General Motor Tax Information

What services are available at a motor tax office?

The services available at a motor tax office include:

• Issue motor tax discs
• Processing of driving licences
• Issue of certificates of roadworthiness for commercial vehicles/trailers
• Processing of duplicate driving licences, registration books, vehicle registration certificates, tax discs and certificates of roadworthiness 
• Issue of trade plates to motor traders
• Process first licensing of goods trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight equal to or greater than 3,500 kgs
• Appoint garages as authorised testers for commercial vehicles
• Appoint authorised weighbridges
• Vehicle ownership changes for vehicles registered before 1st January, 1993. Motor Tax Offices also complete ownership changes for vehicles registered on or after 1st January, 1993 where the new owner wishes to tax the vehicle
• Ownership changes for vehicles registered on or after 1st January, 1993 are dealt with by the Vehicle Registration Unit, Shannon Town Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare.(Phone: 061-365000 or Lo-Call 1890-411412).
  Email: motortax@environ.ie

When must I pay motor tax?

Liability for motor tax arises when a vehicle is used in a public place/road. Motor tax discs are issued for periods of 3, 6, or 12 whole calendar months and are not issued in respect of months already elapsed. Vehicles with an annual tax of €114 or less can only be taxed for a 12-month period. As discs are issued for whole calendar months, the preferred option on first taxing is to register or first use the vehicle early in a month. Vehicle owners who first tax a recently registered vehicle after 28th May 2004 will be issued with a new Vehicle Registration Certificate by the Vehicle Registration Unit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It should be noted that there is a surcharge for non-annual discs and motor tax should be paid when due, as monthly arrears are charged at one tenth of the annual rate.