UK Road Tax Calculator (VED)
Use this calculator to estimate annual UK car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty). It accounts for registration date rules, CO2 emissions, engine size (for older cars), and the expensive car supplement.
Important: This is an estimate for guidance and planning. Official tax due can vary by exact DVLA classification and annual budget updates.
What is UK road tax?
In the UK, “road tax” is usually called Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). The amount you pay each year depends mainly on:
- When the car was first registered
- CO2 emissions (for many vehicles)
- Engine size (for some older vehicles)
- Whether the car’s list price was over £40,000
- The ownership year you’re in (first year vs later years)
Because the rules changed several times, the registration date matters a lot. Two cars with similar emissions can still have very different annual tax bills if they were registered in different eras.
How this road tax calculator works
1) Cars registered before 1 March 2001
For this group, the calculator uses the classic engine-size split:
- Up to 1549cc
- Over 1549cc
2) Cars registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017
These cars are typically taxed under CO2 bands (A to M). Lower-emission bands generally pay less.
3) Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
These vehicles usually follow:
- A first-year rate based on CO2
- A standard annual rate from year 2 onward
- An expensive car supplement for years 2–6 if list price was above £40,000
Illustrative VED reference bands used in this tool
The calculator uses common UK band logic and rounded 2025/26-style values for planning purposes.
Post-2017 first-year CO2 bands (illustrative)
| CO2 emissions (g/km) | Estimated first-year tax |
|---|---|
| 0 | £10 |
| 1–50 | £110 |
| 51–75 | £130 |
| 76–90 | £270 |
| 91–100 | £350 |
| 101–110 | £390 |
| 111–130 | £440 |
| 131–150 | £540 |
| 151–170 | £1,360 |
| 171–190 | £2,190 |
| 191–225 | £3,300 |
| 226–255 | £4,680 |
| Over 255 | £5,490 |
Ways to reduce your road tax cost
- Check CO2 before buying: Emissions can change first-year tax dramatically.
- Watch the £40,000 list price threshold: Even a small difference can trigger years of extra charges.
- Confirm exact DVLA details: Registration date and classification are key.
- Use annual planning: Include VED in total ownership cost, alongside insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
Example scenarios
Example A: 2014 petrol hatchback, 110 g/km
This usually falls into the 2001–2017 CO2-band system, often resulting in a relatively low annual rate compared with higher-emission vehicles.
Example B: 2024 SUV, 165 g/km, list price £46,000, year 3
This generally pays the post-2017 standard rate plus expensive car supplement in years 2–6.
Example C: 1999 car with 1400cc engine
This falls under the pre-2001 engine-size rule and is taxed by engine capacity rather than CO2 banding.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official DVLA calculator?
No. This tool is for educational and budgeting use. Always verify final amounts with official government services.
Does this include every vehicle class?
No. This page is focused on typical passenger cars and common VED logic. Some specialist vehicles and tax classes may differ.
Can rates change?
Yes. UK road tax rates are updated periodically, often around annual budget cycles. Re-check before you buy or renew.
Final note
If you are comparing cars, this calculator gives a quick estimate of likely annual road tax and monthly equivalent. It helps you move beyond headline purchase price and make smarter long-term ownership decisions.