Where Is the 16 Digit Reference Number on V11? Find Your Tax Reminder Code
Where is the 16 digit reference number on V11? Find it at the top of your vehicle tax reminder letter. Here is how to locate it and what to do if you have lost your V11.
The 16 digit reference number on a V11 form is used to tax your vehicle online or by phone. You can find it at the top of your vehicle tax reminder letter. The V11 is the reminder letter sent by the DVLA to notify you that your car tax is due for renewal.
If you have lost your V11 reminder letter, you can still tax your vehicle. The DVLA now offers a digital service that allows you to tax your vehicle without a V5C or V11.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the 16 digit reference number on a V11. It covers where to find it, what it is used for, and what to do if you cannot find your V11.
The 16 digit reference number on a V11 is located at the top of your vehicle tax reminder letter. You need it to tax your vehicle online or by phone. If you lose your V11, you can tax using your V5C logbook or the new DVLA digital service.
What Is a V11 Reminder
A V11 reminder is a document sent by the DVLA to notify you that your vehicle tax is due for renewal. The DVLA sends it to the registered keeper of the vehicle. Drivers paying by Direct Debit may receive different renewal communications and do not always receive a standard V11 reminder.
The V11 reminder has three sections. The top section is pre-filled with the registered keeper's name and address, vehicle registration number, and road tax expiry date.
The middle section asks you to specify why you are using the form. You can pay your road tax, SORN your vehicle, or tell the DVLA that you have sold your car.
The final section explains how you can tax your car by phone, online, or in person at a Post Office.
Our does car tax automatically renew guide explains Direct Debit renewal rules, and our registered keeper guide covers keeper responsibilities.
A V11 reminder is sent by the DVLA to notify you that vehicle tax is due. It contains the 16 digit reference number needed to tax online or by phone. Direct Debit users may receive different communications.
Where Is the 16 Digit Reference Number on V11
The 16 digit reference number on a V11 is located at the top of the document. It is clearly printed and can be used to tax your vehicle online or by phone.
You can tax your vehicle online using the 16 digit reference number on your vehicle tax renewal letter (V11).
You can also tax your vehicle using other reference numbers:
- 11 digit reference number on your V5C logbook
- 12 digit reference number on your new keeper supplement (V5C/2) if you have just bought the vehicle
The 11 digit reference number on the V5C appears in multiple places, including the front cover and inside front cover. This makes it easy to find even if the logbook is partially damaged.
If your vehicle is quite old, it may have a reference number of fewer than 12 digits. In this case, you should contact the DVLA directly.
Our automobile transfer of ownership guide explains the V5C document, and our car tax issuing post offices guide covers in-person renewal.
The 16 digit reference number on a V11 is found at the top of the document. You can also use an 11 digit number from your V5C or a 12 digit number from the green new keeper slip. If you have an older vehicle with fewer digits, contact the DVLA.
Quick Summary: V11 Reference Numbers
| Document | Reference Number | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| V11 reminder letter | 16 digits | At the top of the letter |
| V5C logbook | 11 digits | Front cover, inside front cover, and other sections |
| V5C/2 green new keeper slip | 12 digits | On the green slip given when buying a vehicle |
These reference numbers are used to tax your vehicle online, by phone, or at a Post Office.
Our MOT due date guide helps you track MOT expiry, and our when did tax discs stop guide covers vehicle tax history.
Quick summary: Use the 16 digit V11 number, 11 digit V5C number, or 12 digit green slip number to tax your vehicle. The V11 number is at the top of the reminder letter.
What Is the 16 Digit Reference Number Used For
The 16 digit reference number on a V11 is used to tax your vehicle. You need it for online and phone renewals.
You can tax your vehicle online at www.gov.uk/tax-disc using one of the following:
- 16 digit reference number on your V11 reminder letter
- 11 digit reference number on your V5C logbook
- 12 digit reference number on your new keeper supplement (V5C/2)
By phone, you call the DVLA using the number provided on your V11 form. You need the 16 digit reference number. The phone service is automated and available 24/7.
At the Post Office, you need your V11 reminder or V5C logbook. The reference numbers are used to find your vehicle records.
If you receive a last chance warning letter from the DVLA, this also includes a reference number that you can use to tax your vehicle.
Our does car tax automatically renew guide explains payment options.
The 16 digit reference number is used for online and phone vehicle tax renewals. You can also use the 11 digit V5C number or the 12 digit green slip number.
Can You Tax a Vehicle Without a V11
You can tax your vehicle without a V11 reminder letter. You can use your V5C logbook or the green new keeper slip.
The DVLA has also launched a new online service that allows you to tax your vehicle even if you have lost your V5C and V11.
The DVLA has connected its online registration and licensing systems. This means you can now tax your vehicle even if you do not have your V5C logbook or V11 reminder letter.
The process works as follows:
- Visit the DVLA online service
- Enter your vehicle details
- Confirm the keeper details have not changed
- Pay your vehicle tax instantly
- A replacement V5C is posted to you automatically
Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive, said: "We are always looking for ways to improve our digital services to provide more convenience for motorists. This latest enhancement will enable customers who have misplaced or lost their V5C to get a replacement and tax their vehicle quickly and easily."
If you have a reference number of fewer than 12 digits for an older vehicle, you should contact the DVLA directly.
Our car tax issuing post offices guide explains in-person renewal options.
You can tax without a V11 by using your V5C logbook or green new keeper slip. The DVLA new online service allows taxing without any documents if you are the registered keeper and your details have not changed.
What If You Cannot Find Your V11
If you cannot find your V11 reminder letter, you have several options. The easiest is to use your V5C logbook.
If you do not have a V11 form, you can renew your road tax with your V5C logbook using the 11-digit reference number.
If you have just bought the car, use the green new keeper slip (V5C/2). This contains a 12-digit reference number.
If you have lost both your V5C and V11, use the new DVLA online service. You can apply for a replacement V5C and tax your vehicle at the same time.
You can also tax your vehicle at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax. You need to bring your MOT and insurance details. The Post Office will check your details electronically.
Our automobile transfer of ownership guide covers V5C replacement, and our car tax issuing post offices guide explains Post Office services.
If you cannot find your V11, use your V5C logbook or green new keeper slip. If both are lost, the DVLA online service allows you to apply for a replacement and tax at the same time.
Car Tax Reminders: How They Work
Car tax reminders are sent by the DVLA to the registered keeper of the vehicle. The V11 reminder letter is the main reminder you will receive if you are not paying by Direct Debit.
DVLA offers a driver and vehicles account where you can manage your vehicle details and choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email.
Through your driver and vehicles account, you can:
- View your driving record
- Check penalty points or disqualifications
- Add and view details of your vehicles
- Check when the MOT expires
- Manage your vehicle tax reminders
You cannot set up vehicle tax reminders if you pay by Direct Debit.
If you pay by Direct Debit, you may not receive a standard V11 reminder. The DVLA sends different renewal communications for Direct Debit users.
Our does car tax automatically renew guide explains renewal options.
V11 reminders are sent to the registered keeper. If you pay by Direct Debit, you may not receive a V11. The DVLA offers a driver and vehicles account where you can set up digital tax reminders by text or email.
Final Thoughts
The 16 digit reference number on a V11 is located at the top of your vehicle tax reminder letter. You need this number to tax your vehicle online or by phone.
If you have lost your V11 reminder, you can still tax your vehicle. Use your V5C logbook with its 11-digit reference number, or the green new keeper slip with its 12-digit number. If your vehicle is quite old, it may have a reference number of fewer than 12 digits, in which case you should contact the DVLA directly.
The DVLA now offers a new online service that allows you to tax your vehicle even if you have lost both your V5C and V11. You can apply for a replacement logbook and tax your vehicle at the same time.
You can also set up a driver and vehicles account to manage your vehicle details and receive tax reminders by text or email. This account lets you view your driving record, check penalty points, add vehicles, and check MOT expiry dates.
All information in this guide is based on official DVLA and GOV.UK sources. Readers should verify current procedures directly with the DVLA before making decisions.
Written by
Daniel Reed
Daniel Reed writes about PAYE, payslips, tax codes, workplace deductions and take-home pay in the UK.
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