannot take that success for granted. The average owner is now in their sixties, and we urgently need to inspire and train the next generation. Programmes like our new Youngtimer initiative and industry apprenticeships are key to ensuring these vehicles – and the skills to maintain them – survive for the future."