What Car Tax Band Is My Car?
Your car's tax band depends on its emissions, fuel type, and registration date. To find out how much you'll pay, enter your vehicle's registration number in our car tax band checker. Vehicle tax band check is a convenient method to check and stay updated on your vehicle's tax details.
How Can I Find My Car Tax Band?
To find my car tax band, you must know when it was first registered. This information can be found on page one of your vehicle's V5C logbook, which also includes the registration date. Once you know the year, you can use it to find out your car's tax band and how much you'll have to pay each year. It's a simple procedure that keeps you informed about your vehicle's tax payments.
Car Tax Bands Based on Registration Date
Car tax bands are determined by your vehicle's registration date, with different rules and rates applied to vehicles registered in different time periods.
Car Tax Rates for Vehicles Registered from April 2017
For cars registered on or after April 1, 2017, the first 12 months have an initial tax rate based on the vehicle's emissions. Following that, the tax rate changes each year based on the vehicle's emissions.
Initial Tax Payment Based on Vehicle Emissions
When you tax your vehicle for the first time, the amount you pay is determined by its emissions. The tax increases in line with the level of emissions, meaning cars with higher emissions pay more. Here's a breakdown of the original tax rates based on emissions.
| Emissions (g/km) | Petrol and Diesel Cars (RDE2) | Other Diesels | Alternative Fuel |
| 0 | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| 1-50 | £10 | £30 | £0 |
| 51-75 | £30 | £130 | £20 |
| 76-90 | £130 | £165 | £120 |
| 91-100 | £165 | £185 | £155 |
| 101-110 | £185 | £210 | £175 |
| 111-130 | £210 | £255 | £200 |
| 131-150 | £255 | £645 | £245 |
| 151-170 | £645 | £1,040 | £635 |
| 171-190 | £1,040 | £1,565 | £1,030 |
| 191-225 | £1,565 | £2,220 | £1,555 |
| 226-255 | £2,220 | £2,605 | £2,210 |
| 256+ | £2,605 | £2,605 | £2,595 |
Post-First Year Tax: Additional Charges for High-Value Vehicles
After the first year, car tax rates become more straightforward. The annual tax is £180 for petrol and diesel cars, £170 for alternative fuel vehicles, and £0 for electric vehicles. If your car's list price is over £40,000, you'll pay an extra £390 each year for five years. This extra charge does not apply to zero-emission vehicles. You can also choose to pay for 6 months, with rates set at £99 for petrol/diesel cars, £93.50 for alternative fuel vehicles, and £0 for electric cars.
Car Tax Rates for Vehicles Registered Between March 2001 and April 2017
For cars registered for the first time between March 2001 and April 2017, car tax is based on the vehicle's CO2 emissions. The more CO2 your car emits, the higher the tax. Here's how the tax rates are broken down for petrol and diesel cars:
| Emissions Band | CO2 Emissions (g/km) | 12-Month Tax | 6-Month Tax |
| A | Up to 100g/km | £0 | - |
| B | 101-110g/km | £20 | - |
| C | 111-120g/km | £35 | - |
| D | 121-130g/km | £150 | £82.50 |
| E | 131-140g/km | £180 | £99 |
| F | 141-150g/km | £200 | £110 |
| G | 151-165g/km | £240 | £132 |
| H | 166-175g/km | £290 | £159.50 |
| I | 176-185g/km | £320 | £176 |
| J | 186-200g/km | £365 | £200.75 |
| K* | 201-225g/km | £395 | £217.25 |
| L | 226-255g/km | £675 | £371.25 |
| M | Over 255g/km | £695 | £382.25 |
Tax Rates for Alternative Fuel Cars Registered from March 2001
For alternative fuel cars registered from March 2001, the tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. The table below shows the tax rates for these vehicles:
| Emissions Band | CO2 Emissions (g/km) | 12-Month Tax | 6-Month Tax |
| A | Up to 100g/km | £0 | - |
| B | 101-110g/km | £10 | - |
| C | 111-120g/km | £25 | - |
| D | 121-130g/km | £140 | £77 |
| E | 131-140g/km | £170 | £93.50 |
| F | 141-150g/km | £190 | £104.50 |
| G | 151-165g/km | £230 | £126.50 |
| H | 166-175g/km | £280 | £154 |
| I | 176-185g/km | £310 | £170.50 |
| J | 186-200g/km | £355 | £195.25 |
| K* | 201-225g/km | £385 | £211.75 |
| L | 226-255g/km | £665 | £365.75 |
| M | Over 255g/km | £685 | £376.75 |
Tax Rates for Cars and Vans Registered Before March 2001
For cars and light goods vehicles registered before March 2001, the vehicle tax is based on the engine size. If your car has an engine capacity of 1549cc or less, the annual tax is £200, with a six-month tax option of £110. For cars with engines larger than 1549cc, the tax rate is £325 for 12 months or £178.75 for 6 months.
Motorhome Tax Rates Based on Gross Weight
Motorhomes are taxed based on their gross weight. For motorhomes weighing 3.5 tonnes or less, the tax rate depends on the engine size. If the engine capacity is 1549cc or below, the annual tax is £200, with a six-month alternative for £110. For RVs with engines larger than 1549cc, the tax is £325 for 12 months or £178.75 for six months.
Tax Rates for Motorhomes Over 3.5 Tonnes
Motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 tonnes have a separate tax rate. The annual tax on these motorhomes is £165, or you can pay £90.75 for six months.
Tax Rates for Motorhomes Registered Between April 2017 and March 2020
Motorhomes registered between April 2017 and March 2020 in the M1SP category can have a different tax rate depending on their CO2 emissions. If the CO2 emissions are included on the type approval certificate, the tax rate will be based on those emissions. This means that the tax can vary; therefore, check the certificate for specifics.
Checking the Latest Vehicle Tax Rates from DVLA
Visit the
DVLA website for a car tax band check. The rates might fluctuate each year, so it's critical to stay up. The website allows you to readily find the current tax bands depending on your vehicle's emissions, fuel type, and registration date. This ensures that you are paying the proper amount and complying with the newest requirements.
FAQs
What is car tax?
Car tax, commonly known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), is a levy that UK vehicle owners must pay to legally use their cars on public highways. The amount you pay is determined by several factors, including the car's emissions, fuel type, and registration date. The tax helps fund road maintenance and public transport, although the revenue is not always spent directly on roads. It's essential to keep your car tax up to date to avoid fines or penalties.
What Are the Confirmed Car Tax Changes for April 2025?
From April 1 2025, there will be several important changes to car tax rates that UK vehicle owners should be aware of. Electric vehicles (EVs) will no longer be exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). EVs registered after April 1 2025, will have a first-year tax rate of £10, which will last until 2029. However, if the EV costs more than £40,000, an additional £425 per year, known as the "Expensive Car Supplement" or luxury car tax, will apply.
EVs registered between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2025, will now pay the same standard rate of road tax as other vehicles, which is currently £195 per year. For plug-in hybrids and cars emitting between 1-50 g/km of CO2, the first-year tax will rise to £110, up from zero for hybrids and £10 for petrol and diesel vehicles.
New cars emitting between 51-75 g/km of CO2 will see a significant increase in car tax, with rates jumping from £30 (or £20 for hybrids) to £135. All other tax rates for new cars will effectively double in the first year, meaning higher costs for vehicles like a new VW Golf 1.5 TSI or BMW X5 M60i.
After the first year, the standard VED rates will rise in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI), just as they have in previous years.
How Much Will Car Tax Cost in 2025?
In 2025, car tax rates in the UK will change for many vehicles. The standard car tax will be £195 per year for most vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) will pay a £10 first-year tax, but those with a list price over £40,000 will also face an extra £425 per year for five years. Cars emitting between 1-50 g/km of CO2 will see their first-year tax rise to £110, while the tax for new cars with higher emissions will more than double. After the first year, the rates will increase in line with inflation.
What Is Car Tax (VED) and Why Is It Required?
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), usually known as car tax or road tax, is a levy required to legally operate your vehicle on UK public roads. It was implemented in 1937 to replace an older road tax system that had been in effect since the 17th century when Hackney Carriages were taxed. The tax disc, introduced in 1921, was used until 2014 when it was abolished.
In 1974, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLC), later renamed the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), took over responsibility for managing vehicle registration and taxation. The DVLA currently receives over £5 billion in VED every year, but not all of it goes towards road upgrades. VED is part of the general tax system, therefore it can also be used for education and healthcare.
Car tax is essential to ensure that cars contribute to the cost of maintaining public roads, even though VED is no longer directly related to road infrastructure. It also helps to control car emissions, encouraging individuals to pick cleaner, more environmentally friendly cars.
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