For years, business drivers across the UK have complained about the same thing.
45p per mile simply wasn’t realistic anymore.
Fuel costs surged. Insurance climbed. Servicing became more expensive. Tyres somehow started costing the same as small holidays.
Yet HMRC’s approved mileage rate barely moved.
Now, after more than 15 years, the government has finally increased the tax-free mileage allowance from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles.
And for many workers and sole traders, the difference is bigger than it sounds.
What the Mileage Allowance Actually Is
HMRC allows workers and self-employed people to claim mileage relief when they use their own vehicle for qualifying business journeys.
Official guidance: gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/vehicles-you-use-for-work.
The allowance is designed to help cover:
- • fuel
- • servicing
- • maintenance
- • insurance
- • depreciation
- • general wear and tear
From April 2026, the approved rate becomes:
| Mileage band | Old rate | New rate |
|---|---|---|
| First 10,000 miles | 45p | 55p |
| Over 10,000 miles | 25p | 25p |
Why This Matters More Than People Think
A lot of people hear “10p extra per mile” and assume it is minor.
But mileage accumulates frighteningly quickly.
Especially for:
- • tradespeople
- • care workers
- • consultants
- • CIS subcontractors
- • mobile engineers
- • sales reps
- • self-employed service businesses
Once you run the numbers properly, the increase becomes much more noticeable.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: The mobile consultant
A consultant covering 5,000 business miles a year.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Business mileage | 5,000 miles |
| Old allowance (45p) | £2,250 |
| New allowance (55p) | £2,750 |
| Difference | +£500 tax-free |
Example 2: The sole trader covering regional jobs
A sole trader travelling 9,000 business miles a year between regional jobs.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Business mileage | 9,000 miles |
| Old allowance (45p) | £4,050 |
| New allowance (55p) | £4,950 |
| Difference | +£900 |
Example 3: The high-mileage worker
Someone covering 15,000 business miles, where the two-tier rate kicks in — the first 10,000 miles at 55p, then the remaining 5,000 at 25p.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Business mileage | 15,000 miles |
| New total (55p + 25p) | £6,750 |
| Old total (45p + 25p) | £5,750 |
| Difference | +£1,000 per year |
The Hidden Problem: Most People Underclaim Anyway
This is where things get interesting.
A huge number of people never actually claim the full amount they are entitled to.
Common reasons include:
- • forgetting journeys
- • poor mileage logs
- • estimating later
- • mixing business and personal trips
- • assuming small journeys are not worth recording
Ironically, the people most worried about tax often completely neglect one of their biggest legitimate expense areas.
Why Sole Traders Need to Pay Attention
For self-employed people, mileage is often one of the easiest and cleanest expenses to claim.
And because it is calculated per mile rather than through individual receipts, it can simplify bookkeeping significantly.
But only if journeys are tracked properly.
This becomes even more important under:
- • Making Tax Digital
- • quarterly reporting
- • digital bookkeeping systems
The businesses already tracking mileage consistently will adapt far more easily than those still trying to reconstruct journeys months later.
Why Some People Still Think 55p Isn’t Enough
Despite the increase, many workers believe the rate still falls short of reality.
Modern driving costs now include:
- • higher insurance premiums
- • expensive repairs
- • finance costs
- • rapid depreciation
- • increased fuel volatility
Some estimates suggest true running costs for newer vehicles may sit closer to:
- • 70p–75p per mile
Especially for larger vehicles or EVs with high purchase costs.
That means even after the increase, some workers may still effectively subsidise work travel themselves.
What You Should Do Now
The rise in the mileage allowance means accurate tracking has become even more valuable.
The simplest improvements are:
Track mileage immediately
Not six months later.
Separate business and personal journeys
This avoids confusion if records are ever reviewed.
Use digital logs or apps
This becomes increasingly useful under Making Tax Digital.
Stop estimating
Estimated mileage is where many businesses lose money or create compliance problems.
Summary
The increase from 45p to 55p per mile is one of the most significant mileage allowance changes in years.
For workers and self-employed people regularly driving for business, it could mean:
- • hundreds of pounds in additional tax-free reimbursement
- • improved expense claims
- • more accurate business cost recovery
However, the real financial benefit depends heavily on one thing: actually tracking mileage properly.
Because even the best allowance is worthless if the journeys are never recorded in the first place.