What is motor tax and how to pay it?

Motor tax is a charge you pay to legally use your vehicle on public roads in Ireland. It applies to most types of vehicles and is a key part of the cost of owning a car. 

The tax is collected by the Department of Transport and passed on to local authorities. That money is then used to help maintain and improve the roads - including resurfacing, fixing potholes, upgrading signage, and improving lighting and safety measures. 

If your car is parked up and not being used, you still need to pay motor tax — unless you’ve made an official ‘off the road’ declaration through the proper channels. 

So whether you drive every day or only occasionally, motor tax is something every car owner needs to stay on top of.

Yes — absolutely. If you’re using your car, it legally must be taxed in Ireland. There are no exceptions for short journeys or occasional use. 

Motor tax is a legal requirement, and driving without it can lead to penalties. Even if your car is simply parked on a public road without a valid motor tax disc displayed, you could be fined. 

The Gardaí can issue fines or even impound vehicles that aren’t properly taxed.  

Staying on top of your motor tax is part of being a responsible driver.

Before July 2008, motor tax was based on engine size. 

After that date, it switched to CO₂ emissions for private cars. This means: 

• cars registered before July 2008 are taxed based on engine size 
• cars registered after are taxed based on how much CO₂ they emit 

The idea is to reward drivers who chose cleaner, more eco-friendly vehicles, therefore tax decreases for electric and hybrid vehicles.

There are a few exceptions, but you’ll need to apply for them. These include: 

• cars adapted for disabled drivers or passengers 
• vehicles used by the state 
• vintage vehicles (over 30 years old) 
• certain agricultural vehicles 
• fire engines 

If you think your car might be exempt, check the rules before assuming you’re in the clear.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. How much you pay depends on a few factors: 

• when your car was first registered 
• engine size or CO₂ emissions 
• whether it’s petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid 
• if it’s for private or commercial use 

It’s fast, easy and takes just a few minutes. 

• Go to www.motortax.ie 
• Enter your reg number and PIN 
• Pay securely with a card 
• Your tax disc will be posted out to you

Prefer doing things face to face? That’s fine too. 

• Bring your paperwork: renewal form, insurance cert and any extras. 
• Pay by card or cheque (cash isn’t accepted everywhere). 
• Get your disc on the spot or shortly after. 

You can find your nearest office on gov.ie

Before you start, make sure you’ve got: 

• your vehicle reg number 
• your insurance certificate 
• NCT cert (if your car needs one) 
• your PIN (it’s on the renewal form you get in the post) 
• a card for payment if you’re doing it online

You can tax your car for: 

• 3 months 
• 6 months 
• or 12 months 

Whichever you pick, set a reminder in your calendar or phone. Driving with expired tax could land you a fine — and that increases over time if it’s not paid.

Not using your car for a while? Maybe you’re away, or it’s getting repairs? 

You still need to officially declare it off the road. This is called a SORD — Statutory Off Road Declaration. 

The key thing is: 

You must file the SORD before your tax expires. If you're late, you’ll still be liable for tax until the declaration is made.