Independent guide. Not affiliated with DVLA or GOV.UK. Rates for vehicles registered from April 2017.

How Much Is Car Tax in the UK?

Updated 30 March 2026

UK car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) costs £190 per year at the standard rate. First year rates range from £0 for zero-emission vehicles to £2,745 for the highest polluters. Electric cars are no longer exempt as of April 2025, now paying £10 per year.

£190

Standard rate

Most cars (year 2+)

£10

Electric vehicles

From April 2025

£600

Premium cars

£40k+ list price (years 2-6)

Quick Answer

Most cars pay the standard rate of £190 per year. The first year rate depends on CO2 emissions and can range from £0 to £2,745. If your car cost over £40,000 new, you pay an extra £410 per year for 5 years. Electric vehicles now pay £10 per year.

First Year VED Rates by CO2 Band

These rates apply to the first 12 months only. From year 2, all vehicles pay the standard rate.

BandCO2 (g/km)Petrol / HybridDieselTypical vehicles
A0 g/km£0£0Electric vehicles
B1-50 g/km£10£30Plug-in hybrids
C51-75 g/km£30£50Efficient hybrids
D76-90 g/km£135£155Small economical cars
E91-100 g/km£165£185Superminis, small hatchbacks
F101-110 g/km£185£205Family hatchbacks
G111-130 g/km£210£230Most family cars
H131-150 g/km£255£275Larger family cars, small SUVs
I151-170 g/km£680£700SUVs, performance cars
J171-190 g/km£1,095£1,115Large SUVs
K191-225 g/km£1,650£1,670Sports cars, large SUVs
L226-255 g/km£2,340£2,360High performance vehicles
MOver 255 g/km£2,745£2,765Supercars, large V8s

Diesel rates include the diesel supplement. Rates shown for vehicles registered from 1 April 2017 onwards.

Car Tax Calculator

Enter your vehicle details to find out your annual VED rate and first year cost.

Found on your V5C logbook

CO2 Band: G (111-130 g/km)

First Year Rate

£210

One-off payment when first registered

Annual Rate (year 2+)

£190

Paid every 12 months

Standard rate of £190/year applies from the second year onwards for all non-electric vehicles registered from April 2017.

Rates shown are for vehicles registered from 1 April 2017 onwards (the current VED system). Vehicles registered before this date use the older CO2-based banding system with different rates. Cars with a list price over £40,000 pay an additional £410/year for 5 years on top of the standard rate.

Payment Options

Three ways to pay your VED, and what each option costs at the standard £190 rate.

Payment MethodEach PaymentSurchargeAnnual Total
Annual (single payment)£190None£190/year
Six-monthly (2 payments)£104.50 each10%£209/year
Monthly (Direct Debit)£16.63/month5%£199.50/year

How UK Car Tax Works

Post-April 2017 System

  • First year rate based on CO2 emissions (13 bands)
  • Diesel cars pay a supplement (£20 extra per band)
  • From year 2 onwards, flat £190 standard rate for all
  • Electric vehicles pay £0 first year, then £10/year
  • Cars over £40,000 list price pay £410 extra for 5 years
  • Can pay annually, 6-monthly, or monthly by Direct Debit

Pre-April 2017 System

  • Annual rate based on CO2 band (not flat rate)
  • Rates vary from £0 (Band A) to £695+ (Band M)
  • No expensive car supplement applies
  • Many low-emission cars (Band A-B) pay £0-£30/year
  • Diesel supplement does not apply to pre-2017 vehicles
  • Your V5C logbook shows which system applies to you

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is car tax in the UK in 2026?
The standard rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for most cars registered from April 2017 onwards is £190 per year. This applies from the second year of registration. First year rates vary from £0 to £2,745 depending on CO2 emissions. Electric vehicles pay £10 per year from April 2025.
How much is car tax for electric vehicles?
From 1 April 2025, electric vehicles are no longer exempt from VED. New electric cars pay £0 in the first year, then £10 per year standard rate. This is a significant change, as EVs were previously completely exempt. The £10 rate is still far less than the £190 standard rate for petrol and diesel vehicles.
What is the expensive car supplement?
If your car had a list price (including options) of over £40,000 when new, you pay an additional £410 per year on top of the standard rate for years 2 through 6 of the car's life (5 years total). This means you would pay £190 + £410 = £600 per year. From year 7 onwards, you only pay the standard £190 rate. Electric vehicles with a list price over £40,000 are exempt from this supplement until April 2025.
Can I pay car tax monthly?
Yes. You can pay VED annually (full amount), every 6 months (with a 10% surcharge, roughly 5% extra per year), or monthly by Direct Debit (with a 5% surcharge). For example, at the £190 standard rate: annual payment is £190, six-monthly is £104.50 (£209 total), and monthly is £16.63 (£199.50 total).
What happens if I do not pay car tax?
Driving without valid VED is a criminal offence. You can receive an £80 late licensing penalty, which doubles to £160 if not paid within 28 days. DVLA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect untaxed vehicles. Your car can be clamped, impounded, and eventually crushed. You may also face a fine of up to £1,000 in court.
How do I check if my car is taxed?
You can check for free on the GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. Enter your registration number to see the tax status, MOT status, and CO2 emissions. You can also check using the DVLA app.
Do I get a refund if I sell my car?
Yes. When you notify DVLA that you have sold your car (using the V5C logbook), any remaining full months of VED are automatically refunded to the registered keeper. The refund is sent by cheque to the address on the V5C. The new owner must tax the vehicle before driving it, even if there is existing tax showing.
Are hybrid cars cheaper to tax?
It depends on the type. Conventional hybrids (non plug-in) are taxed based on their CO2 emissions, the same as petrol cars. Their CO2 is typically lower than an equivalent petrol car, so first year rates are lower. Plug-in hybrids have even lower CO2 (often 20-50 g/km) and benefit from lower first year rates. All hybrids pay the standard £190 rate from year 2.

Related Resources

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