Car Tax Band Check
Starting April 1, 2024, the vehicle excise duty (VED) for most new and used cars, except the cleanest ones, is going up.
How much is vehicle tax increasing by?
These increases typically match inflation, following the Retail Price Index (RPI), and are projected to be around 6%.
For most drivers, both with new and older cars, expect the annual expenses to climb by around £5 to £10. However, those with new vehicles emitting the highest CO2 emissions will face a hefty £140 hike in the first year.
If you're considering switching for a car with lower vehicle tax, why not check out Regit's leasing deals.
Beginning April 1, 2024, only fully electric vehicles will remain exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), determined by the car's CO2 emissions.
The additional 'expensive car' VED applies to all cars except pure electric models in 2024, with plug-in hybrids not exempt.
If you purchase a new car costing over £40,000 from April 1, expect to shell out £390 per year for the following five years (totalling £1,950) on top of the standard VED rate.
After the initial year, petrol and diesel car owners registered post-April 1, 2017, face a flat £190 rate annually, while hybrid owners will pay £180.
First-year car tax rates for new cars from 1 April 2024
| CO2 emissions | First-year VED rate |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |
| 1-50 | £10 |
| 51-75 | £30 |
| 76-90 | £135 |
| 91-100 | £175 |
| 101-110 | £195 |
| 111-130 | £220 |
| 131-150 | £270 |
| 151-170 | £680 |
| 171-190 | £1095 |
| 191-225 | £1650 |
| 226-255 | £2340 |
| More than 255 | £2745 |
If your car was purchased prior to April 1, 2017, or if you're buying a used car registered before that date, your car tax amount hinges on its emissions. Here are the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for cars registered between March 1, 2001, and March 31, 2017.
Car tax rates for cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017
| VED band | CO2 emissions (g/km) | Annual rate |
| A | Up to 100 | £0 |
| B | 101-110 | £20 |
| C | 111-120 | £35 |
| D | 121-130 | £160 |
| E | 131-140 | £190 |
| F | 141-150 | £210 |
| G | 151-165 | £255 |
| H | 166-175 | £305 |
| I | 176-185 | £335 |
| J | 186-200 | £385 |
| K | 201-225 | £415 |
| L | 226-255 | £710 |
| M | More than 255 | £735 |
Do classic cars have to pay tax?
And if you have a classic car older than 40 years, you can avoid fees altogether by applying for a historic vehicle tax exemption.
To get tax exemption, you'll need to update your V5 registration document. Head over to the Post Office armed with your V5, proof of MOT or exemption (that's the V112 form), and in Northern Ireland, proof of insurance.
Once the DVLA gives the nod to your change request, you can claim back any road tax you've already paid. From then on, your tax reminders will cheerfully state a rate of £0. But don't toss those reminders aside – you still need to visit the DVLA website or pop into the Post Office to tax your car, even though there's no fee anymore. Ignoring this could land you with a fine ranging from £30 to £80.
Do electric cars have to pay tax?
Electric car owners remain exempt from VED charges until April next year.
As of April 1, 2025, announced in the 2022 Autumn Budget by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, electric vehicles will no longer enjoy exemption from VED. Here's what you need to know about the upcoming changes:
- New zero-emission cars registered on or after April 1, 2025, will be subject to the lowest first-year VED rate, currently set at £10 annually.
- From the second year onwards, these vehicles will be charged the standard rate, currently at £180 per year.
- Zero-emission cars registered between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2025, will also be subject to the standard rate.
- The Expensive Car Supplement exemption for electric vehicles will cease in 2025. New zero-emission cars registered after April 1, 2025, will therefore be subject to this supplement, which applies to vehicles with a list price exceeding £40,000 for a duration of five years.
- Zero and low emission cars originally registered between March 1, 2001, and March 30, 2017, currently in Band A, will move to the Band B rate, currently set at £20 annually.
- Zero-emission vans will be charged the rate applicable to petrol and diesel light goods vehicles, currently £290 per year for most vans.
- Zero-emission motorcycles and tricycles will be charged the rate applicable to the smallest engine size, currently £22 annually.
- Rates for Alternative Fuel Vehicles and hybrids will also be adjusted to ensure equalisation.
How do I know if my car is taxed?
You can use Regit's free tax check service to find out if your vehicle is taxed and when it's expiration date is so you know you're driving legally.