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

Calculate the cost of vehicle tax for your vehicle using the tables below or the online calculator provided by directgov. The tables contain the rates of vehicle tax for the different tax classes, together with tax class (TC) codes to distinguish them. The rates shown apply to tax discs taken out from 1 April 2012.

Cars registered before 1 March 2001 (based on engine size)

Private/light goods (TC11)

  12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
Not over 1549 135.00 74.25
Over 1549 220.00 121.00

Cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 (based on fuel type and CO2 emissions)

The rates shown only apply to cars that have been type approved in category M1 and registered on the basis of CO2 emissions measured in grams per kilometre (g/km) driven. These details are shown on the registration certificate (V5C(NI)).

Vehicle tax rates for cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 are split into 13 bands depending on CO2 emissions. The amount you'll pay depends on which band your car is in. The lower a car’s emissions, the lower the vehicle tax payable on it.

Standard rates

The following table contains the rates of vehicle tax for already registered cars.

Petrol car (TC48) and diesel car (TC49)

  CO2 emission (g/km) 12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
A up to 100 0.00 N/A
B 101 to 110 20.00 N/A
C 111 to 120 30.00 N/A
D 121 to 130 100.00 55.00
E 131 to 140 120.00 66.00
F 141 to 150 135.00 74.25
G 151 to 165 170.00 93.50
H 166 to 175 195.00 107.25
I 176 to 185 215.00 118.25
J 186 to 200 250.00 137.50
K* 201 to 225 270.00 148.50
L 226 to 255 460.00 253.00
M over 255 475.00 261.25

*Band K includes cars that have a CO2 figure over 225g/km but were registered before 23 March 2006.

Alternative fuel car (TC59)

  CO2 emission (g/km) 12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
A up to 100 0.00 N/A
B 101 to 110 10.00 N/A
C 111 to 120 20.00 N/A
D 121 to 130 90.00 49.50
E 131 to 140 110.00 60.50
F 141 to 150 125.00 68.75
G 151 to 165 160.00 88.00
H 166 to 175 185.00 101.75
I 176 to 185 205.00 112.75
J 186 to 200 240.00 132.00
K* 201 to 225 260.00 143.00
L 226 to 255 450.00 247.50
M over 255 465.00 255.75

*Band K includes cars that have a CO2 figure over 225g/km but were registered before 23 March 2006.

The CO2 emission for your car is printed on your vehicle registration certificate, V5C(NI).

First year rates - cars registered on or after 1 April 2010 (based on fuel type and CO2 emissions)

The rates in the table below are only payable for a vehicle's first tax disc taken out at first registration. All other tax discs will be charged according to the standard rate tables shown above.

Petrol car (TC48) and diesel car (TC49)

  CO2 emission (g/km) 12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
A Up to 100 0.00 N/A
B 101-110 0.00 N/A
C 111-120 0.00 N/A
D 121-130 0.00 N/A
E 131-140 120.00 66.00
F 141-150 135.00 74.25
G 151-165 170.00 93.50
H 166-175 275.00 N/A
I 176-185 325.00 N/A
J 186-200 460.00 N/A
K 201-225 600.00 N/A
L 226-255 815.00 N/A
M Over 255 1,030.00 N/A

Alternative fuel car (TC59)

  CO2 emission (g/km) 12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
A Up to 100 0.00 N/A
B 101-110 0.00 N/A
C 111-120 0.00 N/A
D 121-130 0.00 N/A
E 131-140 110.00 60.50
F 141-150 125.00 68.75
G 151-165 160.00 88.00
H 166-175 265.00 N/A
I 176-185 315.00 N/A
J 186-200 450.00 N/A
K 201-225 590.00 N/A
L 226-255 805.00 N/A
M Over 255 1,020.00 N/A

For further information about first year rates, the changes to six month tax discs, refunds and used imported vehicles, please see below:

Other vehicle tax rates

Light goods vehicles (TC39)

Registered on or after 1 March 2001 (not over 3,500kg revenue weight).

  12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
Light goods vehicle 215.00 118.25

Euro 4 light goods vehicles (TC36)

Registered between 1 March 2003 and 31 December 2006 only (not over 3,500kg revenue weight)

  12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
Euro 4 light goods vehicles 135.00 74.25

Euro 5 light goods vehicles (TC36)

Registered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 only (not over 3,500kg revenue weight).

  12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
Euro 5 light goods vehicles 135.00 74.25

Motorcycle (with or without a sidecar) (TC17)

  12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
Not over 150 16.00 N/A
151-400 36.00 N/A
401-600 55.00 30.25
Over 600 76.00 41.80

Tricycles (not over 450kg unladen) (TC50)

  12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
Tricycle not over 150 16.00 N/A
All other tricycles 76.00 41.80

Trade licences

  12 months rate £ 6 months rate £
All vehicles 165.00 90.75
Bicycles (only) not over 450kg 76.00 41.80
Tricycles (only) not over 450kg 76.00 41.80

Car fuel data, CO2 and vehicle tax tools

Check the CO2 emissions and amount of vehicle tax payable for any new car that you’re considering buying.

More useful links