The HGV Road User Levy will be introduced from 1 April 2014. This time-based user charge must be paid by both UK and foreign operators of vehicles at or above 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight using UK roads. UK operators pay to use many roads abroad, but foreign hauliers have not had to pay to use roads here. The levy will make the system fairer.
The level of charge reflects vehicle weight, vehicle type and axle configuration – from £85 to £1,000 per year.
For UK-registered lorries, the levy will be paid either annually or every six months. Payment will be in a single transaction to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) alongside Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) upon licence renewal, or at first licensing, from 1 April 2014. VED rates have been reduced so that at least 9 out of 10 operators will pay no more in a combined VED and levy payment, than they do now. We will enforce the levy in GB in partnership with the DVLA.
Foreign operators must pay the levy before their lorry uses UK roads – preferably online through an HGV Levy Payment Portal, but facilities will be available to make payments in person. The levy can be purchased on an annual, monthly, weekly or daily basis. Daily, weekly and monthly payments attract a premium compared to an annual payment.
We will lead on enforcing the levy among foreign lorries in GB, making checks as part of our existing roadside stops. The Department for Transport has funded additional resource to conduct targeted stops using live automatic number plate recognition.