New or Imported Used Private Vehicles

For motor taxation purposes:

• a new vehicle is one that has recently been registered in Ireland, but has never been previously registered in any other country, and,
• an imported used vehicle is one that has recently been registered in Ireland, but was previously registered in one, or more, other countries.

To tax either type of vehicle for the first time, you need:

1. A fully-completed and signed RF100 form. If you purchased the vehicle from a garage/motor dealer, they should provide you with one already pre-printed with your details. If you register the vehicle yourself, the Revenue Commissioners will provide you with one, also pre-printed with your details. If, for some reason, you didn't receive one (from whichever of the above applies), you can obtain a blank RF100 form. However, in that case, you will have to fill out the details yourself (although there will be some details unavailable to you, depending on the particular vehicle; if that happens, just fill out as much of the form as you can).
2. The correct fee. (To determine the correct fee, please check the motor tax rates section.)

When you tax the vehicle, the Motor Tax Office will give you a tax disc (either over-the-counter, if you call in person, or by return-post, if you sent your application in by post). This must then be displayed on your vehicle's windscreen at all times.

Also, a Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) will be sent to you (by post) directly from the Vehicle Registration Unit in Shannon, Co. Clare after the vehicle has been taxed for the first time. It generally arrives within 5 working-days (but allow for seasonal delays in the postal system, such as at Christmas time, etc.). When you receive it, keep it in a safe place. Not only does it prove your ownership of the vehicle, but you'll need it to carry out a change of ownership if/when you sell your vehicle at a later date.