UK petrol drivers are being slapped with new £210 Direct Debit charges this tax year.

The DVLA has now confirmed the second year licence rates for Vehicle Tax which will be levied against cars first registered on or after April 1, 2017, which will apply from April 1, 2026 onwards.

As verified by the RAC, from April 1, 2026, the standard tax rate for all petrol, diesel and hybrid cars registered after April 1, 2017, rises to £200 from the current £195. But for those paying in instalments by direct debit, the price will be increased even higher, at £210 for the year.

This is just for cars valued at under £40,000 (or £50,000 for an EV), when it was first sold. Those above the thresholds will pay an 'expensive car supplement' that will add another £440 to the annual cost.

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The RAC explains: "From April 1, 2026, the standard tax rate for all petrol, diesel or hybrid cars registered after April 1, 2017 rises to £200.

If you pay for six months' tax, it'll cost £110, or £105 if you opt to set up a direct debit. If you pay in 12 monthly instalments, your total car tax cost will be £210.

"If your vehicle had a list price that exceeded £40,000 when it was first sold (or £50,000 if your car is electric) then you may also be liable for the 'luxury car tax' fee, which now adds £440 to the vehicle's annual VED costs - taking it up to £640.

"You may pay less or more if your car was first used before 2017. The exact fee for your annual road tax will boil down to the year your car was first registered, the type of fuel it uses and its tailpipe emissions."

The RAC explains: "Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) - also known as car tax or road tax - is essentially a tax for using a vehicle on public roads in the UK.

"It was introduced in 1937 and replaced the old system of road tax, which traces its roots back to the taxation of Hackney Carriages in the 17th century.

"Each year, the DVLA collects around £5 billion in VED, but not all of this is spent on road improvements and infrastructure. In fact, VED is grouped in with other forms of tax, meaning the income from your road tax is just as likely to be spent on education or healthcare as it is on roads."