The HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 imposes charges for vehicles over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight for using UK roads.  The act applies to UK and non-UK registered vehicles. The charges vary from £85 to £1000 per annum according to weight, type of vehicle and axles.

Operators with UK-registered HGVs will pay the fee with their vehicle excise duty every six or twelve months. Whereas foreign operators will have to pay in advance for use of UK roads on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis.

It is understood that fixed penalty fines of £300 and fines of up to £5000 may be applied for using a vehicles when the levy has not been paid.

Operators with UK-registered vehicles do not have to take any specific action on 1 April 2014. They will transfer to the new system when the vehicle excise duty (tax disc) comes up for renewal and the levy will be applied then. Operators of non UK-registered HGVs cannot lawfully use UK roads without paying the levy.

The measures were introduced to help level the playing field for UK operators that must pay to use roads in some European countries.

For more information read the DfT's guide.