UK Road Tax Calculator
Estimate your UK road tax (VED) using current official DVLA rates. Compare estimates for supported vehicle types using CO2 emissions, fuel type and first registration date.
Calculate Your Road Tax
Enter your vehicle details below to calculate road tax using the official 2026-27 DVLA rates (V149 leaflet).
This determines which tax system applies — for imports, use the date it was first registered anywhere in the world
Found on your V5C (log book) or manufacturer specifications
How Road Tax is Calculated
CO2 Emissions
Tax bands are based on your vehicle's CO2 emissions (g/km). Lower emissions = lower tax.
Registration Date
Different rates apply for vehicles first registered before/after April 2017.
Fuel Type
Since April 2025, electric vehicles pay road tax too, and the old £10 alternative-fuel discount has been abolished. Non-RDE2 diesels pay a higher first-year rate.
Tax Band Overview
| CO2 Emissions (g/km) | First Year Rate | Standard Rate | Fuel Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | £10 | £200 | Electric |
| 1-50 | £115 | £200 | Petrol/Diesel |
| 51-75 | £135 | £200 | Petrol/Diesel |
| 76-90 | £280 | £200 | Petrol/Diesel |
| 255+ | £5,690 | £200 | High emissions |
2026-27 rates (DVLA V149 leaflet, April 2026). First-year rates apply to brand-new registrations only; vehicles first registered 2001-2017 use the older CO2 bands and pre-2001 vehicles are taxed by engine size. Cars with a list price over £40,000 (£50,000 for EVs registered from April 2025) pay a £440 supplement for 5 years from the second licence.
Why Use Our Calculator?
✅ Accurate & Official
- • Uses current official DVLA rates
- • Updated for latest tax band changes
- • Explains supported rates and exemptions
- • Handles complex scenarios automatically
🚀 Quick & Easy
- • Instant calculations
- • No registration required
- • Direct link to DVLA payment
- • Works on mobile and desktop
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to pay road tax?
Arrange vehicle tax before using the vehicle on the road, then renew it when due. Check the current expiry through DVLA’s vehicle-tax service and follow the renewal notice or official payment instructions.
Do electric vehicles pay road tax?
Since April 2025, electric vehicles are no longer exempt from road tax. The applicable rate depends on registration date. The expensive-car threshold is £50,000 for electric cars first registered from April 2025; check the current official tables for the rate and supplement conditions.
What about classic cars?
Vehicles built more than 40 years ago are exempt as "historic vehicles" — for the 2026-27 tax year that means built before 1 January 1986. You must apply to move the vehicle into the historic tax class, and still tax it (at £0) each year.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes, you can pay road tax monthly by Direct Debit, but it costs 5% more than paying annually. A 6-month licence is also available for most rates at 55% of the annual amount — about 10% more per year than paying annually.
Importing a Vehicle to the UK?
Imported vehicles need to be registered with DVLA before you can pay road tax. Our V55/5 form service makes the registration process quick and error-free.
Related Tools
Example scenario
A used import’s first UK registration
A car’s first registration overseas and its first UK registration are different dates. For the tax amount to include with a V55/5, use the cheque calculator and its import questions rather than treating the import as a brand-new UK car.
Official guidance
Guidance links checked 3 October 2026. This is an independent service, not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or HMRC.