The end of paper tax discs for cars, which were first introduced in 1921, is nigh. From 1 October 2014, the requirement to display a motor disc on a vehicle windscreen will be removed. In future, cars will be checked against the DVLA’s electronic register and we will see an increased use in number plate recognition cameras that track cars in use against tax and insurance databases.

Of course, drivers will still be required to pay the vehicle tax owing and a renewal reminder will continue to be sent when payment is due. The DVLA will also offer drivers new ways to pay the vehicle tax with the introduction of a direct debit option. This option will be available for drivers who need to tax their vehicle from 1 November 2014 with the choice to pay monthly, bi-annually and annually.

Provided an MOT remains valid, the payments will continue automatically until either the DVLA is informed to stop taking payment or the direct debit is cancelled. The direct debit will be cancelled and payments automatically stopped when the DVLA is notified that you no longer have the vehicle, or the vehicle has been taken off the road and a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) has been made.

A new service (currently in beta) has also been launched on www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax to check the tax status of any vehicle online.