UK road tax is rising in April 2026 - what drivers need to know
Molly Pollard
Thu Feb 12, 2026 • 3 min read
UK motorists will see changes to road tax from April 2026, with Vehicle Excise Dute (VED) rates increasing across multiple vehicle types. The update follows the Government’s annual adjustment in line with inflation and will affect petrol, diesel and some older vehicles in particular.
A £5 rise for most drivers
For the majority of motorists, the standard annual road tax rate will increase by £5, moving from £195 to £200. This applies to most petrol and diesel cars registered after April 2017 and reflects the latest Retail Price Index (RPI) uplift announced in the 2025 Autum Budget.
While the increase may seem modest, costs can rise significantly depending on when your car was registered and how much it emits.
Bigger increases for new petrol and diesel cars
Drivers buying brand new petrol or diesel cars will face the steepest increases. First-year VED rates – which are based on CO2 emissions – are rising sharply, with the most polluting vehicles seeing a jump of £200.
For the highest-emitting new cars, first-year road tax will increase to £5,690, reinforcing the financial push towards lower-emission alternatives.
Changes for cars registered between 2001 and 2017
Vehicles registered between March 2001 and April 2017 are taxed according to their CO2 emissions, and many of these brands will also rise in April 2026. Increases range from small uplifts of £5-£15 at the lower end to much larger rises for high-emission vehicles.
Cars emitting over 255g/km of CO2 will see some of the biggest jumps, with annual tax climbing to £790.
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What about older cars?
Cars registered before March 2001 are taxed based on engine size rather than emissions. These vehicles will also see increases under the new rules:
- Cars with engines up to 1,549cc will rise to £230
- Cars with engines over 1,549cc will increase to £375
Electric vehicles and exemptions
Electric vehicles remain comparatively cheap to tax, though the VED landscape continues to evolve. Many older EVs still attract very low annual charges, while newer zero-emission vehicles continue to benefit from low first-year rates.
Some drivers will remain fully exempt from road tax increases, including:
- Historic vehicles over 40 years old
- Eligible disabled drivers, whose exemptions are unchanged
Why are rates increasing?
The April 2026 changes stem from the Government’s commitment to keeping VED aligned with inflation. By linking increases to the Retail Price Index, the Treasury aims to maintain tax revenues while using emissions-based charges to influence buying behaviour.
What should drivers do now?
If your road tax is due around April, it’s worth checking:
- Which VED brand your car falls into
- How much your annual rate will change
- Whether taxing your vehicle before April could save you money
Using an online car tax checker can help drivers understand exactly how the new rates apply to their vehicle.
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