April 27, 2026 in London, United Kingdom — The United Kingdom's road tax system, officially known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), can be confusing for both new and experienced drivers. With rates changing based on CO2 emissions, vehicle price, first registration date, and fuel type, getting an accurate road tax estimate requires understanding multiple factors. This guide explains how UK road tax is calculated and how to use your vehicle registration to find your exact cost.
What Is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)?
Vehicle Excise Duty, commonly called road tax, is a mandatory annual tax that must be paid to keep a vehicle on public roads in the United Kingdom. The revenue funds road maintenance and infrastructure projects. VED is administered by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and is based on a vehicle's CO2 emissions, list price, and first registration date.
How UK Road Tax Is Calculated in 2026
First-Year Rates (Vehicles Registered After April 1, 2017)
| CO2 Emissions (g/km) | First Year Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 (Electric) | £0 |
| 1–50 | £10 |
| 51–75 | £30 |
| 76–90 | £130 |
| 91–100 | £165 |
| 101–110 | £185 |
| 111–130 | £210 |
| 131–150 | £270 |
| 151–165 | £350 |
| 166–175 | £570 |
| 176–185 | £770 |
| 186–200 | £1,210 |
| 201–225 | £1,560 |
| 226–255 | £2,270 |
| Over 255 | £5,690 |
Standard Rate (Years 2+)
From year 2 onwards, all vehicles registered since April 1, 2017 pay the same standard rate of £200 per year — regardless of CO2 emissions.
Expensive Car Supplement
Vehicles with a list price over £40,000 pay an additional £425 per year for years 2 through 5. This means:
- Years 2-5 for cars over £40,000: £200 + £425 = £625/year
- From year 6 onwards: £200/year only
Vehicles Registered Before April 1, 2017
For older vehicles, the system is different:
| Engine Size | Annual Rate |
|---|---|
| Under 1,549cc | £190/year |
| Over 1,549cc | £315/year |
Road Tax Exemptions in 2026
Certain vehicles are exempt from road tax:
- Vehicles owned by disabled people (mobility exemption)
- Historic vehicles (over 40 years old)
- Electric vehicles — no longer exempt from April 1, 2026
- Steam-powered vehicles
- Agricultural tractors and harvesters
- Vehicles used for emergency services
How to Tax Your Vehicle
You can tax your vehicle online at GOV.UK, at a post office, or by phone. To tax online, you will need:
- Your vehicle registration number
- Your 11-digit reference number from your V5C logbook
- Payment method (debit/credit card)
- MOT certificate number (if applicable)
- Insurance details
How to Check Road Tax by Registration
To check the road tax status and details of any UK vehicle:
- Visit check-vehicle-tax.service.gov.uk
- Enter the vehicle registration number
- The system will show: current tax status, MOT expiry, CO2 emissions, fuel type, and year of registration
This service is free and available 24/7. It draws data directly from DVLA records.
Understanding Your VED Band
The CO2 figure used for VED is the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) combined figure for new vehicles registered from 2018 onwards. For vehicles registered before 2018, the NEDC figure may be used. The WLTP figures are typically 10-20% higher than NEDC, meaning some older vehicles may fall into lower tax bands under the old system.
Scotland's Different Road Tax System
Vehicles registered in Scotland may be subject to the Scottish Variable Rate (SVR) for higher-emission vehicles. The SVR is determined by the vehicle's CO2 emissions and is applied at the first registration in Scotland. After the first year, these vehicles pay the standard UK rate of £200.
Road Tax Refunds
You are entitled to a refund of road tax for any full months remaining when:
- You sell your vehicle
- You take your vehicle off the road (SORN)
- Your vehicle is written off by your insurance company
- Your vehicle is scrapped
Refunds are processed automatically by DVLA when the relevant event is reported.
Conclusion
UK road tax (VED) in 2026 is calculated based on CO2 emissions, with first-year rates ranging from £0 to £5,690. From year 2, all vehicles pay £200/year, with an additional £425/year supplement for cars over £40,000. Use the DVLA's free online check at GOV.UK to find your exact road tax cost using your vehicle registration number. Use our Car Tax Calculator to compare costs across regions.
Disclaimer: VED rates are based on DVLA confirmed figures for 2026. Confirm current rates with DVLA before making vehicle purchase decisions.
Official Resources: GOV.UK Vehicle Tax | Check Vehicle Tax | VED Rate Tables