Use this car tax calculator to work out the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), often called road tax, on a car registered in the UK since 1 April 2017. Enter the fuel type, CO2 emissions and list price to see the first year rate, the yearly standard rate and whether the expensive car supplement applies.
Your car tax (VED)
- First year rate
- –
- Standard rate a year
- –
- Expensive car supplement
- –
- Years 2 to 6 a year
- –
In the example, a petrol car with 120g/km CO2 and a £30,000 list price pays £455 in the first year, then £200 a year from year 2.
How to use the car tax calculator
- Choose the fuel type. Hybrids that are not fully electric use the petrol rates.
- Enter the CO2 figure from the V5C logbook or the manufacturer. It sets the first year rate.
- Enter the list price when new, including options. It decides the expensive car supplement.
- For diesels, say whether the car meets the RDE2 standard. Diesels that do not pay a higher first year rate.
Car tax rates for 2026/27
For cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017, the first year rate depends on CO2 emissions. After that, almost all cars pay the same standard rate. Full tables are on GOV.UK vehicle tax rates.
| CO2 emissions | First year rate |
|---|---|
| 0g/km | £10 |
| 1 to 50g/km | £115 |
| 51 to 75g/km | £135 |
| 76 to 90g/km | £280 |
| 91 to 100g/km | £365 |
| 101 to 110g/km | £405 |
| 111 to 130g/km | £455 |
| 131 to 150g/km | £560 |
| 151 to 170g/km | £1,410 |
| 171 to 190g/km | £2,270 |
| 191 to 225g/km | £3,420 |
| 226 to 255g/km | £4,850 |
| Over 255g/km | £5,690 |
Standard rate and expensive car supplement
- Standard rate: £200 a year from the second year, for petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars.
- Expensive car supplement: an extra £440 a year from year 2 to year 6 if the list price was over £40,000. For electric cars registered from April 2026, the threshold is £50,000.
So a £45,000 petrol car pays £640 a year for five years, then £200. A £45,000 electric car pays £200 a year with no supplement, because it is under the £50,000 threshold.
Road tax calculator for electric cars
Since 1 April 2025, electric cars pay car tax like other cars. New electric cars pay £10 in the first year and then the standard rate. The car tax calculator shows the supplement only when the list price is over the electric car threshold.
Older cars
Cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pay a yearly rate based on CO2 bands A to M, and cars registered before March 2001 pay based on engine size. This calculator covers cars registered from April 2017. For older cars, check the rate on your V11 reminder or GOV.UK.
How to pay car tax
You can tax a car online with the reference number from your V5C or V11 reminder, by phone or at a Post Office. You can pay in full, every 6 months (5% extra) or monthly by Direct Debit (5% extra). Car tax does not transfer when you buy a used car, so you must tax it before driving.
Related tax calculators
If you have a company car, use the company car tax calculator. To check the council tax on your home, try the council tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car tax a year?
Most cars registered since April 2017 pay £200 a year from the second year. Cars with a list price over £40,000 (£50,000 for electric cars) pay £640 a year from year 2 to year 6.
Is this a road tax calculator UK drivers can use for any car?
It is for cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017. Motorbikes, vans and older cars have different rates.
Does the list price include options?
Yes. The list price includes options fitted when the car was first registered, and VAT, but not delivery or the first registration fee.
Do hybrids pay less car tax?
No. Since April 2025 hybrids and other alternative fuel cars pay the same rates as petrol cars, both in the first year and from year 2.
About this calculator
This car tax calculator uses VED rates from 1 April 2026, checked against GOV.UK on 9 November 2026. It is a vehicle tax calculator for estimates; the DVLA confirms the exact rate when you tax the car.