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The cost of vehicle tax

All rates of vehicle tax shown apply to tax discs taken out from 1 April 2012. Calculate the cost of vehicle tax for your vehicle using the tables below or the online calculator provided by directgov.

The cost of vehicle tax for cars, motorcycles, light goods vehicles and trade licences

Tax classes include:

  • private/light goods vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles
  • cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 based on CO2 emissions and fuel type
  • cars registered before 23 March 2006 based on CO2 emissions over 225 g/km and fuel type
  • light goods vehicles registered on or after 1 March 2001
  • euro 4 light goods vehicles registered between 1 March 2003 and 31 December 2006
  • euro 5 light goods vehicles registered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010
  • trade licences
  • The cost of vehicle tax for cars, motorcycles, light goods vehicles and trade licences

First year rates - The cost of vehicle tax for new cars registered on or after 1 April 2010 based on CO2 emissions and fuel type

Find out the cost of your first year vehicle tax rate if you buy a new car registered on or after 1 April 2010. These rates are based on CO2 emissions and fuel type.

The cost of vehicle tax for buses and larger vehicles

Tax classes include buses, reduced pollution buses, general haulage, reduced pollution general haulage, recovery vehicles and private HGVs.

The cost of vehicle tax for large rigid and articulated goods vehicles

Tax classes include rigid vehicles, reduced pollution rigid vehicles, trailer duty, reduced pollution trailer duty, two axle tractive unit articulated vehicles, reduced pollution two axle tractive unit articulated vehicles, three axle tractive unit articulated vehicles and reduced pollution three axle tractive unit articulated vehicles.

From 1 April 2011, exceptional rates of vehicle tax have been introduced for some heavy goods vehicles. Heavy goods vehicles of a certain weight and axle configuration that do not have road friendly suspension may attract a different rate of vehicle tax.

The cost of vehicle tax for other types of vehicles

The leaflet 'Rates of vehicle excise duty' (V149(NI)) shows the cost of vehicle tax for: special vehicles (showman’s goods, showman’s haulage, works' trucks, digging machines, road rollers, mobile cranes/pumps), small islands vehicles, special trailer duty, special types vehicles, reduced pollution special types vehicles, combined transport and reduced pollution combined transport.

How to pay?

  • Cash
  • Postal Orders
  • Cheque
  • Vehicle Licence Stamps (As of 31 March 2005 these stamps have been withdrawn from sale)
  • Debit Card

DVA cannot accept cash payments for £1000 or over, for any single transaction. DVA are unable to accept credit card payments.

Any vehicle licensing stamps that have been purchased can still be used.

Spreading the cost

You can spread the cost of the vehicle tax by using the new Post Office® savings card scheme. You can use this card as full or part payment for your vehicle tax. (For more details of the new savings card scheme and the closure of the savings stamps please contact the Post Office®).

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