Motor Tax Calculator Ireland 2026

Estimate your annual road tax — a recurring charge separate from VRT — by engine size or CO₂ band, depending on when your car was first registered.

Motor Tax ≠ VRT

VRT is a once-off registration tax paid at import. Motor tax is a recurring annual charge to keep the car legally on the road, renewed every year (or half-year/quarterly). See our VRT calculator for the once-off registration cost.

Motor Tax Estimator

CO₂ figure in g/km from your Certificate of Conformity

Estimate only. Confirm the exact figure for your specific vehicle on motortax.ie.

Which System Taxes Your Car?

Ireland runs three parallel motor tax systems, depending on your car's first registration date:

Before July 2008

Taxed on engine size (cc). Rates run from €199/year (up to 1,000cc) to €1,809/year (over 3,000cc).

Jul 2008 – Dec 2020

Taxed on the NEDC CO₂ figure (g/km), from €120/year (0-1g/km) to €2,400/year (226g/km+).

Jan 2021 onward

Taxed on the WLTP CO₂ figure (g/km), a stricter test than NEDC — the same CO₂ number can fall into a different band depending on which test applies.

Rates shown are estimates cross-checked against publicly published bands. Motor tax bands and exact figures for your specific vehicle are confirmed on motortax.ie.

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Car VRT Calculator Ireland

Once-off registration tax — different from annual motor tax.

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Electric Car VRT Calculator

EV-specific VRT rates and relief.

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NOx Levy Calculator

Calculate the specific NOx emissions tax for your import.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between motor tax and VRT?

VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) is a once-off tax paid when you first register a car in Ireland. Motor tax is a separate, recurring annual (or half-year/quarterly) charge you pay to keep the car legally on the road, based on engine size or CO₂ emissions depending on the registration date.

How do I know which system taxes my car — cc, NEDC, or WLTP?

It depends on your first registration date: before July 2008 uses engine size (cc); July 2008 to December 2020 uses the NEDC CO₂ figure; January 2021 onward uses the WLTP CO₂ figure. Check your V5C or logbook for the registration date.

How much is motor tax on an electric car?

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with 0g/km CO₂ pay a flat €120 per year, the lowest rate available, regardless of which of the three tax systems would otherwise apply.

Can I pay motor tax half-yearly or quarterly?

Yes. Motor tax can be paid annually, half-yearly, or quarterly, though paying more frequently than annually costs slightly more overall due to an administrative surcharge — the half-year and quarterly figures shown here are estimates; confirm the exact amount for your vehicle on motortax.ie.

Did motor tax rates change in Budget 2026?

No. Budget 2026 left motor tax rates unchanged for the third consecutive year — no increases or decreases to any band.

Where do I actually pay my motor tax?

Motor tax is paid online at motortax.ie (the official Department of Transport portal) or in person at your local Motor Tax Office. You'll need your vehicle registration number and a PIN or renewal notice.