You can tax a new or imported vehicle for the first time by post, in person or online.
Step 1: Complete the Application Form RF100
Application Form RF100 certifies that you own a vehicle. You can get the form RF100 from the following sources:
- If you bought the vehicle from a garage: From the garage that sold you the vehicle.
- If you bought the vehicle privately: On the sale of the vehicle to a new owner (other than to a motor dealer) the registered owner selling the vehicle must forward the form RF100 and details in writing of the name /address of the new owner and date of transfer of ownership to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Shannon, Co. Clare
- If you imported the vehicle: From the National Car Testing Service at www.nct.ie
Step 2: Get the vehicle’s insurance details
You need the following insurance details to get your vehicle taxed:
- Name of your insurer
- Your policy number
- The insurance expiry date
If your vehicle is not insured, you must first get it insured before applying for motor tax.
Step 3: Get additional vehicle details
We require more information about some vehicles in order to tax them.
Goods vehicle
Weight Dockets - On the first time taxing of a goods vehicle you may be required to produce a weight docket.
Goods Only Declaration - You must complete this Declaration at a Garda Station if you are taxing the vehicle at the goods rate and the design gross vehicle weight of the vehicle does not exceed 3,500 kg. This applies to taxing a goods vehicle for the first time, on change of ownership or change of taxation class to goods.
You need to send us a Certificate of Roadworthiness if your vehicle is 1 year old or more. To get a Certificate of Roadworthiness, follow these steps:
- Have your vehicle tested by an authorised goods vehicle tester. View a list of authorised goods vehicle testers.
- If the vehicle passes the test, get a Pass Statement from the tester.
- Submit the Pass Statement to us, along with the appropriate fee, as follows:
- €13.00 for a vehicle whose Design Gross Vehicle Weight is over 3500kgs (Heavy Goods Vehicle).
- €6.00 for a vehicle whose Design Gross Vehicle Weight is less than 3500kgs (Light Goods Vehicle).
- We will then send you a Certificate of Roadworthiness.
- Send the certificate back to us with your Motor Tax application.
Taxis and Hackneys
You need to send us your current Public Service Vehicle (Plate) Licence, as issued by Dublin City Council.
Large Public Service Vehicles
You need to send us your current Large Public Service Vehicle (Plate) Licence, as issued by Dublin City Council.
You need to send us a Certificate of Roadworthiness if your vehicle is 1 year old or more (from the date it was first registered).
To get a Certificate of Roadworthiness, follow the steps explained for Goods Vehicles above.
Motor Caravans
Regulations for roadworthiness testing of Motor Caravans as and from 1st March 2012.
All Motor Caravans must be inspected on 1st taxing unless the Vehicle Registration Certificate specifically states 'Motor Caravan' in the body type (D.3 on VRC).
All Motor Caravans must be inspected on change of ownership, and the new owner must submit a Motor Caravan Declaration on 1st application for tax.
The following changes have been implemented –
It is mandatory for Motor Caravans that are 4 years old and over to be tested for roadworthiness. A Motor Caravan would be due to be tested for first time on the fourth anniversary of registration, then every 2 years until 10 years old, then every year there after.
- A 2 year certificate will issue for vehicles between 4 and 10 years old
- A 1 year certificate will issue for vehicles greater than 10 years old
- A Motor Caravan with a Design Gross Vehicle weight of 3,500kgs or less will be issued a Light Goods CRW (certificate of road worthiness) for a fee of €6
- A Motor Caravan with a Design Gross Vehicle weight of 3,501kgs or more will be issued a Heavy Goods CRW (certificate of road worthiness) for a fee of €6
- A CRW (certificate of road worthiness) will not be required for any Motor Caravans registered before 1st January 1980
N.B If a Motor Caravan is over 4 years old it will only be issued a PIN for taxing Online if it has a valid CRW. Motor Caravans under 4 years old will be issued a PIN automatically as a CRW is not required.
To get a Certificate of Roadworthiness, follow the steps explained for Goods Vehicles above.
Youth and Community Buses
You need to send us a completed Youth & Community Bus Declaration Form when taxing for the first time.
This form can be obtained at your local Garda Station. It must also be witnessed at the Garda Station.
You also need to send us a Certificate of Roadworthiness if your vehicle is 1 year old or more(from the date it was first registered).
To get a Certificate of Roadworthiness, follow the steps explained for Goods Vehicles above.
School Buses
We need you current Article 60 Licence as issued by the Carriage Office or a letter from CIE indicating the existence of a school transport contract between CIE and the applicant..
You also need to send us a Certificate of Roadworthiness if your vehicle is 1 year old or more(from the date it was first registered).
To get a Certificate of Roadworthiness, follow the steps explained for Goods Vehicles above.
Step 4: Submit your application and Motor Tax fee
Post your application to Motor Tax Head Office (Blackhall Walk) or call in person to any of the Motor Tax offices listed below.
Please remember to enclose the following:
- All the supporting documentation explained above.
- The appropriate Motor Tax charge for your vehicle. See a list of all motor tax charges. Make a cheque or money order payable to ‘Motor Tax Office’. (Please do not post cash and all cheques should me made payable to Dublin City Council)
Applications by post
If you send your application by post, you do not need to buy a stamp. Just mark the envelope “Freepost”.