How much is my car tax?

A tax check shows whether a car is taxed and when it's due, but not what you'll pay. These tables, based on GOV.UK rates from 1 April 2026, help you work it out.

Why is it so complicated?

Successive governments have changed how VED is charged: first by engine size, then by CO2 emissions from March 2001, then a new structure from April 2017. Cars stay on the system they were first registered under, so three systems run side by side.

Cars registered from 1 April 2017

First tax payment

Paid when the car is first registered, based on CO2. It covers 12 months and is usually included in a new car's on-the-road price.

First tax payment, cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
CO2 emissionsPetrol, RDE2 diesel, alternative fuel and zero emissionAll other diesel
0g/km£10£10
1 to 50g/km£115£135
51 to 75g/km£135£280
76 to 90g/km£280£365
91 to 100g/km£365£405
101 to 110g/km£405£455
111 to 130g/km£455£560
131 to 150g/km£560£1,410
151 to 170g/km£1,410£2,270
171 to 190g/km£2,270£3,420
191 to 225g/km£3,420£4,850
226 to 255g/km£4,850£5,690
Over 255g/km£5,690£5,690

Diesel cars that don't meet the RDE2 nitrogen oxide standard pay the higher column.

Second payment onwards

Second tax payment onwards, cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
Payment optionStandard rateList price over £40,000*
Single 12 month payment£200£640
12 month payment by Direct Debit£200£640
Total of 12 monthly Direct Debits£210£672
Single 6 month payment£110£352
6 month payment by Direct Debit£105£336

*The expensive car supplement of £440 a year applies to cars with a list price over £40,000 (for electric cars, GOV.UK sets the threshold at £50,000). It is paid for 5 years from the second time the vehicle is taxed. Zero emission cars registered before 1 April 2025 do not pay it.

Cars registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017

Cars registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 (12 month rate)
BandCO2 emissions12 months6 months
AUp to 100g/km£20N/A
B101 to 110g/km£20N/A
C111 to 120g/km£35N/A
D121 to 130g/km£170£93.50
E131 to 140g/km£200£110
F141 to 150g/km£225£123.75
G151 to 165g/km£275£151.25
H166 to 175g/km£325£178.75
I176 to 185g/km£360£198
J186 to 200g/km£410£225.50
K*201 to 225g/km£445£244.75
L226 to 255g/km£760£418
MOver 255g/km£790£434.50

*Band K includes cars with a CO2 figure over 225g/km that were registered before 23 March 2006.

Cars registered before 1 March 2001

Cars and light goods vehicles registered before 1 March 2001
Engine size12 months6 months
Not over 1,549cc£230£126.50
Over 1,549cc£375£206.25

Electric and hybrid cars

Since 1 April 2025, electric cars pay vehicle tax. Hybrids and other alternative fuel cars were already taxable and use the same tables as petrol and diesel.

Classic cars

Vehicles built before 1 January 1986 can be exempt from 1 April 2026 under the historic vehicle rules, but you must apply for the historic tax class.

Source: GOV.UK vehicle tax rate tables. Rates change each April, so always confirm on GOV.UK before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

How much is car tax for a car registered after April 2017?

From the second tax payment it's £200 a year at the standard rate, or £640 a year for 5 years if the list price was over £40,000.

How much is car tax for a car registered between 2001 and 2017?

It depends on its CO2 band, from £20 a year (bands A and B) to £790 a year (band M).

How much is tax on a pre-2001 car?

£230 a year if the engine is 1,549cc or less, and £375 a year if it's larger.