Quick Answer – Road Tax in Ireland
Road tax in Ireland (motor tax) is calculated based on:
- Engine size for cars registered before July 2008
- CO₂ emissions (NEDC) for cars registered 2008–2020
- CO₂ emissions (WLTP) for cars registered from 2021
Costs range from €120 per year for electric cars up to €2,400 for high-emission vehicles. Road tax is mandatory if you want to use the roads in Ireland. We’ve put together an ultimate guide to road tax, including how it’s calculated, how to pay, and how often you need to renew. Find the relevant section for your needs and master road tax.
What Is Road Tax in Ireland?
Road tax in Ireland, officially called motor tax, is a legal requirement for all vehicles used on public roads. It must be paid in order to drive legally, and failure to do so can result in fines or penalties.
How Road Tax Is Calculated In Ireland
How Road Tax Is Calculated in Ireland
Road tax in Ireland is calculated differently depending on when your car was first registered:
- Before July 2008 → Based on engine size (cc)
- July 2008 – December 2020 → Based on CO₂ emissions (NEDC)
- From January 2021 → Based on CO₂ emissions (WLTP)
Road Tax Rates by Emissions
For modern cars, road tax is based on CO₂ emissions:
- 0 g/km (Electric): €120
- 1–50 g/km: from €140
- 51–110 g/km: €150–€180
- 111–150 g/km: €190–€270
- High emissions: up to €2,400 per year
How Much Does Road Tax Cost?
Categories range from under 1,000cc to 3,000 cc and more. You can find out your engine size with a simple Google search or by visiting your car handbook. The cheapest you are likely to pay is as low as €199 and can reach upwards of €1,809. The most common engine size in Ireland is 1,600cc, which categorises smaller models with slightly larger engines and SUVs. This bracket equals a car tax fee of €544. To take a closer look at the different categories and how this impacts your prices, Kildare County Council have put together a useful graph for you to use.
Special Road Tax Categories
- Electric vehicles → €120 per year
- Vintage vehicles (30+ years) → €56 per year
- Motorcycles → fixed rate depending on engine size
How To Pay Road Tax
You have a couple of options when it comes to paying your car tax, either online or in person. If you choose the online route, you can pay road tax via Motor Tax Online. To do this, you’ll need:
- Your vehicle registration.
- Personal identification number (PIN).
- Email address.
- Payment method.
If you prefer the in-person, face-to-face option, you can always choose to pay in person. This can be done at any tax office, which you can find via the Irish Tax and Customs Revenue website here. Simply choose the section that applies to your needs and find the nearest office for your payment. In order to pay car tax in person, you will need the right tax form and fee. The form you require changes depending on your circumstances, with first-time drivers needing a First Motor Tax Application Form RF100. If you are renewing tax and none of your details (address, type of car etc.) have changed, you can use a Motor Tax Renewal Form RF100A or RF100B. If your car has changed, you need to register the new vehicle, and at this point can complete RF100A or RF100B.
How Often Do You Pay Road Tax?
Road tax comes around sooner than you’d think. Depending on your car, you will have to renew either every three, six or twelve months. You can find out how often your car is taxed by visiting the Motor Tax Online checker. Making sure you pay online can seem daunting, but you can rely on a reminder one month before the renewal is due to keep you up to date.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Road Tax?
Driving without valid road tax is an offence in Ireland. You may receive fines, and your vehicle can be seized if tax is not paid.
Simple Summary
- Road tax is mandatory in Ireland
- Old cars → taxed by engine size
- Newer cars → taxed by emissions
- Cheapest tax → electric vehicles (€120/year)
- Highest tax → high-emission cars (up to €2,400/year)
Sounding Off On Car Tax In Ireland
Car tax is a necessary for all drivers and making sure you’re not only on time but also paying the right price is key. Our piece should answer these questions for you, and the provided links point you in the right direction to master road tax with ease.