Free way you can avoid £80 DVLA driving fine – and it takes just 5 minutes to sort

SOMETIMES it's tough to keep on top of all your outgoings, especially annual ones.

To make life easier the DVLA has a free reminder service that will stop you from landing a fine.

It takes just five minutes for motorists to sign up to a Driver and Vehicles account that will let you know when it's time to pay your road tax.

Users who pay tax every six to 12 months will get sent vehicle tax reminders by email and text.

If you forget to pay your road tax, you could be issued an £80 fine.

On the service, you can also check your driving record and be told which vehicles you can drive.

You can also check your penalty points or disqualifications.

Other options include renewing photocard driving licence as well as creating a licence 'check code' which allows you to share your driving record with someone.

To be eligible to use the service, you must have one of the following:

• A driving licence issued in England, Scotland or Wales
• A vehicle log book (V5C) in your name.

According to the government website, you can't set up vehicle tax reminders if you pay by direct debit.

This comes after the DVLA has rolled out new road tax changes for 2025.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates are shifting for nearly all petrol and diesel vehicle owners.

The DVLA is set to slap millions of motorists with tax increases worth hundreds.

The fee hike comes in line with overall vehicle emissions, meaning those emitting more pollution will face higher charges.

There are three systems of road tax - depending on when your vehicle was registered.

Drivers for models registered between 2001 and 2017 will bear the burnt based on their emitting models - with fees jumping by £40 compared to last year.

Cars registered after April 2017 will face a £10 increase from £190 in their first-year payments at the lowest emissions range.