Vehicle licence

A valid vehicle licence is required by law in some countries to be displayed on any registered motor vehicle if it is to be used or kept on a public road.

Worldwide

In some countries, like Sweden or Norway, the owner will annually get a sticker to place on the registration plate, if the vehicle is permitted for driving. In the United States and Canada, an annual or biennial sticker is usually applied to the license plate, with a few exceptions. For example, Australia, the District of Columbia and a few U.S. states use windshield stickers, and some U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions issue permanent fleet license plates. Also, some U.S. states, such as Virginia, require that a motorist obtain a vehicle license from the city, county, or town government in addition to registering the vehicle with the appropriate agency of the state government.

United Kingdom

In the UK, the vehicle licence, which is also commonly known as a tax disc, comes in the form of a paper disc 7½ cm in diameter to be displayed on the vehicle, and is evidence that the necessary vehicle excise duty has been paid for the specific vehicle. It should be placed on the left side of the windscreen if it is a four wheeled vehicle, but if it is a two wheeled vehicle then it should be placed in a holder fixed onto the bodywork.

The vehicle excise duty was introduced in 1920.

Ireland

In Ireland, a tax disc must also be displayed, which is of the same format as that in the UK. However, in addition, a square insurance 'disc' must also be displayed to show that the vehicle has the legally required third party insurance. Vehicles over 4 years old require a similar format 'disc' from the National Car Test service to show roadworthiness.

See also

• Velology – the collection of tax discs.

References

• The vehicle licence explained UK government webpage

External links

• How to license your vehicle from Directgov, UK government website
• Buy a tax disc online from Directgov, UK government website