What are the DVLA road tax (VED) changes in 2026?

From April 2026, the DVLA standard rate for petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars registered after April 2017 is £200 per year. Electric vehicles (EVs) are fully aligned with standard rate VED, paying £10 in the first year and £200 per year from year two onwards.

What is the Expensive Car Supplement threshold in 2026?

Vehicles with a list price exceeding £40,000 (£50,000 for electric vehicles) pay an additional £440 Expensive Car Supplement annually for 5 years, starting from the second year after registration.

Do electric cars pay road tax in the UK?

Yes. Zero-emission electric vehicles pay £10 first-year VED, followed by the standard rate of £200 per year from the second year onwards. EVs with a list price over £50,000 also incur the £440 expensive car supplement.

What happens to DVLA road tax when selling a car?

Road tax does NOT transfer to the new owner. When you sell a vehicle, DVLA automatically cancels the tax and issues a refund for any full remaining calendar months. The buyer must retax the vehicle immediately before driving.

What is the penalty for driving an untaxed car in the UK?

Driving or keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road incurs an automatic £80 DVLA fine (halved to £40 if paid within 28 days), back-tax payments, potential wheel clamping (£100 release fee), and court prosecution with fines up to £1,000.

What are the DVLA road tax (VED) changes in 2026?

From April 2026, the DVLA standard rate for petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars registered after April 2017 is £200 per year. Electric vehicles (EVs) are fully aligned with standard rate VED, paying £10 in the first year and £200 per year from year two onwards.

What is the Expensive Car Supplement threshold in 2026?

Vehicles with a list price exceeding £40,000 (£50,000 for electric vehicles) pay an additional £440 Expensive Car Supplement annually for 5 years, starting from the second year after registration.

Do electric cars pay road tax in the UK?

Yes. Zero-emission electric vehicles pay £10 first-year VED, followed by the standard rate of £200 per year from the second year onwards. EVs with a list price over £50,000 also incur the £440 expensive car supplement.

What happens to DVLA road tax when selling a car?

Road tax does NOT transfer to the new owner. When you sell a vehicle, DVLA automatically cancels the tax and issues a refund for any full remaining calendar months. The buyer must retax the vehicle immediately before driving.

What is the penalty for driving an untaxed car in the UK?

Driving or keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road incurs an automatic £80 DVLA fine (halved to £40 if paid within 28 days), back-tax payments, potential wheel clamping (£100 release fee), and court prosecution with fines up to £1,000.

Home/Uk/Dvla Road Tax Ved Calculator 2026

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DVLA Road Tax (VED) Rates & Calculator 2026

Complete guide and calculator for UK Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Calculate exact annual tax payable for petrol, diesel, hybrid, and zero-emission electric vehicles under updated DVLA 2026 tax bands, first-year emissions charges, and the £440 Expensive Car Supplement.

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DVLA VED Road Tax Calculator 2026

Estimate first-year and standard annual road tax rates

Fuel & Powertrain Type

Vehicle Registration Period

Original Manufacturer List Price (£)

Includes optional extras, delivery & VAT before discounts

Calculated Road Tax Breakdown:

First Year Rate (Year 1)

£200

Included in On-The-Road Price

Standard Annual Rate (Year 2 onwards)

£640

£200 base + £440 supplement

Expensive Car Supplement Triggered: Because the list price exceeds £40,000, an additional annual charge of £440 applies for 5 years (Years 2 to 6).

Comprehensive Guide to DVLA Road Tax Rules 2026

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and is legally mandatory for all motor vehicles driven or parked on public roads in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

1. Standard Rate (Vehicles Registered After April 2017)

From Year 2 onwards, all petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric cars pay a uniform standard rate unless subject to list price supplements.

Vehicle Type	Standard Annual Rate (2026)	Notes
Petrol & Diesel	£200 / year	Standard annual rate
Hybrid (PHEV / HEV)	£200 / year	Alternative fuel discount removed
Electric Vehicles (EV)	£200 / year	Aligned with standard rate (previously £0)

2. Expensive Car Supplement Thresholds

Vehicles with a high original list price incur an extra annual charge payable from the 2nd to 6th year of registration.

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) & Hybrids: List price over £40,000 triggers a £440/year supplement (Total: £640/year).
Electric Vehicles (EVs): List price over £50,000 triggers a £440/year supplement (Total: £640/year).

3. First-Year Rates Based on CO2 Emissions (2026 New Registrations)

CO2 Emissions Band (g/km)	First-Year Rate (2026)
0 g/km (Zero Emission EV)	£10
1 - 50 g/km	£110
51 - 75 g/km	£135
76 - 90 g/km	£165
91 - 100 g/km	£195
101 - 110 g/km	£220
111 - 130 g/km	£255
131 - 150 g/km	£605
151 - 170 g/km	£1,040
171 - 190 g/km	£1,565
Over 255 g/km	£2,745

4. SORN Declarations & Payment Options

If your car is parked off-road (in a private garage or driveway) and will not be driven on public highways, you can declare SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) to pause your VED payments immediately. Payment options include annual one-off payment, 6-month payment, or automatic monthly Direct Debit (which incurs a small 5% administrative surcharge).

Frequently Asked Questions

You can pay road tax online via the official GOV.UK portal using your vehicle logbook (V5C) 11-digit reference number, or V62 / V11 reminder letter. Payments can be made in full annually, 6-monthly, or via Direct Debit.

Driving or keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road results in an automatic DVLA penalty fine of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days), plus court prosecution and vehicle clamping. If your vehicle is off-road, you must declare SORN.

Drivers receiving higher-rate PIP mobility, Higher Rate DLA, or Armed Forces Independence Payment can claim 100% exemption from VED. A 50% discount applies for standard-rate PIP mobility recipients.

No. Road tax is automatically cancelled when a vehicle is sold or transferred. The buyer must retax the vehicle online before driving away, and DVLA refunds remaining tax months to the seller.