How Much Is Road Tax (VED) on My Car in 2026?
Vehicle Excise Duty rates changed significantly from April 2025, and EVs now pay VED for the first time. Here's exactly how much road tax your car costs in 2026, by fuel type, age and first-year registration.
VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) Overview
VED — commonly called road tax or car tax — is an annual tax levied on most motor vehicles used on UK public roads. It is collected by the DVLA, not HMRC. You must have valid VED (or a SORN — Statutory Off Road Notification) at all times.
VED rates are set in the Budget and typically change from 1 April each year. The rates below apply from 1 April 2025 through 31 March 2026.
Standard VED Rates (Years 2+ of Registration)
For cars registered on or after 1 April 2017:
| Fuel Type | Annual Rate | 6-Month Rate | Monthly (Direct Debit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol or diesel | £195 | £107.25 | £20.48 |
| Electric (zero emission) | £195 | £107.25 | £20.48 |
| Alternative fuel (e.g. LPG, bioethanol) | £185 | £101.75 | £19.43 |
| Hybrid (petrol/diesel + electric) | £195 | £107.25 | £20.48 |
The 5% monthly surcharge increases the annual cost to £204.75 if paying by monthly Direct Debit.
The expensive car supplement (ECS)
If your car had a list price over £40,000 when first registered (including options, delivery, and accessories), you pay an additional £425/yr from year 2 to year 6:
| Fuel Type | Year 2–6 Annual VED (list price >£40k) |
|---|---|
| Petrol or diesel | £195 + £425 = £620 |
| Electric | £195 + £425 = £620 |
| Alternative fuel | £185 + £425 = £610 |
After 6 years from first registration, the ECS drops away and you pay the standard rate (£195).
First-Year VED Rates for New Cars (2025/26)
When you buy a new car, the first year's VED is based on CO2 emissions (g/km) and charged at the point of registration. These rates are substantially higher for high-emission vehicles:
| CO2 Emissions (g/km) | Petrol/Diesel 1st Year | Alternative Fuel 1st Year | Zero Emission 1st Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (zero emission) | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| 1–50 | £110 | £100 | — |
| 51–75 | £130 | £120 | — |
| 76–90 | £270 | £260 | — |
| 91–100 | £350 | £340 | — |
| 101–110 | £390 | £380 | — |
| 111–130 | £440 | £430 | — |
| 131–150 | £540 | £530 | — |
| 151–170 | £1,360 | £1,350 | — |
| 171–190 | £2,190 | £2,180 | — |
| 191–225 | £3,300 | £3,290 | — |
| 226–255 | £4,680 | £4,670 | — |
| Over 255 | £5,490 | £5,480 | — |
Zero-emission cars continue to pay £0 in the first year — the ECS and standard rate only apply from year 2.
What this means for buyers
A new Tesla Model 3 (electric, list price £42,990):
- Year 1 VED: £0 (zero emission, first year)
- Years 2–6 VED: £195 + £425 = £620/yr (ECS applies as list price >£40k)
- Year 7+ VED: £195/yr (ECS drops off)
A new Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI (list price £29,000, 120 g/km CO2):
- Year 1 VED: £440
- Years 2+ VED: £195/yr (no ECS as under £40k)
A new Range Rover Sport (list price £75,000, 260 g/km CO2):
- Year 1 VED: £5,490
- Years 2–6 VED: £620/yr (ECS applies)
- Year 7+ VED: £195/yr
Cars Registered 1 March 2001 – 31 March 2017
These cars are taxed on CO2 bands established at registration. Rates for 2025/26:
| CO2 Band | Annual (Petrol/Diesel) | Annual (Alternative Fuel) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 g/km | £0 | £0 |
| 101–110 | £20 | £10 |
| 111–120 | £35 | £25 |
| 121–130 | £165 | £155 |
| 131–140 | £205 | £195 |
| 141–150 | £230 | £220 |
| 151–160 | £270 | £260 |
| 161–170 | £315 | £305 |
| 171–180 | £355 | £345 |
| 181–190 | £390 | £380 |
| 191–200 | £430 | £420 |
| 201–210 | £475 | £465 |
| 211–220 | £520 | £510 |
| Over 220 | £595 | £585 |
These bands are where older clean petrol/diesel cars (registered 2001–2017 with low CO2) can pay very low VED. A 2005 Toyota Prius (listed at under 100 g/km at registration) still pays £0 VED as of 2026.
Cars Registered Before 1 March 2001
Taxed on engine size only:
| Engine Size | Annual VED |
|---|---|
| Up to 1549cc | £200 |
| Over 1549cc | £325 |
Classic cars registered before 1 January 1979 are VED exempt from 1 April 2024 (rolling 40-year exemption — previously 1976 cutoff, updated each year). From April 2026, pre-1986 vehicles are exempt.
Electric Cars: The New VED Regime
Until 31 March 2025, electric vehicles were entirely exempt from VED — a policy that lasted from 2001. From 1 April 2025, EVs are brought into the same framework as petrol and diesel:
| EV Registration Date | VED Rate From April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Before 1 April 2017 | £20/yr |
| 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2025 (list under £40k) | £195/yr |
| 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2025 (list >£40k) | £620/yr (yr 2–5), £195 after |
| 1 April 2025+ (list under £40k) | £195/yr from yr 2; £0 in yr 1 |
| 1 April 2025+ (list >£40k) | £620/yr (yr 2–6), £195 after; £0 in yr 1 |
The EV exemption removal raises approximately £1.8 billion/yr for the Treasury. For existing EV owners, the shock is material: a Tesla Model Y owner paying £0 previously now pays £195–£620 annually.
Hybrid Cars
Hybrid vehicles (standard self-charging hybrids — not plug-in hybrids with significant electric range) are taxed at the standard rate (£195/yr) from April 2025. They previously received a £10 discount on most bands.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) with zero-emission range capability are taxed at £195/yr — the same as full electrics. Their first-year rate depends on their official CO2 figure: PHEVs often register at 1–50 g/km CO2 (£110 first year) due to their electric range.
Monthly vs Annual VED Payment
DVLA offers monthly Direct Debit for VED, but it costs 5% more:
| Annual VED | Annual cost | Monthly payment | Total if monthly | Extra annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £195 | £195 | £17.06 | £204.75 | £9.75 |
| £620 | £620 | £54.25 | £651.00 | £31.00 |
| £200 (pre-2001) | £200 | £17.50 | £210.00 | £10.00 |
Pay annually to avoid the surcharge unless cash flow genuinely requires monthly.
How to Check Your Car's Current VED
- DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service: enter your registration plate at gov.uk/check-vehicle-information
- DVLA reminder letters: sent approximately 2 months before VED expiry
- Auto Trader / HPI check: shows VED status when buying a used car
VED can now be renewed online, by phone (0300 123 4321), or at a Post Office. Physical tax discs were abolished in 2014.
SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)
If your vehicle is not being used on public roads, you can declare it SORN — which means no VED is required and you receive a refund on any remaining full months of VED paid.
SORN is free, takes effect immediately online. You must keep the car off the road (private land only). SORN ends automatically when the vehicle is taxed again.
VED and Buying a Used Car
VED no longer transfers between owners when a car is sold. From 2014:
- The seller gets a refund for remaining full months
- The buyer must immediately tax the car before driving
When you buy a used car, check its VED status on DVLA before driving away. Driving an untaxed car is an offence with a fixed penalty of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days) plus potential impoundment.
Summary: What You Pay in 2026
| Scenario | Annual VED |
|---|---|
| New petrol/diesel, under 130 g/km CO2, under £40k list | £195 (£440 in yr 1) |
| New electric, under £40k list | £195 (£0 in yr 1) |
| New electric or petrol, over £40k list | £620 (£0/varies yr 1, £195 from yr 7) |
| Pre-2017 registration, under 100 g/km CO2 | £0 |
| Pre-2017 registration, 131–150 g/km CO2 | £205 |
| Pre-2017 registration, over 220 g/km CO2 | £595 |
| Pre-2001, up to 1549cc | £200 |
| Pre-1986 (rolling classic exemption from Apr 2026) | £0 |
| Electric, registered pre-April 2017 | £20 |
Road tax is a small cost relative to insurance and fuel for most drivers — but EV owners who relied on the zero-VED benefit should factor the new £195–£620/yr cost into their total running cost comparison.
Frequently asked questions
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