What vehicle and travel costs can self-employed people claim?
If you are a self-employed sole trader or an individual in a business partnership, qualifying business travel costs can be deductible when calculating taxable profit.
HMRC currently lists potentially allowable costs including vehicle insurance, repairs, servicing, fuel, parking, hire charges, vehicle tax, licence fees and breakdown cover. Qualifying train, bus, air, taxi, hotel and overnight-business-trip meal costs can also be relevant. [oai_citation:1‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/travel?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
For your own vehicle, you may be able to calculate the deduction using HMRC's simplified mileage rate instead of calculating the allowable business share of the vehicle's actual costs.
What are the two main ways to calculate vehicle expenses?
Simplified expenses are optional. HMRC says qualifying sole traders and business partnerships without a company as a partner can use the flat-rate method. [oai_citation:2‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
What are the self-employed mileage rates for 2026/27?
For the 2026/27 tax year, HMRC's simplified mileage rates are: [oai_citation:3‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
| Vehicle | Business mileage | 2026/27 rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cars & goods vehicles | First 10,000 business miles | 55p per mile |
| Cars & goods vehicles | Business miles over 10,000 | 25p per mile |
| Motorcycles | All qualifying business miles | 24p per mile |
Before 6 April 2026, the first 10,000-mile rate for cars and goods vehicles was 45p. The 2026/27 rate is 55p, while the rate above 10,000 miles remains 25p. [oai_citation:4‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Self-employed mileage example
11,000 qualifying business miles
Suppose you drive 11,000 qualifying business miles in a car during 2026/27 and use simplified vehicle expenses.
1,000 × 25p = £250
Total mileage deduction = £5,750
HMRC currently uses this same 11,000-mile example in its simplified-expenses guidance. [oai_citation:5‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
What does the simplified mileage rate cover?
HMRC's simplified mileage method is intended to replace the detailed calculation of costs associated with acquiring, owning, hiring, leasing and using the relevant vehicle. [oai_citation:6‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/business-income-manual/bim75005?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
That means you should not use the mileage rate and then separately claim the same vehicle's covered costs such as:
- Fuel.
- Insurance.
- Repairs.
- Servicing.
- Vehicle purchase or depreciation-type costs.
- Hire or leasing costs covered by the mileage method.
55p per mile is not a fuel-only allowance
The simplified mileage rate represents a wider vehicle-cost deduction. You do not claim 55p per mile and then add the same vehicle's petrol, insurance, servicing and repair costs again.
What can you claim if you use actual vehicle costs?
If you do not use simplified mileage, qualifying actual business costs can potentially include vehicle insurance, repairs, servicing, fuel, parking, hire charges, vehicle tax, licence fees and breakdown cover. [oai_citation:7‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/travel?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
If the vehicle is also used privately, you need to restrict the deduction to the business element.
The tax treatment of buying the vehicle can also depend on the accounting method and type of vehicle. HMRC states that under traditional accounting, capital allowances can apply to business vehicles. Under the cash basis, cars generally continue to use capital allowances if simplified expenses are not being used, while other vehicle types can have different treatment. [oai_citation:8‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/travel?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
What counts as a business journey?
The key question is whether the travel is genuinely for the purposes of your trade.
Depending on your business, examples may include:
- Travelling to visit a customer or client.
- Travelling between business appointments.
- Travelling to a supplier.
- Travelling to collect business stock or equipment.
- Travelling temporarily to another business location.
The fact that a journey happens while you are self-employed does not automatically make it allowable.
Can you claim travel between home and work?
HMRC's general self-employed expenses guidance says travel between home and work cannot be claimed as an allowable travel expense. [oai_citation:9‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/travel?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Self-employed travel rules are fact-specific. A journey from home to a regular or normal place of business should not automatically be treated as deductible mileage merely because you are self-employed.
Can parking and other travel costs be claimed as well as mileage?
Yes, where they are qualifying business costs.
HMRC specifically says other travel expenses such as train journeys and parking can be claimed on top of simplified vehicle expenses. [oai_citation:10‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Qualifying costs can potentially include:
- Business parking.
- Train fares.
- Bus and tram fares.
- Air travel.
- Taxi fares.
- Hotel rooms for qualifying overnight business trips.
- Meals associated with qualifying overnight business trips.
Fines and penalty charges are not allowable travel expenses. [oai_citation:11‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/travel?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
What if the vehicle is also used privately?
Private journeys are not business mileage.
With the mileage method, only qualifying business miles go into the mileage calculation.
With the actual-cost method, you generally need to work out the appropriate business portion of mixed vehicle costs rather than claiming 100% of costs relating to a vehicle that is also used personally.
Can you switch from mileage to actual costs later?
HMRC places an important restriction on this.
Once you use flat-rate mileage for a vehicle, you generally continue with it
HMRC says that once the flat-rate method is used for a vehicle, it must continue to be used for that vehicle for as long as it is used in the business. [oai_citation:12‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
You do not, however, have to use simplified mileage for every vehicle in the business. HMRC allows different eligible vehicles to be dealt with differently, subject to the rules applying to each vehicle. [oai_citation:13‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
What mileage records should you keep?
If you use simplified vehicle expenses, HMRC says you should keep records of your business miles. [oai_citation:14‡GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
A practical mileage log should normally make it possible to identify why the journey was business-related.
Record the date
Keep the date of each qualifying business journey.
Record the journey
Note where you travelled from and to and the business reason for the journey.
Record the mileage
Keep the number of qualifying business miles so your annual flat-rate deduction can be calculated.
Retain supporting records
Keep relevant invoices, receipts and other evidence where you are claiming additional allowable travel costs.
For the wider rules on business expenses, see our Self-Employed Allowable Expenses Guide .
Reviewed & Updated
17 August 2026
2026/27
GO TAX REFUNDS
HM Revenue & Customs / GOV.UK
Vehicle-expense treatment depends on the vehicle, accounting method, business use and whether simplified expenses have already been adopted. This guide provides general information rather than determining the treatment of an individual journey or vehicle.
Self-Employed Mileage FAQs
What is the self-employed mileage rate for 2026/27?
For cars and goods vehicles, HMRC's simplified rate is 55p per business mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter. Motorcycles use 24p per qualifying business mile.
Can I claim petrol as well as 55p per mile?
Not for the same vehicle costs. The simplified mileage rate replaces the detailed calculation of the vehicle's covered running and ownership costs, including fuel.
Can I claim parking as well as mileage?
Qualifying business parking can be claimed in addition to simplified vehicle mileage. Parking fines and other penalties are not allowable travel expenses.
Can I claim mileage from home to work?
HMRC's general guidance says travel between home and work is not allowable. The treatment of particular journeys can depend on the nature and location of your business.
Do I need fuel receipts if I use simplified mileage?
The mileage deduction is calculated from qualifying business miles rather than individual fuel purchases. You should keep adequate records of your business mileage and retain evidence for other separately claimed business costs.
Can I change from mileage to actual costs each year?
Generally not for the same vehicle after adopting simplified mileage. HMRC says the flat-rate method must continue for that vehicle while it remains in the business.
Can I use simplified mileage for a van?
HMRC permits simplified mileage for eligible goods vehicles such as vans, subject to the rules on prior deductions and capital allowances.
HMRC & GOV.UK Sources
This guide is reviewed against HMRC guidance on self-employed vehicle costs and simplified mileage.
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