Camper Van Road Tax: How Much Does It Cost?

If you own a camper van in the UK, you are legally required to pay road tax, also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). The amount of road tax you pay depends on several factors, including the weight, age, and engine size of your camper van. Camper vans are categorised into different tax bands based on their weight and engine size. The weight of the vehicle is also referred to as the revenue weight, maximum weight, or gross vehicle weight. Private or light goods vehicles have a revenue weight of 3,500 kg or less, while private heavy goods vehicles exceed this weight. The cost of road tax also depends on whether your camper van is classified as a low or zero-emission vehicle, as well as its production date. For instance, camper vans registered on or after April 1, 2017, are taxed based on their CO2 emissions. Additionally, vehicles over 40 years old are exempt from road tax but must still be registered for tax exemption.

Campervan tax rates for vehicles registered between 2001 and 2017

The tax rate for campervans registered between 2001 and 2017 depends on several factors, including the vehicle's weight, age, and engine size.

Weight

Campervans with a gross vehicle weight of 3,500 kg or less fall under the private or light goods vehicle category. Campervans exceeding this weight are classified as private heavy goods vehicles, and different tax rates apply.

Age

The tax rate for campervans registered between 2001 and 2017 is based on the vehicle's age and emissions rating. For campervans registered between 2009 and 2010, the 12-month tax rate is £140. For those registered between 2003 and 2006, the 12-month rate is also £140. Campervans registered on or after 1 March 2001 are charged £265 for 12 months.

Engine Size

The engine size also affects the tax rate. Campervans with an engine size of under 1549cc typically pay £200 for a single payment, while those with engines over 1549cc pay £325.

It's important to note that these rates may change and that there are exemptions and discounts available, such as for low-emission vehicles or those with alternative fuel sources. Additionally, historic campervans manufactured before 1 January 1983 are exempt from road tax, and disabled campervan owners may also be eligible for tax benefits.

Campervan tax rates for vehicles registered before 2001

The amount of road tax you pay for your campervan depends on several factors, including the vehicle's age, weight, and engine size. Campervans are classified into different tax bands based on their weight and engine size. Revenue weight, also known as maximum or gross vehicle weight, is used to determine the tax band.

For campervans registered before March 1, 2001, the tax rate is determined by the engine size. Campervans with an engine size of 1549cc or less are charged £165 for 12 months, while those with an engine size of over 1549cc are charged £270 for 12 months.

It is important to note that campervans made before January 1, 1979, are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), but you still need to register the vehicle even though there is no charge. Additionally, historic campervans manufactured before January 1, 1983, are exempt from road tax.

Campervan tax rates for vehicles registered after 1 April 2017

The tax rate for your campervan depends on several factors, including its weight, age, and engine size. Campervans are classified into different tax bands based on these factors. Here is a detailed guide to campervan tax rates for vehicles registered after 1 April 2017:

Campervans Registered After 1 April 2017:

Campervans registered after this date have their Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) calculated based on their CO2 emissions. If your campervan falls into the M1SP category and has a CO2 emissions figure on its type approval certificate, then your VED is calculated as follows:

First Year of Registration:

For the first year, you will pay a higher rate. This is calculated based on your vehicle's CO2 emissions. For emissions between 1g/km and 50g/km, you will pay between £10 and £25. The rate increases with higher emissions, up to £2,175 for emissions over 255g/km.

Second Year Onwards:

From the second year onwards, you will pay £150 per year for petrol or diesel vehicles, or £140 per year for alternative-fuelled vehicles.

Additional Costs for Vehicles Over £40,000:

If your campervan's list price was over £40,000 when you bought it new, you will need to pay an additional £325 per year. This additional cost applies from the second time the VED is paid until the sixth year.

Campervans Not in the M1SP Category:

If your campervan is not in the M1SP category or does not have its CO2 emissions listed on the type approval certificate, the VED is applied using the same rules as older vehicles. However, there should be very few campervans that fall into this category.

Campervans Registered After 12 March 2020:

Campervans registered after this date and weighing up to 3,500 kg pay £270 per year for road tax VED. This is because they are taxed as private or light goods vehicles. This change is not retrospective for older campervans.

Weight and Revenue Weight:

It is important to note that the weight of your campervan, also known as its revenue weight or gross vehicle weight, is a significant factor in determining its tax band. Campervans with a revenue weight of 3,500 kg or less are classified as private or light goods vehicles, while those over 3,500 kg are classified as private heavy goods vehicles, with different tax rates applied to each category.

Campervan tax rates for vehicles registered before 1 April 2017

Campervan tax rates depend on several factors, including the vehicle's age, weight, and engine size. The weight of the campervan, also known as the revenue weight, is a key factor in determining the tax band. The revenue weight is the maximum or gross vehicle weight.

For campervans registered before 1 April 2017, the VED rates are determined by the vehicle's age and emissions rating. The emissions rating is categorised by the engine's Euro rating, which can be found on the V5C logbook.

For campervans weighing under 3500 kg and registered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010, the VED rate is £140 for 12 months. Campervans registered between 1 March 2003 and 21 December 2006 also fall into this category.

For campervans under 3500 kg registered on or after 1 March 2001, the VED rate is £265 for 12 months.

Campervans under 3500 kg registered before 1 March 2001 are charged £165 for engines of 1549cc or less and £270 for engines over 1549cc.

Campervans manufactured before 1 January 1979 are exempt from VED, but they still need to be taxed, even though there is no charge.

Additionally, historic campervans manufactured before 1 January 1983 are exempt from road tax.

Campervan tax rates for vehicles weighing over 3,500kg

Campervans and motorhomes that weigh over 3,500kg are taxed as private heavy goods vehicles (PHGV). The tax rate for these vehicles is based on weight, emissions, and the number of axles.

For vehicles with a revenue weight between 3,500kg and 7,500kg, the tax rate is £165 per year. For vehicles weighing between 7,500kg and 11,999kg, the tax rate increases to £200 per year.

Motorhomes and campervans weighing 12,000kg or more are subject to an additional levy based on their emissions rating. For vehicles with a weight of 12,000kg to 14,000kg, the tax rate is £189.50 for a Euro VI-compliant engine and £221 for a Euro V-0 engine.

It's important to note that these tax rates are for vehicles registered before April 1, 2017. For vehicles registered after this date, the tax rates are different and based on other factors such as the vehicle's age and emissions rating.

Additionally, if your vehicle has a list price of over £40,000 when bought new, you will need to pay an additional £325 per year from the second time the VED is paid until the sixth year.

To calculate the tax for your campervan or motorhome, you can refer to the VED tables available on the DVLA website. These tables take into account various factors such as the vehicle's weight, age, and emissions to determine the correct tax amount.

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