Road Tax Calculator 2025/26 UK

UK road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) is calculated differently based on when your vehicle was registered:

• Registered before March 2001: Based on engine size (cc)
• March 2001 - March 2017: 13 CO2 emissions bands (A to M)
• From April 2017: Emissions-based first year rate, then flat standard rate

For modern vehicles, you pay a first year rate based on CO2 emissions (higher emissions = higher tax), then a standard flat rate from year 2 onwards. The expensive car supplement adds £410/year for vehicles over £40,000 for the first 5 years.

The expensive car supplement is an additional £410/year charge that applies to vehicles with a list price (new) over £40,000. Key points:

• Applies for years 2-6 of ownership (5 years total)
• Based on original list price, not what you paid
• Includes optional extras fitted at registration
• From April 2025, now includes electric vehicles

Example: A £45,000 petrol car would pay £190 standard rate + £410 supplement = £600/year for years 2-6, then £190/year from year 7 onwards.

Road tax must be paid before you can legally drive on public roads. Key payment points:

• New vehicles: Paid at point of registration by the dealer
• Used vehicles: Must tax before driving - the previous owner's tax doesn't transfer
• Renewals: Pay monthly, 6-monthly, or annually via DVLA

You can pay road tax online at GOV.UK, by phone, or at a Post Office. Monthly direct debit costs slightly more (5% premium) but spreads the cost.

No, paper tax discs were abolished in 2014. The DVLA now maintains an electronic database that links your vehicle registration to your tax status. Police and ANPR cameras can check this automatically.

However, you must still:

• Tax your vehicle before driving on public roads
• Ensure continuous registration (tax, SORN, or trade license)
• Keep your vehicle insured if taxed

You can check if your vehicle is taxed online at GOV.UK using your registration number.

Driving without valid road tax is a criminal offence. Consequences include:

• Late Licensing Penalty: £80 (or £40 if paid within 28 days)
• Court prosecution: Fine up to £1,000
• ANPR detection: Automatic penalty notices
• Clamping/impounding: Vehicle can be seized

If your vehicle is off the road, you must declare it as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) to avoid penalties.

Yes, you can get a refund for complete remaining months of tax when you:

• Sell the vehicle (tax doesn't transfer to new owner)
• SORN the vehicle (take it off the road)
• Scrap the vehicle
• Export the vehicle

Refunds are calculated from the start of the next month. If you sell on 15th January, you get a refund from 1st February onwards. Apply via DVLA using your V5C or notification of sale.

SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declares that your vehicle is kept off public roads and not being used. You need SORN when:

• Your vehicle is kept on private land and not driven
• You're restoring a vehicle not being used
• You can't afford to tax and insure it temporarily

SORN is free and lasts until you tax the vehicle again or sell it. If you SORN a vehicle, you don't need to insure it (unless it's financed). You cannot drive a SORN vehicle on any public road, even to get to a garage.

No, hybrid vehicles are not exempt from road tax, but they often pay less due to lower CO2 emissions. Key points:

• Mild hybrids: Pay same as petrol/diesel based on emissions
• Full hybrids: Often 1-50g/km = £10 first year
• Plug-in hybrids: Often 0-50g/km = £10 first year
• Alternative fuel discount: £10 off standard rate

From year 2, hybrids pay the same standard rate as petrol/diesel (£190) minus £10 alternative fuel discount = £180/year.