In this guide, we are going to take a closer look at motor tax in Ireland. Whether you have just brought your first car or have recently moved to Ireland, it is a legal requirement for your vehicle to have motor tax if it is being driven in a public place. You must also display a tax disc in the windscreen of your car as proof of payment. Not displaying a valid tax disc is considered a motoring offence and you can be issued with a €60 fine.
Motor tax applies to vehicles such as private cars, motorbikes, commercial vehicles, goods vehicles, taxis, agricultural vehicles, community buses and building construction vehicles.
Motor tax is collected by local authorities. Your local county council offices will offer counter services, but you can also tax your vehicle online and access a wide range of other services. In Ireland the website is called Motor Tax Online. You can use the website to perform tasks such as renewing motor tax, getting refunds, declaring a vehicle temporarily off the road, change of vehicle ownership and change of personal details.
How much is motor tax in Ireland for private cars?
Motor tax for privately owned cars is calculated in two different ways, depending on the age of your vehicle. Please scroll down to view our simple list of Irish motor tax rates.
If your car was registered before July 2008, the motor tax rate is calculated based on the engine capacity.
If your car was registered on or after 1st July 2008, the motor tax rate is calculated based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle.
Part 1: Rates based on CO2 emissions
| Band | CO2 Emissions | Annual Rate |
| A0 | 0 | €120 |
| A1 | 1-80g | €170 |
| A2 | 81-100g | €180 |
| A3 | 101-110g | €190 |
| A4 | 111-120g | €200 |
| B1 | 121-130g | €270 |
| B2 | 131-140g | €280 |
| C | 141-155g | €390 |
| D | 156-170g | €570 |
| E | 171-190g | €750 |
| F | 191-225g | €1200 |
| G | More than 225g | €2350 |
Electric car owners pay the lowest tax rate of all for their vehicles at €120 per year.
Part 2: Rates based on engine size
| Engine Capacity (CC) | Annual Rate |
| Not over 1,000 | €199 |
| 1,001 to 1,100 | €299 |
| 1,101 to 1,200 | €330 |
| 1,201 to 1,300 | €358 |
| 1,301 to 1,400 | €385 |
| 1,401 to 1,500 | €413 |
| 1,501 to 1,600 | €514 |
| 1,601 to 1,700 | €544 |
| 1,701 to 1,800 | €636 |
| 1,801 to 1,900 | €673 |
| 1,901 to 2,000 | €710 |
| 2,001 to 2,100 | €906 |
| 2,101 to 2,200 | €951 |
| 2,201 to 2,300 | €994 |
| 2,301 to 2,400 | €1,034 |
| 2,401 to 2,500 | €1,080 |
| 2,501 to 2,600 | €1,294 |
| 2,601 to 2,700 | €1,345 |
| 2,701 to 2,800 | €1,391 |
| 2,801 to 2,900 | €1,443 |
| 2,901 to 3,000 | €1,494 |
| 3,001 or more | €1,809 |
| Electric | €120 |
A motor tax disc can be issued for 3, 6 or 12 months, with the best value had when you pay a year at a time.
Commercial Motor Tax Rates
Electric light commercial vehicles (up to 1500kg) pay just €92 per year in commercial motor tax. Most light commercial vehicles powered by a combustion engine (up to 3000kg) pay €333 per year in commercial motor tax.
The annual rate for a vehicle between 4,000kg and 12,000kg is €500 and €900 for vehicles over 12,000kg.
Anything else?
If you sell your car or trade it in for a new one, you have to complete the change of ownership procedure. You won’t be able to tax your new vehicle until the change of ownership has been registered.
You can temporarily declare your vehicle off road and not pay motor tax for that period. You cannot drive the vehicle on a public road while it is declared off road. It must be done in advance by completing a form where you can select a period between 3 and 12 months. The declaration of non-use must be made in the same month that your current motor tax disc expires. If arrears in motor tax are due these must be paid in full and you must also pay a minimum of 3 months motor tax, before a declaration of non-use can be made.
You will find more information on Motor Tax Online. The Citizens’ Information website also has a lot of information on everything to do with motor tax in Ireland.