What are the car tax rates for 2026/27?

For car owners and buyers who want to know how much vehicle tax they will pay.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

How much car tax you pay depends on when your car was first registered, and often on its CO2 emissions.

Cars registered from 1 April 2017: after the first year, most pay £200 a year in one payment.
The first payment for a new car is based on CO2 and ranges from £10 to £5,690.
Cars with a list price over £40,000 (over £50,000 for electric cars) pay an extra £440 a year for 5 years.
Cars registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 pay by CO2 band, from £20 to £790 a year.
Cars registered before 1 March 2001 pay by engine size: £230 or £375 a year.

Key facts

Standard rate: £200 a year
Over £40,000: £640 a year for 5 years
2001 to 2017 cars: £20 to £790
Pre 2001 cars: £230 or £375

Which rates apply to your car

There are three sets of rates. Which one you use depends on the date your car was first registered. You can find this date on your log book (V5C). The figures below are the current rates shown on GOV.UK for 2026/27.

Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017

Most of these cars pay the same standard rate after the first year, whatever their emissions.

Payment option	Standard rate	Car over £40,000 (with supplement)
Single 12 month payment	£200	£640
12 monthly Direct Debits (total)	£210	£672
Single 6 month payment	£110	£352
6 month Direct Debit	£105	£336

The extra amount for an expensive car is £440 a year. It applies if the list price was over £40,000, or over £50,000 for an electric car. You pay it for 5 years from the second tax payment. The £50,000 limit also covers electric cars registered between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Electric cars registered before 1 April 2025 do not pay it.

The first payment for a new car

The first payment covers 12 months and depends on CO2 emissions. Some examples:

CO2 (g/km)	Petrol, alternative fuel and RDE2 diesel	Other diesel
0	£10	£10
101 to 110	£405	£455
111 to 130	£455	£560
131 to 150	£560	£1,410
Over 255	£5,690	£5,690

RDE2 is a cleaner diesel standard. After the first payment, the standard rate above applies.

Cars registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017

These cars pay by CO2 band. Some examples:

Band	CO2 (g/km)	12 months	12 monthly Direct Debits (total)
A	Up to 100	£20	£21
C	111 to 120	£35	£36.75
E	131 to 140	£200	£210
G	151 to 165	£275	£288.75
M	Over 255	£790	£829.50

Cars registered before 1 March 2001

These pay by engine size: £230 a year for 1549cc or less, and £375 a year for anything bigger.

Worked examples

Example 1: A petrol car registered in 2024 with a list price of £28,000. You pay the standard rate of £200 a year. Paying monthly by Direct Debit costs £210 in total, which is £17.50 a month.

Example 2: A petrol car registered in 2023 with a list price of £45,000. The price is over £40,000, so you pay £640 a year (£200 plus £440) until the supplement ends after 5 years. Then you pay £200 a year.

Example 3: A 2012 diesel car with CO2 of 145g/km is in band F. You pay £225 for 12 months.

What changes the amount

Payment method: Direct Debit and 6 month payments cost more than one 12 month payment.
List price: cars over £40,000 (electric cars over £50,000) pay the supplement for 5 years.
Exemptions: some vehicles, such as those used by disabled people, can be tax free, but you still need to tax them.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Rates usually change every April.

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Tax your vehicle

Common questions

Do electric cars pay car tax?

Yes. Electric cars pay £10 for the first payment and then the standard rate of £200 a year, like other cars registered from April 2017.

Is it cheaper to pay car tax monthly?

No. Paying monthly by Direct Debit costs a little more: £210 over 12 months instead of £200 in one go, for the standard rate.

What is the expensive car supplement?

It is an extra £440 a year for 5 years if your car had a list price over £40,000, or over £50,000 for an electric car. It starts from the second tax payment.

Official sources

1.Vehicle tax rates: cars registered on or after 1 April 2017 (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables
2.Vehicle tax rates: cars registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-registered-on-or-after-1-march-2001
3.Vehicle tax rates: cars registered before 1 March 2001 (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-and-light-goods-vehicles-registered-before-1-march-2001

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

Ask about your situation

Please don't include your name, address, National Insurance number or health details. See our privacy notice.