How to use the car tax calculator
- 1 Choose when the car was first registered: from April 2017, between March 2001 and March 2017, or before March 2001.
- 2 Choose the fuel type and enter the CO2 emissions from the V5C logbook.
- 3 Choose which tax payment it is and enter the list price when new.
- 4 Read the 12-month cost and compare the 6-month and monthly Direct Debit options.
Worked example
A petrol car first registered in 2019, 128 g/km, list price £32,000. It pays the standard rate of £200 for 12 months, or £110 for 6 months, or £17.50 a month by Direct Debit. The same car with a £45,000 list price, in years two to six, pays £200 plus the £440 supplement: £640 a year. A brand new 128 g/km petrol car pays a first-year rate of £455.
Paying less car tax
- Watch the £40,000 line: options push the list price over the limit, adding £440 a year for five years.
- Pay yearly: monthly Direct Debit costs 5% more than paying 12 months at once.
- Check before buying: the CO2 figure on the V5C decides older cars' band.
- Electric cars: £10 first year, then £200; the supplement only starts above £50,000 for EVs registered from April 2025.
Budget the whole cost of a car with the Car Finance Calculator and the Fuel Cost Calculator, or compare charging with the EV Charging Cost Calculator.
Features
Every registration era
First-year rates, the standard rate, bands A to M and pre-2001 engine-size rates.
Expensive car supplement
Adds the £440 supplement in years two to six when the list price is over the limit.
Payment options
12 months, 6 months or monthly Direct Debit with the 5% extra.
When to use it
Buying a used car
Check the yearly tax before you buy. For the finance cost, use the Car Finance Calculator.
Choosing a new car
Compare the first-year rate of a petrol, diesel or electric model. For running costs, see the Fuel Cost Calculator.
Electric cars
See what an EV pays now that electric cars are no longer exempt. Compare charging costs with the EV Charging Cost Calculator.
Company and personal budgets
Add road tax to your yearly motoring budget alongside insurance and fuel.
Related Home and Auto tasks
Frequently asked questions
How much is car tax in 2026/27?
Most cars registered from 1 April 2017 pay the standard rate of £200 a year from their second tax payment. Cars with a list price over £40,000 pay £440 more a year for five years, making £640. Older cars pay by CO2 band, from £20 to £790.
Do electric cars pay road tax now?
Yes. Since April 2025 electric cars pay VED. A new electric car pays £10 in its first year, then the £200 standard rate. Electric cars registered from 1 April 2025 only pay the expensive car supplement if the list price is over £50,000.
What is the expensive car supplement?
An extra £440 a year (2026/27) for cars registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000, paid from the second to the sixth tax payment. The list price is the price when new, including options, even if you bought the car used for less.
Where do I find my car's CO2 emissions?
On the V5C registration certificate (logbook), in section V.7. You can also check the vehicle on the GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service.
Why is the first-year rate so high for some cars?
The first tax payment for new cars registered from April 2017 depends on CO2 emissions, from £10 for zero emission cars to £5,690 for cars over 255 g/km. Dealers usually include it in the on-the-road price.
What is an RDE2 diesel?
A diesel car that meets the Real Driving Emissions 2 standard. RDE2 diesels pay the same first-year rate as petrol cars; other diesels pay one band higher. Most diesels registered from about 2019 meet RDE2.
Is it cheaper to pay car tax monthly?
No. Paying by monthly or six-monthly Direct Debit costs 5% more than paying 12 months at once, and a single 6-month payment costs 55% of the yearly rate.
How much tax do cars registered before 2001 pay?
Cars registered before 1 March 2001 pay by engine size: £230 a year up to 1,549cc and £375 above. Cars over 40 years old can be exempt as historic vehicles.
Will car tax go up next year?
VED rates usually rise with inflation each April. The government has also announced an electric vehicle mileage charge planned from April 2028.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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