HGV Road User Levy in the UK

All you need to know about the HGV Road User Levy in the UK

The UK HGV Road User Levy is a time-based charge of up to £1,000 a year or £10 a day and will apply to all vehicles weighing 12 tonnes or more, using the UK road network.

What is the objective?

To make sure that operators from abroad are paying towards the cost of building and maintaining the UK’s roads as well as creating a level playing field for domestic operators.

Who is liable?

All UK and non UK vehicles weighing 12 tonnes and over using UK roads are liable as soon as they enter the UK territory. The Levy must therefore be paid before entering the UK.

How does it work?

All haulier companies will have to pay a charge for each one of their vehicles weighing over 12 tons using UK roads. This charge will be payable on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis for non UK companies. As for UK hauliers, they can pay the charge on a six-monthly or annual basis, in the same transaction as they pay the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

Important: the levy cannot be transferred between vehicles.

Where does it apply?

The charge currently applies to all public roads in the UK, including Northern Ireland. However, the Secretary of State may by order provide that the HGV Road User Levy Act does or does not apply to specified roads if required.

What is the cost?

• Download the HGV Levy Payment Guide here
• Vehicle Excise Duty for heavy goods vehicles

How is this tax collected?

Operators or drivers can purchase the levy in advance either online, by telephone or at point of sales terminals.

Northgate Public Services have been appointed to develop a foreign operator payment system for the HGV road user levy.

 UK HGVs

• Payment of levy alongside VED* in a single transaction

 Non UK HGVs

• Electronic payment via a Non UK Operator Payment System
• Payment system developed and operated by Northgate Public Services
  Visit the following website for more information www.hgvlevy.service.gov.uk/
• Credit card

Various payment channels including

• Pre-paid account
• BACs
• Credit card
• Fuel card
• Debit card
• Point of sale (incl. cash payment facility)

What are the risks?

Non-payment of the charge will be a criminal offence, which could result in a fine of £300. 

The user charge will be enforced by DVLA records, ANPR cameras and checks by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) at the roadside. VOSA would also be able to issue fixed penalties of £300 on the spot to non-compliant drivers (and take financial deposits from drivers based outside the UK).

Useful links for more detailed information

HGV Road User Levy Bill
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2012-2013/0077/20130077.pdf

Northgate Public Services
www.northgateps.com/

Pay the HGV levy
www.hgvlevy.service.gov.uk

 

HGV Levy Driver/Operator Supplementary Guidance
In English		In French
In German		In Spanish
In Hungarian		In Czech
In Italian		In Romanian
In Polish		In Bulgarian

Source: Department of Transport Press Release (28 February 2013).