How Much Is My Car Tax In 2024? - Shocks For High Polluting Vehicles

30th March 2024

The flat rate cost of car tax in 2024 is currently £180. However, as part of the Spring Budget 2024, the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed Vehicle Excise duty (VED) would increase in line with inflation, based on the Retail Price Index (RPI). This means millions of drivers will pay more for their road tax from 1 April 2024.

The top polluting engines will pay £695. Be careful buying a second hand car.

If your car was first registered on or after 1 April 2017, your annual car tax will increase by £10 to £190. You may pay less or more if your car was first used before 2017. The exact fee for your annual road tax will boil down to the year your car was first registered and the type of fuel it uses.

Many electric cars qualify for free road tax, but this will change in 2025 when VED charges will be introduced for the first time for EVs. You can find out more about VED for EVs in our electric car road tax guide.

UK car tax bands explained
Vehicle tax bands are based either on engine size, or fuel type and carbon dioxide (CO2 emissions), depending on when the vehicle was first registered.

For cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 or 1 April 2017, the rates are split into different CO2 bands - the lower the tailpipe emissions, the lower the vehicle tax.

In order to tax a vehicle, suitable car insurance cover must be in place, while the vehicle must also have a valid MOT if it is over three years old. Both are checked electronically when you apply for car tax.

Check your car tax at RAC