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Enter your registration number to find the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rules and 2026/27 car tax rate linked to your vehicle. A number plate is normally enough to identify the vehicle’s first-registration date, recorded CO2 emissions, fuel type and applicable VED rate.
Our checker uses current vehicle information from official UK records to show the details that affect your annual car tax, saving you from searching through several government rate tables yourself.
Use Our Free Reg Checker to Find Your VED Band
The free My Car Reg Check lookup retrieves the vehicle information recorded against your number plate. You can use the results to check your current car or compare the likely running costs of a used vehicle.
Your free registration lookup can show:
- The vehicle’s current tax status and tax expiry date
- Its DVLA tax band and estimated annual VED cost
- Fuel type and engine capacity
- First-registration date and year of manufacture
- MOT status and expiry date
- The latest V5C logbook issue date
- SORN status (where applicable)
We compile these details from trusted UK vehicle records, including information from the DVLA and DVSA. Some deeper checks, such as outstanding finance, theft records and insurance write-offs, require a full vehicle history check. Our report does not reveal the registered keeper’s name or home address.
Your VED band shows the vehicle’s likely annual tax cost. To see whether its tax is currently active and when it expires, run a separate road tax check.
How to Check Your Car Tax Band by Registration Number
Enter the registration exactly as it appears on the number plate. The checker retrieves the recorded vehicle details and uses the first-registration date to identify the relevant VED system.
The basic process is:
- Enter the vehicle registration number.
- Retrieve the vehicle details held in official records.
- Check when the vehicle was first registered.
- Review its CO2 emissions, fuel type and engine size.
- Match those details with the relevant 2026/27 VED rules.
You do not normally need the V5C logbook to run an initial registration check. However, the V5C registration certificate can help you verify the emissions figure, engine capacity, fuel type and first-registration information shown in the vehicle record.
When taxing the vehicle through the official service, you may need the reference number from the V5C, the green new-keeper slip or a V11 reminder letter. You may receive a vehicle-tax reminder by post, email or text.
If you are considering a used car, check its MOT and tax details after reviewing the tax band. It can help you confirm the vehicle’s current MOT and tax status before you arrange a viewing or pay a deposit.
1. Retrieve Your Vehicle Details via the DVLA Database
The registration number connects the vehicle to its recorded make, model, fuel type, engine size, tax status, emissions and first-registration date. A DVLA tax record check can show the make, model, fuel type, engine size, tax status, emissions output and first-registration date.
The first-registration date determines which set of VED rules applies:
- Before 1 March 2001: VED is based mainly on engine size.
- 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017: VED is based on CO2 emissions and the A-to-M bands.
- From 1 April 2017: The first-year rate is emissions-based, followed by a flat annual rate.
The first-registration date can differ from the vehicle’s manufacturing year. A car built late in one year may not have been registered until the following year, so use a car age check rather than relying only on the model year or number-plate appearance.
A standard registration lookup may not display the vehicle’s complete VIN. When buying a used car, compare the VIN shown on the vehicle with the one recorded in the V5C.
2. Identify the Key Factors Determining Your VED Rate
A car’s VED rate is determined by its first-registration date, official CO2 emissions, fuel type and, for some post-2017 vehicles, its original list price.
The DVLA does not calculate road tax from the car’s current resale value, mileage or condition. However, for some post-2017 vehicles, the original list price when new can trigger the Expensive Car Supplement. Two versions of the same model can therefore have different tax bills because of differences in their registration dates, emissions, fuel types or original specifications.
- First-registration date: Determines which VED system applies.
- CO2 emissions: The certified carbon dioxide output in g/km determines the first-year rate or legacy letter band.
- Fuel type: Petrol, diesel, electric and alternative-fuel vehicles can receive different treatment.
- Engine capacity: This determines the rate for cars registered before March 2001.
- Original list price: This can trigger the Expensive Car Supplement for qualifying post-2017 cars.
A diesel car registered on or after 1 April 2018 may move up one first-year band if it does not meet the Real Driving Emissions Step 2, or RDE2, standard. Euro 6 status does not automatically confirm that a car meets RDE2. Check the manufacturer’s emissions information if you are unsure.
Post-2017 Car Tax Rules: First-Year vs. Standard Rates (2026/27)
Cars first registered from 1 April 2017 use a two-stage VED system. The first-year rate, sometimes called showroom tax, depends on the vehicle’s recorded CO2 emissions, while the standard rate usually applies from the second tax payment onwards.
The flat standard rate for petrol, diesel, electric and alternative-fuel cars is £200 for the 2026/27 tax year. This rate applies from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
The 2026/27 first-year rates are:
| CO2 emissions | First-year VED rate |
| 0g/km | £10 |
| 1–50g/km | £115 |
| 51–75g/km | £135 |
| 76–90g/km | £280 |
| 91–100g/km | £365 |
| 101–110g/km | £405 |
| 111–130g/km | £455 |
| 131–150g/km | £560 |
| 151–170g/km | £1,410 |
| 171–190g/km | £2,270 |
| 191–225g/km | £3,420 |
| 226–255g/km | £4,850 |
| Over 255g/km | £5,690 |
Most diesel cars that do not meet RDE2 pay the rate in the next emissions band during their first year. For example, a non-RDE2 diesel emitting 120g/km is charged at the rate that would normally apply to the 131–150g/km band.
Because the first-year and standard rates are calculated differently, the tax bill can change significantly after the first 12 months. For example, a new petrol car emitting 160g/km costs £1,410 in its first year, then normally moves to the £200 standard rate.
Cars above the relevant list-price threshold may also pay the £440 Expensive Car Supplement. The official GOV.UK vehicle tax rates show the current first-year, standard and additional charges.
The 2026 Expensive Car Supplement (Luxury Car Surcharge)
The Expensive Car Supplement adds £440 a year to the standard VED rate for qualifying cars. For the 2026/27 tax year, it applies to:
- Petrol, diesel and alternative-fuel cars with an original list price of more than £40,000
- Zero-emission cars with an original list price of more than £50,000, where the relevant EV registration rules apply
From 1 April 2026, qualifying zero-emission vehicles use a higher £50,000 threshold for the Expensive Car Supplement. This applies to eligible EVs first registered on or after 1 April 2025, following a change announced in Budget 2025.
The supplement begins with the second vehicle-tax payment and continues for five years. The calculation uses the manufacturer’s published list price when the vehicle was new, before discounts. It does not use:
- The second-hand purchase price
- The vehicle’s current market value
- The balance left on a finance agreement
- The amount paid after a dealer discount
Factory-fitted options may increase the original list price, so confirm the figure for the exact model and specification with the dealer or manufacturer.
A qualifying car paying the £200 standard rate plus the £440 supplement has a total annual bill of £640. If paid through 12 monthly Direct Debit instalments, the total becomes £672 because monthly payments carry a 5% surcharge.
When buying a premium used car, check its first-registration date and original list price to find out whether the surcharge still applies. A full vehicle history check can also help you confirm key dates and identify concerns such as outstanding finance, theft records or previous write-offs.
Legacy Car Tax Bands: March 2001 to March 2017 Registrations
Cars first registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 remain within the A-to-M VED band system. Their annual rate is based on the certified CO2 emissions recorded in grams per kilometre.
The 2026/27 annual rates for cars in the A-to-M VED system are:
- Band A — up to 100g/km: £20
- Band B — 101–110g/km: £20
- Band C — 111–120g/km: £35
- Band D — 121–130g/km: £170
- Band E — 131–140g/km: £200
- Band F — 141–150g/km: £225
- Band G — 151–165g/km: £275
- Band H — 166–175g/km: £325
- Band I — 176–185g/km: £360
- Band J — 186–200g/km: £410
- Band K — 201–225g/km: £445
- Band L — 226–255g/km: £760
- Band M — over 255g/km: £790
Band K also includes certain cars with emissions above 225g/km that were registered before 23 March 2006.
Even a small difference in recorded emissions can change the annual rate: a vehicle recorded at 140g/km costs £200, while one recorded at 141g/km costs £225.
Use the official emissions figure rather than relying on the engine badge or seller’s description. You can usually find it on the V5C registration certificate or through a registration lookup.
Classic and Pre-2001 Car Tax Rules
Cars and light goods vehicles registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed according to engine capacity rather than CO2 emissions.
The 2026/27 annual rates are:
- Engine size of 1549cc or below: £230
- Engine size above 1549cc: £375
These rates apply to vehicles in the relevant Private or Light Goods tax class.
Engine sizes used in model names are often rounded, so check the exact capacity recorded in cubic centimetres before estimating the rate. A car described as having a 1.6-litre engine will usually fall above the 1549cc threshold, but the engine capacity shown in the DVLA record determines the rate.
2026 Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Car Tax Realities
Electric cars no longer receive an automatic £0 VED rate. Since 1 April 2025, the amount an electric car pays has depended on its first-registration date.
EVs registered from 1 April 2025
A zero-emission car registered on or after 1 April 2025 pays £10 in its first year and then moves to the £200 standard rate.
If its original list price was more than £50,000, the £440 Expensive Car Supplement may apply for five years from the second tax payment. The combined annual charge during that period is £640.
EVs registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025
These electric vehicles pay the £200 standard annual rate in 2026/27. However, a zero-emission car registered before 1 April 2025 is not liable for the Expensive Car Supplement under the current rules.
EVs registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017
Electric and zero-emission cars in this registration period pay £20 a year. From April 2025, these vehicles moved from a £0 rate to the current Band A charge, which is £20 for 2026/27.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and other alternative-fuel vehicles no longer receive the former £10 annual discount.
A hybrid registered before 1 April 2017 pays according to its CO2 emissions band. A plug-in hybrid or other alternative-fuel car registered from 1 April 2017 usually pays the £200 standard rate after its first year.
The first-year charge for a new plug-in hybrid still depends on its certified carbon dioxide emissions. Use the officially recorded CO2 figure when checking the first-year rate rather than estimating it from the vehicle’s electric range.
Use our electric vehicle tax rules guide when comparing EVs from different registration periods.
Looking Ahead: 2028 eVED Pay-Per-Mile Charge
From 1 April 2028, electric and plug-in hybrid cars are scheduled to face an additional mileage-based charge called Electric Vehicle Excise Duty, or eVED. Drivers will pay it alongside their existing annual VED rather than as a replacement for it.
The initial eVED rates will be:
- Battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell cars: 3p per mile
- Plug-in hybrid cars: 1.5p per mile
The charge will begin when an eligible UK-registered car is next taxed on or after 1 April 2028. Regular hybrids without an external charging port are not included in the current eVED rules.
When renewing their tax, drivers will provide an odometer reading and estimate how far they expect to drive during the next tax period. Drivers can pay the estimated charge upfront or spread it across the year. A later mileage reading will be used to adjust any overpayment or underpayment. The DVLA will administer eVED alongside the existing vehicle-tax system.
The government plans to increase the mileage rates in line with Consumer Prices Index inflation from 2029/30.
Who Is Exempt from Paying UK Car Tax?
Some vehicles qualify for a £0 VED rate, but they must still be registered and taxed in the correct class.
Vehicles used by a disabled person
An eligible disabled driver or nominated driver can claim an exemption for one vehicle at a time. The vehicle must be used for the disabled person’s personal needs.
Eligibility depends on the mobility benefit a person receives. Those receiving a higher or enhanced mobility rate may qualify for a full exemption, while some people on the standard mobility rate may receive a 50% reduction.
Vehicle tax is usually arranged for cars leased through the Motability Scheme, but drivers should still confirm that the vehicle is registered in the correct tax class. Use the official disabled vehicle-tax exemption guidance when applying, or changing vehicles.
Historic and classic vehicles
From 1 April 2026, a vehicle built before 1 January 1986 can generally qualify for historic vehicle tax exemption. If the build date is unknown, a vehicle first registered before 8 January 1986 may also qualify.
The exemption must be claimed by placing the vehicle into the historic tax class. A vehicle may not qualify if it is used commercially, such as for carrying paying passengers or transporting goods for payment.
Check the full GOV.UK historic vehicle rules before assuming a car qualifies.
Agricultural and specialist vehicles
Certain tractors, agricultural engines and limited-use vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture or forestry can be exempt. Other qualifying categories include some disabled passenger vehicles, mobility scooters, steam-powered vehicles and mowing machines.
SORN (different from a tax exemption)
A Statutory Off Road Notification, or SORN, tells the DVLA that a vehicle is being kept off public roads. It is not a permanent exemption or a special tax class.
Once a SORN is active:
- The vehicle must stay off public roads.
- It can be kept in a garage, on a driveway or on private land.
- Any full remaining months of paid tax are normally refunded.
- The SORN ends when the vehicle is taxed, sold, scrapped or permanently exported.
- It does not need to be renewed each year.
A SORN vehicle can normally be driven on a public road only to or from a pre-booked MOT or another approved test. Using it for another journey can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.
A VED exemption also does not automatically remove local environmental charges. Check possible Clean Air Zone charges separately before driving into a charging area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Checking Car Tax by Reg
What Are the Confirmed Car Tax Changes for the 2026/27 Tax Year?
From 1 April 2026, the standard annual VED rate rose from £195 to £200, while the Expensive Car Supplement increased from £425 to £440. Most legacy and first-year rates also rose, with the highest first-year charge increasing from £5,490 to £5,690.
The pre-March 2001 rates increased from £220 to £230 for engines up to 1549cc and from £360 to £375 for larger engines. Legacy Band M rose from £760 to £790, while Bands A and B remained at £20.
From 1 April 2026, the Expensive Car Supplement threshold increased to £50,000 for qualifying zero-emission vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025. The threshold remains £40,000 for petrol, diesel and other alternative-fuel cars.
The April 2025 changes remain in force. Electric cars are still subject to VED, and hybrids no longer receive the former alternative-fuel discount; only the rates and relevant thresholds changed for 2026/27.
How Much Is the Standard Rate of Car Tax Right Now?
The standard annual rate is £200 for the 2026/27 tax year. It generally applies from the second tax payment to petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid and other alternative-fuel cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017.
The first-year rate can be much higher because it depends on CO2 emissions. A qualifying expensive car may also pay the £440 supplement, bringing the annual total to £640 during the five-year surcharge period.
You can pay annually, every six months or monthly by Direct Debit. Monthly and six-month Direct Debit payments carry a 5% surcharge. A one-off six-month payment carries a 10% surcharge.
Cars registered before April 2017 do not automatically pay the £200 flat rate. Their tax is determined by the older emissions-band or engine-capacity system.
What Is Car Tax (VED) and Why Is It Legally Required?
Vehicle Excise Duty is the official name for car tax or road tax. A vehicle driven or kept on a public road must be taxed unless it is recorded in an exempt class; a vehicle kept entirely off-road must normally have a valid SORN.
The DVLA collects VED on behalf of the UK government, and the money goes into general public funds rather than being reserved for specific roads.
The DVLA can identify untaxed vehicles through the national vehicle register, roadside checks and automatic number plate recognition cameras.
Being the registered keeper of an untaxed vehicle can trigger an £80 Late Licensing Penalty, reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. Using or keeping an untaxed vehicle can lead to additional penalties, clamping or court action.
For some untaxed-vehicle offences, a court penalty can reach £1,000 or five times the outstanding tax, whichever is greater. Using a vehicle on a public road while a SORN is active can lead to a penalty of £2,500 or five times the tax due, whichever is greater.
Check the official DVLA vehicle-tax enforcement policy for the penalty linked to each specific offence.
