Motorists have been issued an urgent warning to “check their paperwork” ahead of major car tax price hikes coming within weeks. Motoring experts at Regit have warned road users' household bills will creep up in April as new Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) updates come into effect.
VED rates are tied with inflation, meaning prices will rise every year, with April 2026 no exception. Almost all petrol, diesel and electric car owners are affected by the rule, with motorists forced to dip further into their wallets to retain their freedoms. Regit urged all road users to check how much they could pay and budget accordingly ahead of the spring update.
Regit explained: “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’.”
To check a vehicle's VED band, motorists can find details on their V5C logbook or find their V11 DVLA tax renewal reminder letter. Brand new combustion owners are most affected, with first-year VED rates providing the highest bills.
Those with the keys to brand new models emitting over 255g/km of CO2 will pay £5,690 to use the roads from April, up £200 on the current £5,490. Meanwhile, owners of cars registered between 2001 and 2017 face higher prices with 13 different tax bands enjoying a sliding scale of new fees.
Once again, polluting models emitting over 255g/km of CO2 are most affected, with prices rising from £750 to £790. Cars producing between 226 and 255g/km of CO2 are also affected, with prices jumping from £735 to £760 from April 1.
Analysis has revealed that vehicles emitting between 176 and 185g/km, 186 and 200g/km and 201 and 225g/km will pay £15 more.
