HMRC Mileage Claim Calculator (2026/27)
The approved mileage rate for cars rose from 45p to 55p per mile in 2026/27 — the first change since 2011, applied retrospectively from 6 April 2026. Many websites still show 45p. Enter your business miles to calculate your claim at the correct official rates.
How it works
Cars and vans: 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles in the tax year, then 25p per mile above 10,000. Motorcycles are 24p and bicycles 20p per mile with no threshold. If you carry a colleague on a business journey, you can add 5p per passenger per mile.
If your employer reimburses you less than the approved amount, you can claim Mileage Allowance Relief on the difference from HMRC. If they pay you more than the approved amount, the excess is taxable.
Business miles means travel in the course of work — visiting clients, travelling between sites, temporary workplaces. Ordinary commuting between home and your permanent workplace does not count.
FAQ
What is the HMRC mileage rate for 2026/27?
For cars and vans it is 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles and 25p thereafter. The 55p figure is new for 2026/27 — the rate had been 45p since 2011, and the increase applies retrospectively from 6 April 2026. Motorcycles remain 24p and bicycles 20p.
The rate changed mid-year — what if I already claimed at 45p?
The increase to 55p was applied retrospectively to 6 April 2026, so journeys made earlier in the tax year qualify for the higher rate too. If you were reimbursed at 45p, you can claim Mileage Allowance Relief on the 10p difference through HMRC.
Can I claim mileage for commuting to work?
No. Ordinary commuting between your home and your permanent workplace is not business travel. You can claim for journeys to a temporary workplace, travel between work sites, and client visits. Self-employed people apply similar rules through simplified expenses.
What records do I need to keep for a mileage claim?
Keep a log of each business journey: date, start and end points, purpose, and miles driven. HMRC can ask for evidence, and a contemporaneous log is the strongest support. Claims can be backdated up to four tax years if you missed relief you were entitled to.