Vehicle tax calculator

Using the car Parkers tax calculator is simple. It's also a great way to check the road tax on your own car or any other vehicle you're considering.

Simply choose your car's make and model from the dropdown menus above.

You can select the bodystyle and year of manufacture from the third dropdown menu. (Don't worry if the exact year isn't listed; as long as it falls within the range provided, it's fine.) )

Then, click the blue 'go to' button to be taken to a new page that displays a list of all the tax rates for all the models that fall into the categories you've chosen. If you're not sure what kind of car you have, you can find out by using our Car Valuation Tool, which allows you to enter your registration number and it will tell you what make, model, and year it is.

How is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) calculated?

There's a UK full guide to car tax (VED) on Parkers, as well as a car tax advice section, but briefly, the current car road tax rates are calculated on CO2 emissions and price; those between 2001 and 2017 are CO2 emissions only, while those older than 2001 have rated based on their engine capacity alone

There are 13 CO2 tax bands for new cars, each of which corresponds to a different level of emissions and the amount of car tax payable. The minimum list price is £40,000 or more. Cars registered after April 1, 2017 are subject to a 12-month First Year Rate (FYR) based on CO2 emissions.

Cars manufactured prior to March 2001 are classified into two groups based on engine capacity in cubic centimetres (cc). The difference between upper and lower is 1549cc. If you're unsure about your car's engine capacity, use Parkers' car specs pages to find out.

Looking for company car insurance?

If you have a company car, you must pay company car tax to reflect the Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) you have received in lieu of salary. It's a complicated system based on the car's P11d value, your salary, and the car's CO2 emissions.

The good news is that we also have a very useful Company Car Tax section that will tell you everything you need to know.

Your questions answered by the car tax calculator

Q: What is car tax and why is it so important?
A: Car tax (or Vehicle Excise Duty, as it is officially known) is something that all vehicle owners must pay in order to park and drive their vehicles on UK roads.

Q: Why am I required to pay car tax?
A: Drivers in the United Kingdom are required by law to purchase car insurance on an annual basis. It was implemented to help maintain road surfaces, and at first, all funds collected could only be used for road maintenance. But Winston Churchill changed everything, allowing the VED pot to be spent on other things. (If you're wondering why we still have potholes, look no further.)

Q: What happens if I am caught driving an untaxed vehicle?
A: If you are caught driving an untaxed vehicle on the road, you could face a £1,000 fine. The DVLA has the authority to clamp untaxed vehicles on the road and, in some cases, to impound them. When the DVLA clamps an untaxed vehicle, the owner must pay a £100 release fee. If you cannot show that the vehicle has been taxed when it is released, you must pay a £160 surety fee, which is refunded if you can show that the vehicle has been taxed within 15 days.

Q: Is my vehicle taxed? How to Perform an Online Check
A: You can check vehicle tax easily and online by going to the DVLA website and entering the vehicle registration number.

Q: How does car tax affect high-end new or used cars?
A: New vehicles costing more than £40,000 are subject to a £310 annual surcharge for the first five years after they are taxed. And that is the price before any discounts are applied. Essentially, if it costs more than £40,000, it will be more expensive to tax, regardless of how clean it is. For pre-2017 vehicles, taxation is based on emissions, so if it's a gas guzzler, it'll almost certainly attract the highest rate of tax - remember, you can perform a road tax cost check on this page.

Q: What documents do I need to renew my tax return?
• If you're taxing online, you'll need a V11 reminder from the DVLA or your car logbook (V5C) to enter the 11-digit reference number online.
• If it's four years or older and you're taxing it at a post office, you'll need an up-to-date MoT certificate, but this will be automatically checked when you apply online.
• You must also be insured; if you are taxing at a post office, you must show an insurance certificate or cover note.

Q: How do I pay taxes on my new car?
A: When you buy a new car, the dealer will usually arrange for it to be registered and will provide you with a reference number that you can use to get your car taxed.

Q: Do I still need a car tax disc?
A: No, these were discontinued in 2014. If you have any old ones, you might find an unlikely winner on eBay because some people are interested in collecting them.

Q: I'm missing my DVLA reminder and registration document. Is it still possible to renew my vehicle tax at the Post Office?
A: Yes If you have lost your V5C, you must go to a Post Office and tax your vehicle using a (V62) form.

Q: My vehicle has been parked. Is it still taxable?
A: If you have declared your car SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) and are returning it to the road, the process of re-taxing it is straightforward. You can do this by contacting the DVLA online or by phone. All you need is your vehicle's 11-digit reference number, which you can enter on the DVLA website. Simply ensure that it is MoT'd and insured; if its test has expired, you will need to re-test it before you can tax it.

Q: My vehicle is tax-free. Do I need to do anything?
A: Yes, even if your vehicle is tax-free (some pre-2017 models with less than 100g/km CO2, as well as some classic cars), you will still need to fill out paperwork. Fortunately, you do not have to have your MOT completed before renewing your tax. You'll fill out the paperwork with the expectation that the car will pass its MOT.

More information on Car Tax

>> Go to our car tax and VED advice page.

>> Go to the DVLA's official car tax website.