Everything You Need to Know About Campervan Road Tax
Owning a campervan gives you the freedom to explore Britain’s beautiful countryside at your own pace. However, like all vehicles, campervans are subject to additional costs including road tax.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about campervan road tax, including rates, requirements and any exemptions. We’ll also provide some helpful tips on how to manage these costs.
Looking to get on the road with a campervan? Check out our campervan finance options at Auto Finance.
What is campervan road tax?
Road tax is a tax that all vehicles have to pay in order to drive on public roads. The rate of tax you pay is decided by a vehicle’s CO2 emissions from the point it is registered.
VED or Vehicle Excise Duty is the campervan road tax you’ll be expected to pay. This mandatory tax is used to help develop the infrastructure of our roads. It’s also used as a measure to try and reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by encouraging people to purchase zero-emission vehicles which are exempt from the charge.
When it comes to paying Campervan road tax, you have the option to pay monthly instalments, pay off the yearly amount in one go or choose two 6 monthly payments. You can pay your vehicle tax online via the DVLA or if you’d prefer to do it in person, you can also pay your road tax at the Post Office.
If you’re looking for a motorhome instead, we also have a dedicated motor home road tax page. If you’re unsure what vehicle you’d like to purchase, our motorhome vs campervan blog should help you make your decision.
How is campervan road tax calculated?
When it comes to calculating campervan road tax, there are a number of different factors that influence the amount you’ll be expected to pay including:
Campervan price
If your campervan had a list price of over £40,000 you’ll be charged an extra fee of £410 a year for the first 5 years of paying VED.
Weight
If your campervan weighs under 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg, your vehicle will be paying the same amount as the average car. If your campervan weighs over 3.5 tonnes however it is classed as a heavy goods vehicle and you will have to pay HGV tax which falls under a different structure.
CO2 emissions
If your campervan was registered after March 2001 then you’re subject to taxing based on the CO2 emissions your vehicle produces. The higher the emissions, the higher you can expect your VED to be.
Vehicle age
If your campervan was registered after April 2017 your VED is determined by the list price and emissions of the vehicle. The first year’s payment is higher and then the rate is the same each year. If your campervan was registered before March 2021 your tax payment is determined by the vehicle’s engine size.
Are there exemptions to campervan road tax?
In most cases you will be expected to pay road tax, however, there are some exemptions to this rule.
Disability benefit or exemption
If you’re a registered disabled person and use a campervan you could be entitled to a 50% discount or full exemption on your vehicle tax depending on what criteria you meet as set out by the government.
Historic vehicles
Your vehicle is exempt from any road tax payments if it was built before the 1st of January 1984 or is 40 years old. However, you still have to go through the taxation process and register for exemption as the process is not automatically applied.
Low emission vehicles
As it stands, low-emission vehicles will pay the lowest tax rates and electric cars are exempt from this tax. However, from the 1st of April 2025, this law will change and electric and low-emission cars will be required to pay VED. These vehicles will pay the lowest rate for the first year and then the standard rate from there on.
How to manage road tax costs
Campervan road tax or VED is just one of the many regular costs associated with owning a campervan and these costs can quickly build up. To help you manage these costs, consider some of the tips down below:
Opt for a low-emission vehicle
Although the law changes in 2025, opting for a campervan with lower CO2 emissions will still reduce the amount you pay for road tax and can help save you some money.
Consider going vintage
A great way to ensure you pay little or no VED is to use the historic vehicle tax exemption to your benefit. Choose a campervan that is over 40 years old or considered a vintage model and is eligible as a history vehicle and you can avoid this tax charge.
Usage
If you don’t take your campervan on the road often or it is stationary on your drive or garage you might be able to save on road tax by registering for Statutory Off Road Notification. If you meet the SORN requirements you won’t have to pay road tax when your van is not on the road.
Find your perfect campervan at Auto Finance
At Auto Finance, we’re dedicated to making campervan finance quick and easy so you can get out on the open road in no time. Choose the right campervan from a range of dealers across the UK and we’ll find you the best finance deal based on your requirements.
To find out more about our campervan finance service, get in touch today and a member of our team will be happy to help.
For more advice on campervans, check out these blogs:
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payments of
Cash price £15,000, deposit £0, total amount of credit £15,000, term 7 years, 84 monthly payments of £244.99, on a hire purchase agreement, option to purchase fee £1, total amount payable £20,578.77, representative APR 9.9%, rate of interest 9.9% fixed.
Rates may differ as they are dependent on individual circumstances. Subject to status.
