From 1 April 2017, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and road user levy rates will be frozen for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in 2017 to 2018, as announced at spring Budget
In spring 2017, the government will launch a call for evidence on updating the existing HGV road user levy. It will work with the industry to update the levy so that it rewards hauliers that plan their routes efficiently, to offer an incentive to the efficient use of roads and improve air quality.
The HGV road user levy requires all HGVs at or above 12 tonnes using UK roads to pay the charge, which is structured in a series of bands to reflect vehicle type, maximum weight and axle configuration.
The levy rates are the same for foreign and UK-registered HGVs, which the government says removes the previous inequality where UK hauliers paid tolls and levies to use roads abroad but foreign hauliers faced no charges to drive on the UK road network.
Non-payment of the levy is a criminal offence. The offence will generally be dealt with at the roadside with a fixed penalty notice of £300.
VED and HGV road user levy rates can be calculated using the tables found here.
