Vehicle Tax Calculator UK 2025/26 | Car Tax (VED) Rates & Bands

Free UK Vehicle Tax Calculator for 2025/26. Calculate car tax (VED) based on CO2 emissions, fuel type & registration date.

Last updated: February 2026

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Vehicle Tax Calculator UK 2025/26

Calculate your UK car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) based on CO2 emissions, fuel type, and vehicle registration period.

RDE2 diesels meet stricter real-world emissions tests
Found on V5C logbook or vehicle specs
Original list price including options & VAT

2025/26 Vehicle Tax Rates (VED Bands)

First year rates based on CO2 emissions for vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2017:

CO2 Emissions Petrol/RDE2 Diesel Non-RDE2 Diesel Alternative Fuel
0 g/km (Electric) £0 — £0
1-50 g/km £10 £30 £0
51-75 g/km £30 £135 £20
76-90 g/km £135 £175 £125
91-100 g/km £175 £195 £165
101-110 g/km £195 £220 £185
111-130 g/km £220 £270 £210
131-150 g/km £270 £680 £260
151-170 g/km £680 £1,095 £670
171-190 g/km £1,095 £1,650 £1,085
191-225 g/km £1,650 £2,340 £1,640
226-255 g/km £2,340 £2,745 £2,330
Over 255 g/km £2,745 £2,745 £2,735

Standard Rates (Year 2 onwards)

Fuel Type Annual Rate
Petrol or Diesel £190
Electric (exempt until April 2025, now £190) £0
Alternative Fuel (Hybrid, LPG) £180
Additional Costs Amount
Expensive Car Supplement (>£40k) +£620/year
Supplement Duration 5 years (Year 2-6)
Monthly Payment Admin +5%

Electric Vehicle Tax Changes from April 2025

Changes Now in Effect

The government implemented significant changes to EV taxation from 1 April 2025. Electric vehicle owners are now subject to these costs.

Before April 2025
Zero VED for EVs (Historical)

Electric vehicles paid no vehicle tax. £10 discount applied to alternative fuel vehicles.

From 1 April 2025 (Now in Effect)
EVs Now Pay VED

New EVs: Lowest first year rate. Existing EVs: Now pay standard rate (£190).

From 1 April 2025 (Now in Effect)
Expensive Car Supplement

EVs with list price over £40,000 now pay the £620 supplement for years 2-6.

From 1 April 2025 (Now in Effect)
Alternative Fuel Discount Ended

The £10 discount for alternative fuel vehicles has been abolished.

Impact on Popular EVs

Vehicle List Price Current Tax Current (From April 2025)
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range £39,990 £0 £190/year
Tesla Model Y Long Range £51,990 £0 £600/year*
BMW iX xDrive50 £87,850 £0 £600/year*
MG4 EV SE £26,995 £0 £190/year

*Includes £620 expensive car supplement (years 2-6)

Vehicle Tax for Older Cars

Cars Registered March 2001 - April 2017

These vehicles are taxed based on CO2 emissions bands:

Band CO2 (g/km) Petrol/Diesel Alternative
AUp to 100£0£0
B101-110£20£10
C111-120£35£25
D121-130£160£150
E131-140£190£180
F141-150£210£200
G151-165£255£245
H166-175£305£295
I176-185£350£340
J186-200£415£405
K201-225£440£430
L226-255£700£690
MOver 255£735£725

Cars Registered Before March 2001

These vehicles are taxed based on engine size only:

Engine Size Annual Rate
1549cc or less £200
1550cc or more £325

How to Pay Vehicle Tax

Payment Options

  • Annual Payment
    Full amount upfront - best value
  • Six Monthly
    Two payments per year +5% surcharge
  • Monthly (Direct Debit)
    Spread cost +5% surcharge

Where to Tax Your Vehicle

  • Online
    gov.uk/vehicle-tax - quickest method
  • Phone
    DVLA automated line: 0300 123 4321
  • Post Office
    Selected branches with V5C or V11

Did You Know? First-Year VED Rates

First-year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates are significantly higher for new cars with higher CO2 emissions. For the 2025/26 tax year, a new petrol or diesel car emitting over 255 g/km of CO2 faces a first-year rate of £2,745, while a car emitting 1-50 g/km pays just £10. From the second year onwards, most cars revert to the standard flat rate of £190 per year.

However, vehicles with a list price over £40,000 when new attract a supplementary rate of £620 per year for five years from the second registration. This means a £45,000 car could cost £600 per year in VED during years 2-6. Electric vehicles, which were previously exempt, now pay the standard rate from April 2025. Always check the V5C logbook or use the DVLA's online service to verify your vehicle's CO2 emissions band before calculating your road tax liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is car tax in the UK for 2025/26?
For most petrol and diesel cars registered after 1 April 2017, the standard annual rate is £190 from year 2 onwards. First year rates vary from £0 to £2,745 based on CO2 emissions. Since April 2025, electric vehicles also pay the standard rate. The £10 alternative fuel discount has been abolished.
What is the expensive car supplement and does it apply to me?
If your vehicle had a list price over £40,000 when new (including optional extras and VAT, but before first registration discount), you pay an additional £620 per year on top of the standard rate. This 'expensive car supplement' applies for 5 years from year 2 of registration (years 2-6). Since April 2025, the expensive car supplement also applies to electric vehicles.
What is RDE2 and why does it matter for diesel cars?
RDE2 (Real Driving Emissions 2) is a stricter emissions testing standard that measures pollutants under real-world driving conditions. Diesel cars that meet RDE2 standards pay the same first year rate as petrol cars. Non-RDE2 diesels pay a higher first year rate (one band higher) due to their higher real-world emissions. Your dealer or manufacturer can confirm if your diesel is RDE2 compliant.
When will electric cars start paying road tax?
Since 1 April 2025, electric vehicles pay VED. New EVs pay the lowest first year rate (£10 for 1-50g/km), then the standard rate (£190) from year 2. EVs with a list price over £40,000 are also liable for the expensive car supplement (£620/year for years 2-6). The £10 alternative fuel discount has been abolished.
Can I pay my car tax monthly?
Yes, you can pay monthly by Direct Debit if your annual rate is £30 or more. There's a 5% surcharge for spreading payments (same for 6-monthly payments). For example, a £190 annual rate becomes £199.50 total when paid monthly (12 payments of about £16.63). Payments are taken on or just after the 1st of each month.
How do I find my car's CO2 emissions?
You can find your car's CO2 emissions on: your V5C registration certificate (logbook), the vehicle's emissions label in the engine bay, the manufacturer's specifications, or by entering your registration at gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla. For new cars, CO2 figures are measured under WLTP testing; older cars used NEDC.
What happens if I don't tax my vehicle?
Driving an untaxed vehicle is a criminal offence. You could receive an £80 fixed penalty (rising to £1,000 at court), have your vehicle clamped and impounded (£100 release fee plus £25/day storage), or have your vehicle crushed if unclaimed. DVLA uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect untaxed vehicles.
Is vehicle tax refundable if I sell my car?
Yes, if you sell, transfer, or SORN your vehicle, you can claim a refund for any full remaining months of tax. Refunds are automatic when you notify DVLA of a sale using the V5C/2 section. The new owner must tax the vehicle before driving it, even if there's tax remaining from your ownership—vehicle tax no longer transfers with the car.
UC

Reviewed by: UK Calculator, Founder & Developer

Founder & Developer - UKCalculator.com

The UK Calculator team is the founder and developer of UKCalculator.com, providing free, accurate calculators for UK residents.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on DVLA VED rates for 2025/26. Actual tax may vary based on specific vehicle details. Always verify with DVLA or gov.uk for official rates. Information about future tax changes is based on government announcements and may be subject to change. This calculator is for guidance only and should not be considered tax advice.

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Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: February 2026.

Last updated: February 2026 | Verified with latest UK rates

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People Also Ask

You must file a Self Assessment tax return if you're self-employed earning over £1,000, have income over £100,000, earn untaxed income like rental or investment income, or are a company director. Deadline is 31 January for online filing.

Most employees are on 1257L for 2025/26, reflecting the £12,570 personal allowance. If you have multiple jobs, secondary employment uses BR (basic rate) code. Check your code on payslips or via HMRC online.

Maximise pension contributions (reduces taxable income), use your ISA allowance (tax-free savings), claim work-from-home relief if eligible, make gift aid donations, and ensure you're using all available allowances.

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Official Sources

For car-specific VED rates and calculations, use our Car Tax Calculator UK.