The charge will vary depending on the size of the vehicle but will be up to £1000 per year, or £10 per day. The charges were brought in because UK hauliers often have to pay high charges to use roads in other EU Member States. However, foreign vehicles using UK roads pay nothing for their use.
By law there can be no discrimination between UK-registered vehicles and non-UK registered vehicles. For the vast majority of UK operators this will not mean an increase in costs as they will be compensated through a reduction in the Vehicle Excise Duty for the vehicle.
HGV levy rates are based on time, axles and weights with the heaviest vehicles that cause the most road damage paying the most. Annual levy payments range from £85 to £1000 but these rates are heavily discounted on those that apply for periods shorter than a year.
Non- payment of the levy is a criminal offence and will be dealt with £300 fixed penalty, non payment of this will result in the vehicle being immobilised, and a fine of up to £5000 if prosecuted.
Operators of UK- registered HGVs will be required to pay the levy at the vehicles next license renewal after 1st April. So a HGV that was relicensed for 12 months in January 2014, will continue with the current tax disc until 2015. The Levy is paid for at the same time as the VED (Road Tax) in one transaction, thereby avoiding any additional administration costs. DVLA will calculate the combined vehicle and levy payment and this will be shown on the tax disc.
Find out more about the HGV road user levy here