British drivers taking their cars on holiday to Europe could be hit with a double tax bill under the government's proposed new pay-per-mile road pricing scheme, according to motoring experts and industry critics.
The Core of the Controversy
The proposed system, championed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, would see drivers charged a tariff for every mile they travel. However, a significant flaw has emerged: the 3p per mile charge would continue to apply even when vehicles are being driven on foreign roads, such as during a continental holiday. This means UK road users would effectively be paying tax to both the British and foreign governments for the same journey.
To illustrate the potential cost, a classic 1,530-mile round trip from Calais to the French Riviera and back would incur an extra £45.90 in UK mileage charges. This would be on top of existing costs like France's 'péage' motorway tolls, leading to the double taxation scenario.
Industry and Expert Backlash
The policy has drawn sharp criticism from leading motoring organisations and commentators. Edmund King, the president of the AA, stated plainly that the failure to discount foreign mileage was "unfair and a huge flaw." He highlighted the practical nightmare of enforcement, questioning how officials would check and certify a vehicle's mileage every time it left the country via ports like Dover.
Paul Barker, managing editor of Auto Express magazine, echoed this sentiment. He argued that charging for foreign travel "would clearly be unfair and a huge flaw in the system", emphasising that it is unreasonable to tax drivers for using infrastructure they have not contributed to through UK taxes.
From a business perspective, Paul Holland of fleet payments firm Corpay pointed out that the UK's geographical position makes this particularly penalising. "The UK’s close proximity to Europe and Ireland will materially penalise people who take their cars abroad," he said. Brian Macdowall of the Association of British Drivers was even more blunt, labelling the entire pay-per-mile plan "utterly illogical" and warning of a "seriously inconvenient" bureaucratic regime.
Government Stance and Motorist Concerns
When approached for comment, a Treasury spokesman defended the principle of the policy, stating: "Just as it is right to seek a tax system that fairly funds roads, infrastructure and public services, we will look at further support measures to make owning electric vehicles more convenient and more affordable."
Despite this assurance, the central issue of double taxation for driving abroad remains unaddressed in the government's current statements. For UK families planning European road trips or individuals who regularly drive across the Irish border, the proposed scheme could add a significant and controversial new layer of holiday cost and administrative hassle, casting doubt on its public acceptance.
