Campervan Road Tax: Which Band Will Your Van Fall Into?

Vehicle excise duty - road tax - on a campervan depends on when it was registered and how much CO2 it emits. Because many campervans are registered as commercial vehicles or have been converted, the rate isn't always obvious. Here's how to work out what you'll pay.

The basics of VED

Road tax is paid annually (or in six-monthly instalments) to the DVLA and is non-transferable: the seller's remaining tax doesn't come with the van, so you'll need to tax it yourself when you buy. Rates for vehicles registered after April 2017 are based on CO2 emissions, while older vans fall into more generous bands.

Typical rates for campervans

• Diesel motorhomes registered from 2017 typically pay between £190 and £325 a year.
• High-emission new models, especially larger motorhomes, can fall into the £600-plus top bands.
• Older campervans (pre-2001) are often taxed at the flat historic rate, usually £345 a year, regardless of emissions.
• Light commercial "van-derived" conversions sometimes sit in a cheaper commercial band - but only if registered correctly.

The exact figure depends on the manufacturer's declared CO2 figure, which you can check on the DVLA vehicle enquiry service using the registration number. Our guide to campervan running costs includes road tax in the full picture.

Electric and hybrid vans

Electric campervans are rare but growing, and currently attract zero VED. Mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid vans sit in the middle bands, paying roughly £170-£250 a year depending on emissions. If you're comparing new vans, the CO2 figure in the brochure is the number that sets your band.

How to pay

You can pay online through the DVLA, by direct debit, at the Post Office or over the phone. Direct debit spreads the cost but adds a small surcharge - around 5% - compared with paying the full year upfront.

SORN and off-season

If you store the van for winter, you can declare it SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) and stop paying road tax - but it can't then be kept on a road or public land, and you can't drive it at all. It must also stay insured. If the van sits on a driveway unused, SORN is a legitimate way to cut running costs.

Check the actual VED rate for a specific vehicle on the DVLA site before you buy - sellers occasionally quote the wrong band, and the bill is yours once you own it.

When you find a van, the registration plate tells you its age; then use our search to compare similar models and their typical tax rates.