TL;DR: UK road tax increases in April 2026 will see the standard Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rate rise by £5, from £195 to £200, following Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation. The steepest hikes hit new petrol and diesel cars, with first-year rates jumping by £200 to a maximum of £5,690. While classic cars (40+ years) and disabled drivers remain exempt, older vehicles registered before 2001 face increases up to £15 per year depending on engine size.
Check if your vehicle is taxed and what you can expect to pay using Regit's online car tax checker.
We keep being asked: 'Which petrol and diesel cars are affected by the 2026 car tax increase?'. So we've put together our list of affected vehicles.
If you've been keeping an eye on your household bills lately, I've got some news that might make you want to double-check your car's paperwork. The UK road tax increases in April 2026 are not far away, and for the vast majority of us, it means a slightly lighter wallet.
Most drivers will see their annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for 2026 climb by £5. This takes the standard rate from £195 to £200. It’s a move tied directly to the Retail Price Index (RPI) car tax update announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget. While a fiver might not sound like a deal-breaker, the costs start to spiral when you look at brand-new cars or older 'gas guzzlers.'
How much is road tax going up in April 2025?
For the average car owner, the standard annual VED rate is increasing by £5, moving from £195 to £200. This change applies to most petrol and diesel cars registered after April 2017. However, if you're buying a brand-new car, the first-year car tax petrol and diesel rates are jumping significantly—by as much as £200 for the highest-emitting vehicles.
New 2026-2027 car tax rates for vehicles registered between March 1, 2001, and April 1, 2017
Up to 100g/km - Remains at £20
Between 101 and 110g/km - Remains at £20
Between 111 and 120g/km - Remains at £35
Between 121 and 130g/km - Rising from £165 to £170
Between 131 and 140g/km - Rising from £195 to £200
Between 141 and 150g/km - Rising from £215 to £225
Between 151 and 165g/km - Rising from £265 to £275
Between 166 and 175g/km - Rising from £315 to £325
Between 176 and 185g/km - Rising from £345 to £360
Between 186 and 200g/km - Rising from £395 to £410
Between 201 and 225g/km - Rising from £430 to £445
Between 226 and 255g/km - Rising from £735 to £760
Over 255g/km - Rising from £750 to £790
The Heavy Hitters: New Petrol and Diesel Cars
If you’re planning to treat yourself to a brand-new internal combustion engine (ICE) car this spring, be prepared for a bit of 'sticker shock' at the dealership. The first-year tax for the most polluting models is climbing from £5,490 to a whopping £5,690. It’s a clear signal from the government: they want us moving toward cleaner tech, and they're using the tax system to nudge us there.
What About Older Cars? (Pre-2001)
If you’re driving a modern classic or just a reliable older runaround registered before March 2001, your tax is based on VED engine size categories rather than CO2 emissions. Here’s how the new rates look:
| Engine Size | New Rate (April 2025) | Current Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1549cc and below | £220 | £230 |
| Above 1549cc | £360 | £375 |
Electric Vehicle Road Tax 2025: The Silver Lining
There’s some genuinely good news for EV owners. While the tax landscape is changing, electric vehicle road tax remains incredibly competitive. If you have an established EV registered before 2017, you’ll likely still only pay £20 a year. New zero-emission cars are staying at a very reasonable £10 for the first year. If you're thinking of making the switch, check out our Electric Vehicle Hub - it's a great place to start.
Who Gets an Exemption?
It’s not all bad news. The classic car 40-year tax rule is still firmly in place. If your car was built more than 40 years ago, you’re still in the 'historic vehicle' bracket and pay £0 in VED. Similarly, road tax exemptions for disabled drivers haven't changed—if you're eligible, you'll continue to be fully exempt from these hikes.
Why the Change Now?
These updates aren't just pulled out of thin air. They're a direct result of the 2025 Autumn Budget and the government's commitment to keeping VED in line with inflation. By using the Retail Price Index, the Treasury ensures that tax revenue doesn't lose its value over time.