Vehicle first registration fee :Cross Stitch – Motoring

Vehicles registered and taxed for the first time on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) records are required to pay a fee of £55.00. This extra payment is designed to cover the costs associated with registration of the vehicle throughout its life. Certain vehicles are exempt from payment.

The fee is applicable to all vehicles except for the following exemptions:

• those first registered and licensed in the disabled exempt taxation class
• historic vehicles previously registered with the old local authorities (late conversions)
• vehicles previously registered in Northern Ireland
• imported vehicles previously registered under the personal export scheme and new means of transport scheme
• visiting forces vehicles
• vehicles registered under the direct export scheme
• vehicles registered for off road use only
• crown exempt vehicles

You will be required to pay the fee in a single payment, along with the cost of the vehicle tax payable. This applies whether the vehicle is first registered and licensed at the DVLA local office or under the automated first registration and licensing (AFRL) system. If buying a brand new vehicle, the dealer will usually include this in the cost.

Registering vehicles, and keeping the register current when keepers move and vehicles change hands, is important in the fight against vehicle related and other crime. The fee ensures that more of the cost of this service is placed on those who call upon it.

HM Revenue and Customs advise that the first registration fee is outside the scope of paying VAT.