How to exchange a tax disc

You’ll need to exchange your tax disc if you make any changes to your vehicle’s construction or use that will change the tax class or the amount of vehicle tax you pay.

When to exchange

Exchange your tax disc if you change the:

tax class (this does not apply for tax classes where no vehicle tax is payable)
engine size (cylinder capacity)
type of fuel used
weight of a goods vehicle
number of seats on a bus
the use of a vehicle you have just bought

If the fuel type or engine size has changed

For changes to the fuel type or engine size (cylinder capacity), which needs a lower rate of vehicle tax to be paid, you must provide documentary evidence of the change. This can be the receipt for the new engine, written evidence from the manufacturer, insurance company or the garage that carried out the change.

How to exchange your tax disc

Exchange your tax disc in person at your nearest Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) local office, or by post to:

DVA
Coleraine
BT51 3TA

For private or light goods vehicles

Take or send:

form V17(NI) 'Exchange of Vehicle Licence Application'
current tax disc
Registration Certificate with any changes marked on it
completed V34(NI) 'Application for a Vehicle Registration Certificate' V5C(NI) if the Registration Certificate is not available
valid insurance certificate
valid MOT test certificate if needed
extra payment for vehicle tax if needed (see 'extra payment of vehicle tax' below)
written evidence of changes for a decrease in engine size or change of fuel

For larger vehicles and buses

Take or send:

form V17(NI) 'Exchange of Vehicle Licence Application'
current tax disc
Registration Certificate with any changes marked on it
valid insurance certificate
valid test certificate - if needed
plating certificate - if needed
a weight certificate - if needed
a certificate of initial fitness or certificate of conformity for the bus taxation class only - if needed
a reduced pollution certificate - if needed
extra payment for vehicle tax if needed (see 'Extra payment of vehicle tax' below)
written evidence of changes for a decrease in engine size or change of fuel
Find your nearest DVA local office

Extra payment of vehicle tax

To calculate the extra vehicle tax:

check out the new rate of vehicle tax
work out the difference between the old and new rates of your current tax disc (eg: £100 old rate less £130 new rate is £30)
divide this by the period of your current tax disc (eg: £30 divided by 12 months is £2.50)
multiply this by the number of months left to run on the tax disc (eg: £2.50 multiplied by four months left to run is £10)
the extra tax payable is £10
Check the rates of vehicle tax

Application form V17(NI) is available from any DVA local office or from DVA, Coleraine BT51 3TA.