How to tax your food truck vehicle

You must tax your food truck vehicle with the DVLA before it touches a public road. This is a legal requirement that applies to all motor vehicles in the UK. You can complete the process in minutes on the GOV.UK website using the reference number from your vehicle's log book (V5C) or the green 'new keeper' supplement if you have recently purchased the truck.

What you need before you start

Before you can successfully tax your vehicle, the DVLA systems will automatically check that you have certain requirements in place. You cannot bypass these checks:

• A valid MOT: The vehicle must have a current MOT certificate on record.
• Valid Insurance: The vehicle must be insured before the tax can be processed.

Steps to tax your vehicle

1. Locate your V5C log book. You will need the 11-digit reference number from this document.
2. Visit the official GOV.UK "Tax your vehicle" service online.
3. Enter your vehicle registration number and the reference number from your V5C.
4. Select your payment frequency. You can pay for 6 or 12 months upfront, or set up a monthly Direct Debit.
5. Confirm your details and complete the payment. You will receive a confirmation email immediately.

Tip: Setting up a Direct Debit is the best way to ensure you never forget to renew. The DVLA will automatically take the payment and renew the tax every year until you tell them otherwise.

If you have just bought the truck and do not have the full V5C yet, use the 12-digit reference number found on the green 'new keeper' slip (V5C/2) provided by the seller. It is important to note that vehicle tax is no longer transferable between owners; you must tax it yourself before driving it away.