Know Your
Road Tax.
Estimate UK Vehicle Excise Duty using 2026–27 rates. Calculate first-year car tax, annual renewals, CO₂-based rates and expensive-car supplements.
Configure Your Vehicle
Rates for vehicle tax licences beginning in the 2026–27 tax year.
Check your vehicle’s V5C or official specification.
Original published price, not current resale value.
Used to determine whether the expensive-car supplement applies.
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Estimated Tax
Calculation Breakdown
One Vehicle. Several Tax Factors.
UK car tax depends on when the car was first registered, its emissions, its original list price and other qualifying circumstances.
Electric Vehicle Tax
Electric cars are no longer generally exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty. Their rates depend on registration date and the applicable tax rules.
CO₂ Emission Bands
New cars pay a first-year rate based on emissions. Many older vehicles continue to use annual CO₂-based bands.
Expensive Car Supplement
Qualifying higher-list-price cars can pay an additional annual charge during the second through sixth tax licence years.
New Car First-Year Tax Rates
First-year VED for cars first registered from 1 April 2026. Higher rates apply to diesel vehicles that do not meet RDE2 requirements.
| CO₂ (g/km) | Standard First-Year Rate | Non-RDE2 Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | £10 | — |
| 1–50 | £115 | £135 |
| 51–75 | £135 | £280 |
| 76–90 | £280 | £365 |
| 91–100 | £365 | £405 |
| 101–110 | £405 | £455 |
| 111–130 | £455 | £560 |
| 131–150 | £560 | £1,410 |
| 151–170 | £1,410 | £2,270 |
| 171–190 | £2,270 | £3,420 |
| 191–225 | £3,420 | £4,850 |
| 226–255 | £4,850 | £5,690 |
| Over 255 | £5,690 | £5,690 |
How UK Car Tax Works in 2026
What Is Vehicle Excise Duty?
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly called road tax or car tax, is a UK tax associated with keeping or using a vehicle on public roads. The amount payable depends on the vehicle’s classification, age and emissions rules.
How Much Is Standard Car Tax in 2026–27?
For most passenger cars registered on or after 1 April 2017, the standard annual rate is £200 for the 2026–27 tax year, before any applicable expensive-car supplement.
How Does First-Year Car Tax Work?
For new cars first registered from 1 April 2026, the first 12-month VED payment is based on CO₂ emissions. Rates start at £10 for zero-emission cars and rise for vehicles with higher emissions.
Do Electric Cars Pay Road Tax?
Yes. Since April 2025, electric vehicles have generally been subject to VED. A newly registered zero-emission car pays £10 in its first year under 2026–27 rates, followed by the applicable standard rate.
What Is the Expensive Car Supplement?
Qualifying cars with an original list price above the applicable threshold pay an extra £440 annually in the second through sixth tax licence years. The relevant price threshold depends on vehicle type and registration date.
How Is Tax Calculated for Older Cars?
Cars registered between March 2001 and March 2017 generally use annual CO₂-based bands. Cars registered before March 2001 generally use engine capacity, although historic-vehicle exemptions and other special rules can apply.
Can I Pay Car Tax Monthly?
DVLA offers certain Direct Debit payment options. Paying in instalments may cost more than the single annual payment, so the monthly figure displayed by this calculator is a budgeting equivalent, not a DVLA instalment quote.
Car Tax Calculator FAQs
How much is UK car tax in 2026?
The standard annual rate for most cars registered from April 2017 is £200 in 2026–27, before any expensive-car supplement.
Do electric cars pay vehicle tax?
Yes. Zero-emission vehicles became subject to VED from April 2025, with rates determined by registration date and vehicle classification.
What is the first-year tax on a new electric car?
Under the 2026–27 rules, the first-year rate for a newly registered zero-emission car is £10.
What is the expensive-car supplement?
It is an additional £440 annual charge for qualifying higher-list-price cars during the second through sixth tax licence years.
Is the supplement based on today’s car value?
No. It generally uses the vehicle’s original published list price before discounts, not its second-hand market value.
Does the calculator work for older vehicles?
Yes. It includes the general annual CO₂ bands for 2001–2017 registrations and engine-capacity rates for pre-March-2001 cars.
Does the calculator include insurance or fuel costs?
No. It calculates estimated VED only, not insurance, MOT, servicing, fuel or charging costs.
Is this an official DVLA calculator?
No. ToolZippy provides an independent estimate. Check your vehicle’s official DVLA tax details before payment.
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