What are the 2025 VED rates and bands for UK cars?
The 2025 road tax changes have reshaped what drivers pay, with electric vehicles losing their long-standing exemption and the first-year rate structure tightening across the board. Understanding how Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) affects your car now depends on its registration date, CO₂ emissions, and list price.
The UK’s VED system uses these factors to determine both the first-year rate and the standard annual charge. While the official rate tables published by GOV.UK provide the definitive figures, knowing which band applies to your vehicle can save you from unexpected bills.
This guide explains the 2025 rates, the key changes that took effect from 1 April 2025, and how to check your exact car tax using the official DVLA service. It also covers what to expect in 2026. If you’re concerned about other driving requirements, the New DVLA Rules UK Drivers – Eyesight Tests and Renewals Explained covers what you need to know.
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Key insights at a glance
- From April 2025, electric cars pay road tax for the first time (lowest rate £10 first year, then standard rate).
- Petrol and diesel cars under 100g/km CO₂ lose the free road tax benefit and now pay a reduced rate of £20.
- First-year VED rates remain based on CO₂; subsequent years use a flat rate plus supplement for expensive cars.
- The DVLA calculator is the only official source for exact car tax based on registration.
- The standard annual rate for most cars is £195 for 2025/26.
- The expensive car supplement applies to cars over £40,000 (non-EV) or £50,000 (EV) for years 2-6.
- Older cars (registered between March 2001 and April 2017) are still taxed by the banded system.
Snapshot of 2025 road tax facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective date | 1 April 2025 |
| Electric cars first-year rate | £10 (previously £0) |
| Petrol/diesel under 100g/km first-year rate | £20 (previously £0) |
| Standard annual rate for most cars | £195 (unchanged from 2024/25) |
| Expensive car supplement (over £40k non-EV) | £410 per year for years 2-6 |
| Electric car expensive car supplement threshold | £50,000 from April 2025 |
| Official calculator | gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax |
2025 VED rate table summary
For cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017, the first-year rate varies by CO₂ emissions. The standard annual rate for most cars from year two onward is £195 in 2025/26, according to multiple guides including Compare the Market and webuyanycar.
| CO₂ emissions | First-year rate (2025/26) | Standard rate (year 2+) |
|---|---|---|
| 0g/km | £10 | £195 |
| 1-50g/km | £115 | £195 |
| 51-75g/km | £135 | £195 |
| 76-90g/km | £280 | £195 |
| 91-100g/km | £365 | £195 |
| 101-110g/km | £405 | £195 |
| 111-130g/km | £455 | £195 |
| 131-150g/km | £560 | £195 |
| 151-170g/km | £1,410 | £195 |
| 171-190g/km | £2,270 | £195 |
| 191-225g/km | £3,420 | £195 |
| 226-255g/km | £4,850 | £195 |
| Over 255g/km | £5,690 | £195 |
How are VED bands calculated based on CO₂ and fuel type?
VED for cars registered after April 2017 uses CO₂ emissions to determine the first-year rate. After year one, most cars move to the standard flat rate. The RAC’s guide explains that fuel type does not directly change the band—CO₂ is the primary factor—but electric vehicles have a separate first-year rate of £10 for zero-emission cars.
For older cars (registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017), the system uses 13 bands (A to M) based on CO₂. The lowest band (up to 100g/km) now costs £20, as confirmed by the RAC. Cars over 255g/km pay up to £790 per year. There is some variation in secondary-source tables, so the official GOV.UK tables should be treated as the final authority.
How did the 2025 VED changes affect car tax costs?
The most significant shift was the end of the zero-rate first-year VED for electric vehicles and for petrol and diesel cars under 100g/km CO₂. From 1 April 2025, both groups must pay at least £20 in the first year. The standard annual rate remained at £195 for 2025/26.
Why did electric cars lose free road tax in 2025?
The government phased out the EV exemption to compensate for lost fuel duty revenue as the electric vehicle fleet grows. According to Compare the Market, new EVs registered from 1 April 2025 pay VED from the first year, using the lowest first-year rate path (£10 for 0g/km) and then the standard rate afterward. EVs first registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025 move onto the standard rate when their exemption ends.
If you bought an electric car between 2017 and March 2025, you will start paying the standard £195 annual rate after your current exemption ends. New EVs bought from April 2025 pay £10 in year one, then £195 from year two.
How much more will you pay for a petrol or diesel car in 2025?
For petrol and diesel cars with CO₂ emissions under 100g/km, the first-year rate rose from £0 to £20. For most other cars, the first-year rate remained unchanged, and the standard annual rate stayed at £195. The RAC notes that cars under 100g/km no longer qualify for free road tax, meaning the lowest band now costs £20.
Diesel cars typically emit more CO₂ than equivalent petrol models, placing them in higher first-year bands. However, the system does not apply a diesel surcharge beyond CO₂-based calculations. The key difference is the band itself, not the fuel type.
How to use the 2025 road tax calculator to check your car tax
Checking your car tax for 2025 is straightforward using the DVLA’s official online service. You only need your vehicle’s registration number.
Step-by-step: Checking your car tax by registration
- Visit the official DVLA vehicle tax checker at gov.uk.
- Enter your vehicle’s registration number (number plate).
- Click “Continue” to see whether the vehicle is taxed, the tax rate band, and when tax is due.
- The result shows the current rate and the next renewal date.
Where to find the official DVLA car tax calculator
The only official DVLA car tax calculator is at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. Third-party tools such as GoCompare’s checker also let you enter a reg number and return tax/MOT status, but these are not the official source of the tax rate itself.
For understanding the rate structure, the official GOV.UK vehicle tax rate tables provide the definitive figures for all vehicle types. You can also find them in the April 2026 V149 tables published by the Government.
What about future changes? 2026 road tax preview
The 2026/27 rates have been published in the Government’s April 2026 V149 tables. The standard annual rate for most cars rises to £200 from April 2026, according to both the RAC’s 2026 guide and the official tables.
2026 VED bands and what they mean for your car
| CO₂ emissions | First-year rate (2026/27) | Standard rate (year 2+) |
|---|---|---|
| 0g/km | £10 | £200 |
| 1-50g/km | £115 | £200 |
| 51-75g/km | £135 | £200 |
| 76-90g/km | £280 | £200 |
| 91-100g/km | £365 | £200 |
| 101-110g/km | £405 | £200 |
| 111-130g/km | £455 | £200 |
| 131-150g/km | £560 | £200 |
| 151-170g/km | £1,410 | £200 |
| 171-190g/km | £2,270 | £200 |
| 191-225g/km | £3,420 | £200 |
| 226-255g/km | £4,850 | £200 |
| Over 255g/km | £5,690 | £200 |
The 2026 rates are confirmed in the official Government tables, but exact figures for specific vehicles may vary. Some secondary sources mention an additional direct debit surcharge. Always check the official GOV.UK tables for the final rate.
How to use the 2026 road tax calculator by reg
The same DVLA vehicle tax checker at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax shows your current tax rate. For 2026 rates, the official tables will update on April 1, 2026. Third-party calculators like GoCompare may also reflect the new rates after they take effect.
Road tax calculator near London and other UK cities
The DVLA calculator is a national online service that works from any location in the UK. There is no separate calculator for specific cities or regions. Whether you are in London, Manchester, or elsewhere, the same service applies.
Using the DVLA calculator from any location
The official service at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax is accessible from any internet-connected device. You do not need to visit a local DVLA office. The service is free and available 24/7.
Local resources for checking car tax in Manchester
In Manchester, as elsewhere, the DVLA calculator is the primary tool. Some local libraries and Post Offices may offer assistance with online services, but the check itself remains a national process. Third-party tools such as the GoCompare car tax checker can also be used from any location.
Timeline of key VED changes
- Pre-2025: Electric cars exempt from VED; cars under 100g/km CO₂ pay £0 first year.
- 1 April 2025: VED changes take effect—electric cars now pay £10 first year; cars under 100g/km pay £20 first year.
- 2025-2026: Transition period; standard annual rate remains £195.
- April 2026: Further VED band adjustments expected; standard rate rises to £200.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| VED changes for 2025 took effect 1 April 2025 (confirmed by GOV.UK) | 2026 rates are confirmed but some secondary sources show minor variations |
| Current rate tables are published on GOV.UK | Long-term VED structure for zero-emission vehicles beyond 2025 is under review |
| Electric cars now pay at least £10 first year | Exact calculation for some imported or historic vehicles may require manual DVLA check |
Why did VED change in 2025?
The Government phased out the EV exemption to compensate for lost fuel duty revenue as the electric vehicle fleet grows. First-year rates remain CO₂-based to incentivize low-emission new cars. The changes primarily affect drivers of electric and low-emission petrol/diesel cars. Overall VED revenue is expected to increase, particularly from the growing EV fleet.
What do official sources say?
“Tables showing the rates for vehicle tax for different types of vehicle.”
— GOV.UK vehicle tax rate tables
“Since 2025 VED rule changes, cars with CO₂ emissions below 100g/km no longer qualify for free road tax. This means you now have to pay £20 a…”
What next for your road tax?
Monitor 2026 VED band adjustments (likely confirmed in the late 2025 Budget). Check your car tax renewal date—if it falls after April 2025, new rates apply. Use the official DVLA calculator to get exact figures for your vehicle. For broader financial planning, you may also find the Tax and National Insurance Calculator – UK Guide to Take-Home Pay helpful. And if you are concerned about other driving requirements, see the New DVLA Rules UK Drivers – Eyesight Tests and Renewals Explained.
Frequently asked questions
Will my existing car tax direct debit automatically update?
Yes, DVLA will adjust direct debits automatically based on the new rates. You should receive a notice before the change.
How is road tax calculated for motorcycles in 2025?
Motorcycle VED bands are based on engine size. Rates for 2025 are included in the official GOV.UK tables.
What if my car is more than 40 years old?
Historic vehicles (built before 1985 for most cars) may be exempt from VED. Check with DVLA.
Can I check my car tax for free?
Yes, the DVLA’s official check is free at gov.uk. Some third-party calculators may be free but less reliable.
What happens if I don’t pay my road tax?
You risk a penalty and your vehicle may be clamped or impounded. DVLA enforces continuous insurance and tax.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.