How much will it cost to tax your car?

We reveal all the road tax prices, how the system works and what the exemptions are.

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How does the tax system work?

Cars registered after March 1, 2001 are placed into tax bands depending on how much CO2 they emit.

There are 13 bands, from tax-free band A to £405-per-year band M.

The 2009 Budget introduced an increase of £5 per tax band for 2009. From 2010 a maximum increase of £30 has been announced.

Cars which cost £3 a month to tax:

How much does it cost?

Check your vehicle handbook for your car’s CO2 emission figure and use the table to find out how much it’ll cost to tax.

*Bands L and M only affect cars registered after 23 March 2006. Cars registered before 23 March 2006 which emit more than 225g/km of CO2 fall into band K.

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What changes will be made in 2010?

If you buy a new car after April 1, 2010, you'll have to pay a first-year rate – or ‘showroom tax’ – based on CO2 emissions.

New cars which emit less than 130g/km of CO2 will be exempt from car tax for the first year, but more polluting cars will have higher fees. For example it’ll cost £950 to tax a vehicle which emits more than 255g/km for the first year, then £435 each year thereafter.

Prices will be revised for the 2010 rate to the following:

How much does it cost  to tax your car? Have your say on the Auto Trader Blog

Are there any exemptions for annual road tax?

Yes – the following are exempt from road tax:

• Any car which emits less than 100g/km of CO2 (band A vehicles)
• Electric cars
• Motorists who declare Statutory Off Road Notification, or SORN – if your car won’t be used or parked on a public road for a year
• Disabled drivers with exemption certificate DLA404
• Motorists who receive the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement and have a WPA442 form
• Vehicles registered before January 1, 1973

What if my car was registered before March 1, 2001?

Cars registered between January 1, 1973 and March 1, 2001 have their tax calculated according to engine size:

• Cars under 1549cc cost £125 per year
• Cars over 1549cc cost £190 per year (£205 from 2010)

More FAQs

Q: Do alternative fuel vehicles receive a discount?
A: Yes, £20 if the car falls between bands A-I, or £15 for bands J-M. From April 2010 this discount will drop to £10 for all bands.

Q: How do I apply for tax?
A: Visit the DVLA’s tax disc website and follow the instructions or call 0845 850 4444.

Q: What if I forget to renew my current tax disc?
A: A V11 reminder form will be sent out to you three weeks before the expiry date.

Q: Can my tax band change?
A: Yes. Your car’s tax band may change if any modification or fuel type alterations are made. This will require a tax disc exchange – ask for a V70 form from the DVLA.

Q: Is it cheaper to buy a six-month or twelve-month tax disc?
A: 12-month tax discs are slightly cheaper. View our money-saving tax tip for more information.

Q: What happens if I move house or change my landline phone number?
A: Contact the DVLA and inform them of any change to personal information.

Q: I’ve lost my tax disc! What should I do?
A: If your disc is misplaced, damaged or faded, fill in a V20 DVLA form for a replacement.