What do I put in V55/5 box 3 period of tax?
Reviewed 2026-07-10
Short answer
Put whether you want 6 months or 12 months of vehicle tax, then make sure the payment and tax start date match that choice.
Official position
The V355/5 guidance says box 3 is where you fill in whether you want to tax the vehicle for 6 months or 12 months. The V55/5 is both a first-registration and first-tax application, so inconsistent tax period, tax class, start date or payment details can delay the pack.
What to do
Choose either 6 months or 12 months where the vehicle tax class allows it.
Check the payable amount using the tax class and vehicle details before sending payment.
Make box 3 align with box 30, the date from which tax is to run.
If the vehicle is tax-exempt, still complete the tax class and tax application correctly rather than ignoring the tax boxes.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a tax period but sending the wrong payment amount.
- Leaving box 3 blank because the vehicle is still waiting for DVLA registration.
- Using the import date or foreign registration date as the tax period.
Related help
Official sources
Use the relevant tool
Road tax calculator
Apply this answer to your vehicle, then carry the result into your free registration route.