Running a heavy goods vehicle isn’t cheap. Fuel, tyres, servicing, and insurance all put pressure on margins. On top of that, every operator must budget for HGV road tax — the official Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) that keeps lorries legal on UK roads.
Unlike courier van road tax, the system for HGVs is far from simple. The amount you pay can vary widely between a 2-axle rigid and a 44-tonne articulated lorry. For hauliers working on tight budgets, knowing these costs upfront is crucial for planning.
This guide sets out the current HGV road tax rates, explains how the levy works, and covers practical steps for payment and management. Whether you’re a fleet operator, a transport manager, or even if you’re starting a transport company, you’ll find everything you need here.
What we’ll cover
Fleets, bookings, subcontractors, compliance & payments.
With HX, you can manage them all in one place.
What is HGV road tax?
HGV road tax is the yearly charge for driving or keeping a heavy goods vehicle on UK roads. The money goes into government funds that support transport infrastructure and road upkeep.
Unlike car tax, which is linked to emissions, and van tax rates, which are usually flat, HGV tax combines several factors:
- Revenue weight: the maximum authorised weight of the lorry when loaded.
- Axle configuration: the number of axles, which affects road wear.
- Emissions class: Euro VI vehicles pay less levy than Euro V or older trucks.
Alongside VED, the DVLA applies an HGV levy to most vehicles over 12 tonnes. This levy is designed to make older, more polluting lorries more expensive to operate, while rewarding investment in modern Euro VI trucks that lower HGV carbon emissions.
For operators with one or multiple lorries, understanding these variables is vital. It helps you predict annual costs accurately, avoid compliance issues, and plan better around your other fixed outgoings like fuel and maintenance.
HGV tax rates for 2025 explained
The rates that apply from April 2025 are detailed by the DVLA.
To make sense of them, it helps to look at how the system is built.
Vehicle Excise Duty bands
The DVLA sets out bands for rigid and articulated lorries. Below are the main VED rates for HGVs weighing 12,000kg and over in 2025:
| Band | Annual VED | Typical vehicle / weight range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | £83 | Lightest rigids/tractors over 12t | Often 2-axle small units |
| A2 | £87 | Slightly heavier 2-axle units | — |
| A3 | £104 | 2-axle tractors up to 25t | — |
| A4 | £151 | 2-axle mid-weight tractors | — |
| A5 | £157 | 2-axle up to 26t | — |
| B1 | £98 | Common mid-weight rigids 15–19t | Very common fleet size |
| B2 | £109 | Rigids 19–21t | — |
| B3 | £130 | Rigids 21–23t | — |
| C1 | £218 | Rigid/tractor 23–25t | — |
| C2 | £275 | Rigid/tractor 25–27t | — |
| C3 | £300 | Rigid/tractor 27–29t | — |
| D1 | £311 | Rigid/tractor 29–31t | Example: 3-axle rigids |
| E1 | £580 | Heavy multi-axle 31–33t | — |
| E2 | £631 | Heavy multi-axle 33–34t | — |
| F | £715 | 34–38t lorries | — |
| G | £881 | 38–44t lorries | Heaviest standard HGVs |
Smaller HGVs under 12,000kg fall into bands A0 and B0, at £171 and £207 annually.
The HGV levy
On top of VED, you must pay the levy. Rates depend on the truck’s weight and emissions class:
| Weight (kg) | Euro VI or later | Euro V or earlier |
|---|---|---|
| 12,000–31,000 | £155 | £202 |
| 31,001–38,000 | £373 | £485 |
| Over 38,000 | £597 | £776 |
The levy costs less for Euro VI lorries, rewarding operators who invest in cleaner fleets and cut emissions.
Combined costs in practice
VED and levy must be added together. To show how this works, here are some example totals:
| Vehicle type (example) | Weight & Euro class | VED | Levy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-axle rigid, 15,000kg, Euro VI | Band D1 | £311 | £155 | £466 |
| 3-axle tractor, 30,000kg, Euro V | Band E1 | £580 | £485 | £1,065 |
| 4-axle rigid, 38,000kg, Euro VI | Band F | £715 | £373 | £1,088 |
| 3-axle tractor, 40,000kg, Euro V | Band G | £881 | £776 | £1,657 |
This structure means operators don’t need to cross-check multiple DVLA tables. Instead, they can find the relevant band, check the levy, and add them together for the total annual cost.
However, if you’d like to calculate your exact HGV road tax rate, check out the DVLA’s latest guidance with a full breakdown based on weight and configuration.
Special categories
Some vehicles have separate tax classes:
- Private HGVs: £171 a year.
- Recovery vehicles: £171 if under 25,000kg, £430 if over.
- Showman’s vehicles, mobile cranes, and road rollers: £171.
- General haulage vehicles (tax class 55): £365.
These apply where the truck isn’t being used for regular freight.
Paying and managing your HGV tax
You can pay online through DVLA, at a Post Office, or by Direct Debit. Payment options include annual, six-monthly, or monthly instalments.
Paying yearly is cheaper. Monthly and six-monthly instalments include a surcharge. Some operators still prefer monthly to spread out costs alongside fuel, maintenance and other running costs.
Good fleet management means aligning tax renewals with MOTs and insurance. That reduces admin and helps you keep your trucks legal without missing deadlines.
Exemptions and discounts
Most modern lorries must pay tax. But there are a few exemptions:
- Historic vehicles over 40 years old.
- Trucks adapted to carry disabled passengers.
- Vehicles declared off-road with a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN).
At present, electric HGVs are rare in the UK, but they’re exempt from VED.
Penalties and enforcement
If you don’t tax your lorry, the DVLA can fine you up to £1,000. They also use ANPR cameras to identify untaxed vehicles.
Untaxed lorries can be clamped or seized. For an operator, losing a truck means losing work. That can hit revenue, disrupt cold chain transport, or delay hazardous goods transport schedules.
The bigger picture: HGV tax and running costs
VED is only part of the bill for keeping a lorry on the road. Fuel, repairs, tyres, tolls, and charges in low emission zone areas often cost much more.
But unlike diesel prices, HGV vehicle tax rates are predictable. Operators can budget with confidence, knowing what each lorry owes every year.
The future of HGV road tax
Government policy is pushing haulage towards cleaner vehicles. Euro VI trucks already pay less levy, and incentives for zero-emission lorries may increase.
Operators will also face wider environmental pressure. Expect growing debate on tax reform, as electric HGVs and alternative fuels expand. Walking floor trailers and larger vehicles may also see specific rules linked to HGV dimensions and road impact.
The shift towards cleaner fleets means both drivers and transport managers need to track changes. Tax bands could be updated, and new exemptions introduced.
Frequently asked questions
How much is road tax for an HGV?
The cost varies depending on your lorry’s weight, axle set-up, and emissions class. In 2025, VED ranges from £83 for the lightest Euro VI units up to £881 for the heaviest, plus an HGV levy of £155–£776.
How much is road tax for commercial vehicles in the UK?
Commercial vehicles under 3,500kg, such as vans, usually fall under LGV tax rates. Most pay a flat fee of £335 per year in 2025. Vehicles over 3,500kg are classed as HGVs, which use a banded VED and levy system based on weight and configuration.
How do I pay my HGV levy online?
You can pay the HGV levy on the official GOV.UK website. The process is similar to paying standard VED: you’ll need your vehicle details, payment information, and your operator licence if applicable. Many operators set up a Direct Debit through DVLA so both VED and levy payments are handled together.
Can you pay HGV road tax monthly?
DVLA lets you pay monthly by Direct Debit. It’s slightly more expensive than paying annually, but some operators prefer spreading the cost across the year, especially when managing large fleets.
