Owning, buying, or selling a vehicle in the UK comes with some costs and expenses. One of which is the car tax. Ever wondered what tax band your car falls under in the UK? Having an idea of the car tax band prepares car owners and buyers for ownership costs and helps in proper budgeting.
What tax band is my car by reg? Find out now with our guide to car tax!
What is Vehicle Tax?
Vehicle tax, also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or simply car tax, is a mandatory payment imposed by the government for owning and using a vehicle on public roads in the United Kingdom. This tax is collected as a form of revenue for the government and is utilized for maintaining and improving the road infrastructure across the country.
So, how is it calculated? The amount of car tax you will pay depends on several factors including the year and month the car was first registered, the car’s fuel type, and CO2 emissions.
Another factor is inflation. Yes, inflation can cause the car road tax rates to be adjusted by the government. That’s a lot of info to take in right? We will explain further in other sections.
What is Vehicle Tax?
Vehicle tax, also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or simply car tax, is a mandatory payment imposed by the government for owning and using a vehicle on public roads in the United Kingdom. This tax is collected as a form of revenue for the government and is utilized for maintaining and improving the road infrastructure across the country.
So, how is it calculated? The amount of car tax you will pay depends on several factors including the year and month the car was first registered, the car’s fuel type, and CO2 emissions.
Another factor is inflation. Yes, inflation can cause the car road tax rates to be adjusted by the government. That’s a lot of info to take in right? We will explain further in other sections.
UK Car Tax Bands Explained
Just like I mentioned before, vehicle tax bands depend on when the vehicle was first registered, engine size, fuel type, emissions, and sometimes, the government. For most cars, the tax rate should be £190 but you may pay a higher or lower tax rate based on when your car was registered.
Since 1 March 2001 and April 2017, car tax bands are primarily determined by a car’s CO2 emissions. The lower the emissions, the lower the tax band and the amount you pay.
Checking Car Tax: What Tax Band Is My Car By Reg?
The easiest way to check the tax band of any car by reg number is using our car reg check tool. With our tool, car owners, buyers, and sellers can check the tax band/tax rate of any used/registered car within a few seconds.
Here is a good example; We checked a 2019 KIA SPORTAGE and these are the tax records we were able to provide using the car reg number only:
We also ran a car tax check on a 2011 VAUXHALL COMBO and these are the tax records we were able to provide using the car reg number only:
To check the tax band of any car by reg, all you need to do is follow these steps:
- Locate the registration number from the license plate.
- Enter your vehicle registration to check the vehicle tax rates.
- Fill out the form and click on “Check Vehicle.”
- Receive your detailed car history report.
The detailed report will show you the specifications and history of the vehicle you are interested in, as well as the car tax rate using our car tax calculator.
How much is my car tax? Checking Current Car Tax Bands
You can also check the current car tax bands of any vehicle if you know when the vehicle was registered and its CO2 emissions in g/km. There are some additional points to consider regarding tax bands:
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Zero-Emission Cars: These fall into Band A (currently exempt from tax) but may be subject to a small charge from 2025 onwards.
- Older Cars (Pre-April 2001): These are taxed based on engine size, with larger engines incurring a higher vehicle tax rate.
Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
Usually, it is mandatory to pay tax when the vehicle is first registered. This initial payment covers for 12 months. After that payment, you’ll need to pay every 6 or 12 months at a different rate.
If you have a diesel car that doesn’t meet the Real Driving Emissions 2 (RDE2), you will have to pay a higher rate. Here’s a table to guide you through the 13 bands:
Cars registered from April 1st, 2017 – Second Year
Note that cars with listing prices above £40,000 pay a £410 annual supplement for five years from the second year of registration but electric cars are exempt from this.
Cars registered from March 2001
For cars registered between March 2001 and April 2017, there are slightly different rates divided into 13 bands. For example, if your car falls into this category and your car releases less than 100g/km of emissions, you may not need to pay car tax.
Petrol and Diesel cars registered from March 2001
Driving a petrol or diesel car registered from March 2001, you can verify how your vehicle is taxed here:
Alternative fuel cars registered from March 2001
Cars and vans registered before March 2001
Motorhomes weighing 3.5 tonnes or less
Motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 tonnes
To check the tax band of any car by reg, all you need to do is follow these steps:
Locate the registration number from the license plate.
Enter your vehicle registration to check the vehicle tax rates.
Fill out the form and click on “Check Vehicle.”
Receive your detailed car history report.
The detailed report will show you the specifications and history of the vehicle you are interested in, as well as the car tax rate using our car tax calculator.
How much is my car tax? Checking Current Car Tax Bands
You can also check the current car tax bands of any vehicle if you know when the vehicle was registered and its CO2 emissions in g/km. There are some additional points to consider regarding tax bands:
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Zero-Emission Cars: These fall into Band A (currently exempt from tax) but may be subject to a small charge from 2025 onwards.
- Older Cars (Pre-April 2001): These are taxed based on engine size, with larger engines incurring a higher vehicle tax rate.
Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
Usually, it is mandatory to pay tax when the vehicle is first registered. This initial payment covers for 12 months. After that payment, you’ll need to pay every 6 or 12 months at a different rate.
If you have a diesel car that doesn’t meet the Real Driving Emissions 2 (RDE2), you will have to pay a higher rate. Here’s a table to guide you through the 13 bands:
Cars registered from April 1st, 2017 – Second Year
Note that cars with listing prices above £40,000 pay a £410 annual supplement for five years from the second year of registration but electric cars are exempt from this.
Cars registered from March 2001
For cars registered between March 2001 and April 2017, there are slightly different rates divided into 13 bands. For example, if your car falls into this category and your car releases less than 100g/km of emissions, you may not need to pay car tax.
Petrol and Diesel cars registered from March 2001
Driving a petrol or diesel car registered from March 2001, you can verify how your vehicle is taxed here:
Alternative fuel cars registered from March 2001
Cars and vans registered before March 2001
Motorhomes weighing 3.5 tonnes or less
Motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 tonnes
Why do I need to pay tax?
Earlier we talked about Vehicle Excise Duty and explained what it is – a tax for using a vehicle on the UK roads. So, why is it necessary to pay?
Taxes are the primary way governments raise money. This money is then used to fund a wide range of essential public services and infrastructure that benefit everyone. Road tax may not be used for the roads specifically. They may be used to fund social programs, schools, healthcare, and more.
Exemptions and Free Car Tax Bands: Who is exempt from paying tax?
Looking for tax exemptions? Here are a few vehicles that are currently exempt from vehicle tax. Remember, however, that you shouldn’t be found driving an untaxed vehicle and would have to apply for car tax exemptions:
- Electric vehicles with zero emissions
- Mowing machines
- Agricultural vehicles
- Historic vehicles (at least 40 years old)
- Disabled passenger vehicles
- Mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs and invalid carriages
- Steam vehicles
If you want to be sure if your vehicle is exempt from tax costs, you can use our car check tool. Remember that you also need to tax your vehicle, even if you don’t have to pay anything. This allows you to meet the legal requirements for drivers to use the UK roads.
Car Tax Rates and Payment Procedures
Now that you understand the car tax rates, how do you pay tax? You can choose to pay online or at the post office.
To pay tax online, you need to make sure that you have the following documents ready:
A vehicle log book (V5C) registered in your name
A recent V11 reminder or “last chance” warning letter from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
The green “New Keeper” slip, if your vehicle was recently purchased.
If you have all these documents, the next step would be to visit the gov.uk portal, navigate to the road tax section, and follow the instructions to pay with your credit card or Direct Debit. You can always track your vehicle’s tax status and due date with our road tax check tool.
To pay tax at the post office, all you need to do is visit your local post office and go with the documents listed above. The DVLA V11 reminder, the green “new keeper” slip from a logbook, and a valid MOT test certificate.
Don’t forget to go with cash or a debit card for payment. You can also pay via Direct Debit.
In conclusion, by understanding how car tax works, checking your vehicle’s tax band, and staying informed about tax regulations, you can ensure compliance with the law and avoid unnecessary penalties.
