Learn how HGV road tax works in 2026. From VED bands and levy rates to exemptions and penalties, it’s all explained here.
Tristan Bacon — Updated 25 June 2026
Running a heavy goods vehicle isn’t cheap. Fuel, tyres, servicing and insurance all put pressure on margins. On top of that, operators must budget for HGV road tax — officially known as Vehicle Excise Duty, or VED.
Unlike courier van road tax, the amount an HGV normally pays depends on several factors. These include the vehicle’s weight, axle configuration, suspension and emissions standard.
There is also a major change for hauliers in 2026.
Most eligible HGVs renewing their road tax between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 will pay an annual VED rate of just £1.
The HGV levy has not been removed, so many operators will still need to pay that alongside the reduced VED rate.
This guide explains what has changed, which vehicles qualify and how much operators will need to budget. Whether you run a large fleet or are starting a haulage company, here’s what you need to know.
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Two main changes affect HGV road tax in 2026.
First, standard VED and HGV levy rates increased from 1 April 2026.
The government then announced a temporary 12-month reduction in VED for most HGVs. Eligible vehicles renewing between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 will pay an annual VED rate of £1.
This is sometimes described as an HGV road tax holiday. It is important to understand that it only applies to the VED part of the bill.
The HGV levy still applies where relevant.
The date your vehicle renews matters.
The £1 rate does not automatically begin across your entire fleet on 1 July. It applies when each eligible vehicle’s VED comes up for renewal during the qualifying period.
HGV road tax is the common name for Vehicle Excise Duty. It is the tax charged for using or keeping a heavy goods vehicle on public roads.
The standard amount depends on factors including:
Alongside VED, most HGVs weighing 12,000kg or more must also pay the HGV levy.
The levy is based on the vehicle’s weight and emissions standard. Euro VI or later lorries pay less than Euro V or earlier vehicles, encouraging operators to invest in cleaner fleets and reduce HGV carbon emissions.
Put simply:
The temporary rate applies to HGVs weighing more than 3,500kg in the following tax classes:
The vehicle must renew its VED between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.
Most standard rigid and articulated lorries used by UK haulage operators are likely to fall within an eligible class.
Some specialist vehicles use different tax classes and may not qualify automatically. Check the tax class shown on the vehicle’s records before calculating your renewal costs.
Yes. The government’s temporary measure reduces the VED charge. It does not remove the HGV levy.
For an eligible vehicle renewing during the qualifying period, the calculation will usually be £1 VED + the relevant HGV levy.
The amount of levy depends on the vehicle’s revenue weight and whether it meets Euro VI or a later standard.
The examples below show how the temporary reduction could affect common vehicle configurations.
These examples assume the vehicle qualifies for the temporary rate and uses the stated configuration.
The exact standard band can change depending on the vehicle’s weight, axles, trailer and suspension. Always check the DVLA tables for the specific vehicle.
Standard rates still matter for:
The standard annual VED rates from 1 April 2026 are shown below.
You cannot identify the correct band from weight alone.
For example, two vehicles with the same revenue weight could fall into different bands because one has more axles or uses a different trailer configuration.
The DVLA’s full tables separate:
For more information about classifications, see our guide to the difference between LGVs and HGVs.
You can also check the latest DVLA vehicle tax tables for the full breakdown.
The HGV levy applies separately from VED.
The annual rates from 1 April 2026 are:
Euro VI vehicles pay less at every weight level.
For example, an HGV weighing more than 38,000kg pays an annual levy of:
Across a large fleet, that difference can add up.
The levy is normally paid annually or every six months alongside VED for UK-registered vehicles.
Rigid HGVs weighing 12,000kg or more and pulling a trailer over 4,000kg use separate tax tables.
To calculate the standard rate, you may need to know:
A trailer can therefore change the amount payable, even when the HGV itself stays the same.
If your operation regularly switches trailers, make sure the vehicle is taxed for the correct configuration.
Understanding the rules around vehicle weight and configuration is also important for staying within legal HGV dimensions.
Some vehicles have separate tax classes and standard rates.
From 1 April 2026:
Do not assume every vehicle described as an HGV qualifies for the £1 rate.
The temporary measure names specific tax classes. Operators using recovery vehicles, private HGVs or other specialist equipment should check the vehicle’s recorded class before renewal.
For a standard HGV tax application, GOV.UK directs operators to:
You can find the current process on the government’s HGV vehicle tax page.
UK-registered HGVs pay the levy alongside their VED.
The separate online HGV levy service is designed for non-UK-registered HGVs entering and using roads in the UK. It is not the normal payment service for UK-registered lorries.
This is an important distinction for businesses managing both domestic and international vehicles.
Good fleet management means keeping accurate records of:
The temporary rate makes renewal dates particularly important.
Check each vehicle individually rather than assuming the same rate applies across the whole fleet at the same time.
Your transport manager should also make sure vehicle records remain accurate when adding new lorries, changing configurations or replacing trailers.
Some vehicles are exempt from paying VED.
You must normally still tax an exempt vehicle, even where there is no charge.
Zero-emission HGVs weighing more than 3,500kg remain exempt from VED.
HGVs that produce no emissions at the tailpipe are also currently exempt from the HGV levy.
This applies to:
Hybrid vehicles and hydrogen combustion vehicles do not qualify for the levy exemption.
Vehicles made before 1 January 1986 are currently exempt from VED under the historic vehicle rules.
The qualifying date moves forward as vehicles become eligible.
Vehicles used by organisations to provide transport for disabled passengers may also qualify for an exemption.
If an HGV is not being used or kept on a public road, you can make a Statutory Off-Road Notification.
Once the vehicle is declared SORN, you do not need to pay VED while it remains off the road.
You cannot use or keep it on a public road until it is taxed again, apart from limited permitted journeys.
Check the government’s vehicle tax exemption guidance before claiming an exemption.
The registered keeper is responsible for making sure an HGV is taxed or declared SORN.
Failing to do so can result in:
The DVLA uses vehicle records, roadside checks and automatic number plate recognition cameras to identify untaxed vehicles.
For a haulage operator, losing access to a lorry can quickly disrupt work.
It could delay cold chain transport, affect high-risk freight or leave customer loads without an available vehicle.
VED is only one part of the cost of keeping a lorry on the road.
Operators must also budget for:
The temporary £1 rate will reduce costs for eligible operators, but it does not remove the HGV levy or any of these wider expenses.
Knowing the full cost of each vehicle helps you price work, assess profitability and manage your haulage contracts more accurately.
The £1 rate is temporary.
Unless the government extends or replaces the measure, it will stop applying to renewals after 30 June 2027.
Euro VI vehicles already pay a lower levy, while zero-emission HGVs remain exempt from both VED and the HGV levy. This shows that emissions are likely to remain an important part of future road tax policy.
Operators considering new vehicles, alternative fuels or specialist equipment such as walking floor trailers should continue monitoring government announcements.
Tax rates, levy charges and exemptions can all affect the long-term cost of a fleet.
The main HGV road tax change for 2026 is the temporary £1 VED rate.
Most eligible HGVs renewing between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 will pay £1 in annual VED.
The HGV levy continues to apply.
Operators should remember:
Check the tax class and renewal date of every vehicle in your fleet before working out what you will pay.
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Most eligible HGVs renewing between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 will pay £1 in annual VED. The HGV levy still applies and ranges from £161 to £804 a year, depending on the vehicle’s weight and Euro emissions standard. Vehicles renewing before 1 July 2026 pay the standard 2026 VED rates.
No. The vehicle must weigh more than 3,500kg, fall within one of the eligible tax classes and renew between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. The published eligible classes include standard HGVs, trailer HGVs, special types, combined transport and island goods vehicles.
No. The £1 rate only applies to Vehicle Excise Duty. The HGV levy remains payable where relevant.
Not immediately. It applies when each eligible vehicle renews during the qualifying period. Different vehicles in the same fleet may therefore receive the reduced rate at different times.
Complete form V85 and apply at a Post Office that handles vehicle tax. You will also need the vehicle’s V5C log book. For UK-registered HGVs, any HGV levy due is paid alongside VED.
It depends on the vehicle’s tax class and weight. Some HGV categories offer monthly Direct Debit payments. Standard HGVs weighing 12,000kg or more are shown in the current DVLA tables with annual and six-month rates. Check form V85 and the latest V149/1 tables for the options available for your vehicle.
Fully electric HGVs weighing more than 3,500kg are currently exempt from VED. Zero-emission HGVs, including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, are also currently exempt from the HGV levy.
The registered keeper could receive a penalty, be asked to pay the outstanding tax or face prosecution. The vehicle could also be clamped or removed, preventing it from being used for work.
