Tax and ownership costs
How Much Is My Car Tax? Check UK Road Tax by Registration
Vehicle tax, car tax and road tax are the same DVLA charge. Here is how to find your exact amount from the number plate, what changes the figure in 2026/27, and when a used car becomes untaxed.
TL;DR: How much is my car tax?
Check how much road tax by registration
If you are asking "how much is my car tax by reg", you need the vehicle's official DVLA record, not a guess from make and model alone. Two cars that look identical can sit in different VED rules if they were registered in different tax eras.
- Enter the UK number plate into Caroat's free car tax calculator.
- Confirm the make, model, fuel type and CO2 figure match the car in front of you.
- Read the live tax status: Taxed, Untaxed or SORN.
- Check the 12 month and 6 month figures for that registration.
Vehicle tax, car tax and road tax mean the same thing
Search results mix three everyday names for one charge:
- Vehicle tax is the wording DVLA and GOV.UK use most often.
- Car tax is how most drivers ask the question.
- Road tax is the older phrase that still dominates Google searches.
The legal name is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). When Caroat or GOV.UK show a rate for your registration, that is VED for that car, not company car Benefit in Kind tax and not VAT on the purchase price.
What sets your vehicle tax bill
UK road tax is not a flat fee for every car. The main inputs are:
What changes how much car tax you pay
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| First registration date | Puts the car into the engine-size, CO2-band, or post-2017 flat-rate system |
| CO2 emissions | Sets first-year rates for newer cars and the band for many 2001 to 2017 cars |
| Engine size | Sets the rate for many pre-March 2001 cars |
| Fuel type | Affects first-year diesel rules and alternative-fuel treatment |
| Original list price | Can trigger the expensive car supplement for five years |
| Payment choice | Annual, 6 month or monthly Direct Debit change the cash you pay now |
For the full band tables and era rules, use the deeper UK road tax calculator guide. Electric car owners should also read the EV road tax rates guide.
Typical 2026/27 amounts
These figures help you estimate before you look up a plate. Always confirm against the live record for that registration.
Common UK vehicle tax amounts from year two (cars registered from 1 April 2017)
| Situation | 12 month payment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard petrol, diesel or EV | £200 | Most common post-2017 rate in 2026/27 |
| Standard rate with expensive car supplement | £640 | £200 plus £440 for five years of the supplement |
| Monthly Direct Debit (standard) | £210 total across 12 months | Costs a little more than paying once |
| 6 month payment (standard) | £110 | Useful if you may sell within the year |
Cars registered before April 2017 can be far cheaper or far dearer than £200, depending on CO2 band or engine size. That is why "how much is my car tax" almost always needs the registration, not a national average.
Tax status vs tax rate
Drivers often mix two different answers:
- Tax status answers "is this car taxed right now?" Possible answers include Taxed, Untaxed and SORN.
- Tax rate answers "how much will it cost to tax?" That is the VED figure for the next payment period.
A car can show as Taxed today and still have a high annual rate when it renews. A car can show as Untaxed and still be cheap to tax once you pay. Before a viewing or deposit, check both.
Buying or selling a car: road tax does not transfer
Since October 2014, leftover vehicle tax does not stay with the car.
- Seller: when DVLA records the sale, remaining full months are refunded to the registered keeper.
- Buyer: the car is untaxed from the change of keeper. Tax it before you drive on a public road, even if the advert says "taxed for 6 months".
If someone else is paying for you, the payment can still go through. Legal duty stays with the registered keeper. See whose name car tax can be paid in.
SORN, unpaid tax and common mistakes
- SORN means the car is declared off the road. You do not pay road tax while the SORN is valid, but you must tax it before using public roads again.
- No MOT can block online tax for cars that need one. Fix the MOT first, then tax.
- Advert claims about months of tax left are not a transfer. Always re-check the plate yourself.
- Wrong car identity is a red flag. If the calculator returns a different make, model or fuel type from the car you are viewing, stop and investigate before paying.
Free car tax calculator
To answer "how much is my car tax" for a real UK plate, run the free check. You get the official-facing status and the current cost options without creating an account.
Sources
- Vehicle tax rates for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017GOV.UK / DVLA
- Check if a vehicle is taxedGOV.UK / DVLA
- Vehicle tax rates (V149)GOV.UK / DVLA
- Tax your vehicleGOV.UK / DVLA
FAQ
How much is my car tax in the UK?
It depends on when the car was first registered, its CO2 figure or engine size, fuel type, and whether the original list price triggers the expensive car supplement. For most cars first registered from 1 April 2017, the standard annual rate from year two is £200 in 2026/27. The exact figure for your plate is on Caroat's free car tax calculator or GOV.UK.
How do I check how much road tax I pay by registration?
Enter the number plate into Caroat's free car tax calculator. It reads the official DVLA record and returns the live tax status, due date, and the 12 month and 6 month figures for that vehicle.
Is vehicle tax the same as car tax and road tax?
Yes. In everyday UK English, vehicle tax, car tax and road tax all mean Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), the DVLA charge for keeping a vehicle taxed for public roads.
Does car tax transfer when I buy a used car?
No. Since 2014, remaining tax does not transfer with the car. When the seller notifies DVLA of the sale, leftover full months are refunded to them, and the buyer must tax the car before driving it.
How much is road tax if the car is on SORN?
A valid SORN means the vehicle is declared off the road, so you do not pay vehicle tax while the SORN stays in force. You must tax it again before using it on a public road.
Can I pay car tax monthly?
Yes, for most cars. DVLA offers a 12 month payment, a 6 month payment, or monthly Direct Debit. Monthly Direct Debit usually costs a little more overall because of the standard surcharge.