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UK road tax changes: Everything you need to know

Car Road Tax

As we have mentioned, the UK government reviews the car road tax rates every year to make sure they remain in line with inflation and continue to fulfil the demands of motorists. The rate you pay one year may not be the same as the rate you pay the following year. To know Check If a Car is Taxed and How it’s calculated? is the valuable information for used car buyers.

How is car road tax calculated? 

The tax system used to be much simpler; cars were charged based on CO2 emissions, and the annual rate remained constant. There were parallel charging stations for petrol and diesel vehicles and “alternatively” fueled cars, but that was about as complex as it got.

Cars with emissions of 100g/km or less qualified for free road tax under this less restrictive scheme. Therefore a small city car would cost less. Even gas guzzlers got off relatively easy; they only had to pay £630 a year, or a little bit more if you split the payment into monthly instalments.

What will my car’s road tax (VED) be in 2022–2023?

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced several modifications to the road tax (VED) system in his Autumn Budget in October 2021. These changes take effect on April 1, 2023, and include:

  • For most vehicles, first-year tax rates will rise by £5 to £120.
  • For the vast majority of vehicles, standard road tax rates will rise by £10 annually.
  • New car premium tax rates will rise by £30 annually for vehicles costing more than £40,000.

Is it possible to get free road tax on new cars?

Taxes for electric and hydrogen vehicles, which emit no CO2, are entirely waived. Since none of them emit CO2, you can choose from tiny cars, huge cars  and even SUVs.  Hydrogen vehicles are hard to find and expensive to purchase.

How can you qualify for free road tax?

Along with zero-emission vehicles and the ones with 100g/km CO2 or less emissions registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017, you won’t be required to pay road tax if you join in the Motability Program or drive a historic vehicle (one that is at least 40 years old).

Tax rates for 2001 to 2017-registered cars

All new cars are subject to three new VED bands beginning on 1 April 2017: zero, standard, and premium..This indicates that the only vehicles eligible for zero VED are those that emit no CO2 and cost less than £40,000.

Hybrid vehicles will pay a standard rate of £155 annually compared to the average of £165 for most petrol and diesel vehicles.

The first year rate for the majority of family cars costs between £120 and £170, while the most polluting vehicles (255g/km+ of CO2) cost up to £2365.

Hybrid buyers were among those hardest hit by the changes, as they were required to pay road tax for the first time. 

Is there a road tax exemption for disabled drivers?

In the event that you get the PIP standard rate mobility component, your vehicle tax will be reduced by 50%. The name of the disabled individual or their authorized driver should be on the vehicle’s registration. Receiving the lower rate mobility component of DLA does not qualify you for a discount.

You will require the following in order to apply:

  • A document from the Department of Work and Pensions that contains your PIP rate and the dates you will be receiving it
  • The car’s logbook (V5C)
  • An authentic MOT or GVT certificate, a V10 form (if your vehicle needs one)
  • A check or payment order for 50% of the entire rate of car tax for the vehicle, made out to “DVLA, Swansea,” as well as an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)