Details of how to pay the HGV road user levy and background information on the levy.
The HGV Road User Levy applies to heavy goods vehicles (HGV) of 12 tonnes or more. The aim of the levy is to ensure these vehicles contribute to the wear and tear of the road network. The levy amount varies according to the vehicle’s weight, axle configuration and levy duration.
Pay the HGV Levy.
On 28 March 2018, the Roads Minister announced changes to the HGV levy so that from 1 February 2019 haulage firms will benefit from a cheaper road user levy if they use less polluting lorries.
The newest lorries generate 80% less nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than older ones, so lorries meeting the latest Euro VI emissions standards are now eligible for a 10% reduction in the cost of the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Levy. Euro Class V and older vehicles are required to pay up to 20% more.
The legislative changes to allow these rate changes were brought in as part of the 2019 Finance Bill introduced in the Budget on 29 October 2018 (in particular, see number 61 of the Budget resolutions (PDF, 168KB).
On the 22 November 2017 the Chancellor announced in the Autumn Budget that there would be an open call for evidence on reforming the HGV Levy.
UK registered vehicles
Payments are collected by the DVLA. UK registered vehicles pay levy costs at the same time and in the same transaction as vehicle excise duty (VED). Changes to VED were announced by the Chancellor in the March 2013 Budget and were made in the Finance Bill 2014.
Non-UK registered vehicles
Vehicles registered abroad must make levy payments before entering the UK (including Northern Ireland) and details about levy amounts are available. The levy can be paid by day, week, month or year and discounts are available for longer levy periods.
Online payment of the HGV Road User Levy for operators completing journeys on UK roads is available. The service also offers a ‘registered account’ and a ‘pay and go’ purchasing option.
The HGV Levy driver and operator supplementary guidance offers details on how the levy operates and the changes introduced in February 2019. Our payment guide contains more information on ways to pay.
The foreign operator payment system is operated by Northgate Public Services on behalf of the Department for Transport.
HGV drivers and operators should also take note that:
• there is no physical sign of payment through the display of a paper disc, sticker or similar item
• payment of the levy is recorded in a database using the vehicle registration as the unique identifier
• a public web-based database is available to allow anyone to check the levy status of an HGV by entering its registration number
• the payment database enables authorities to identify and take necessary action where the levy has not been paid, or underpayment is suspected
• failure to pay the levy is a criminal offence, attracting a £300 fixed penalty notice – or in the case of foreign HGVs, a deposit taken at the roadside
• there are no caps to the value of daily, weekly and monthly levies that can be purchased for a specific vehicle
Background
The levy follows a consultation on charging heavy goods vehicles in early 2012 with its response published in October 2012. The levy was introduced by the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 and began on 1 April 2014.
