Tax Rebates for HGV and Lorry Drivers

HGV and lorry drivers spend long hours away from home and often pay for meals, overnight stays and work gear themselves. Many are entitled to tax relief they have never claimed. If you drive for a living, it is well worth checking whether HMRC owes you, because a claim can usually cover several years at once. This guide explains what HGV drivers can claim.

Why drivers are often owed a rebate

Driving jobs involve costs you cover yourself, particularly when working away from your base, and HMRC allows tax relief on many of them. It does not refund them automatically. Because the costs recur and you can backdate a claim by four tax years, the totals can be significant for drivers.

What HGV and lorry drivers can claim

Meals and overnight subsistence

When you are working away from your normal base, the cost of meals and overnight stays can often be claimed as subsistence, where you pay them yourself and are not fully reimbursed. For drivers doing regular long distance or overnight work, this is frequently the largest part of the claim. See our food and subsistence guide.

Uniform and protective clothing

If you maintain your own uniform or protective gear, such as branded workwear, safety boots or hi-vis, and wash or replace it yourself, you can claim the uniform maintenance allowance. See our uniform tax rebate guide.

Union fees and other costs

Subscriptions to an approved union relevant to your work, such as Unite, may qualify for tax relief. Certain other necessary work costs can also be claimable depending on your situation.

How much could a driver claim?

You receive tax relief at your tax rate, 20 percent or 40 percent. For drivers who regularly work away and pay for their own meals and overnight stays, the relief across the current year plus four previous years can be substantial.

How far back can I claim?

The current tax year plus the previous four. The oldest year drops off each 5 April, so claiming sooner protects an extra year.

How to claim your HGV driver tax rebate

You can claim directly from HMRC, or let TaxPro handle it. We assess your subsistence, uniform and other costs, claim every eligible year, and deal with HMRC for you. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so a percentage fee only applies once your refund is secured.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim for meals when working away?

Where you work away from your base, pay for your own meals and are not reimbursed, subsistence can often be claimed. Keeping records helps.

Does my employer’s overnight allowance affect my claim?

If your employer pays a tax free allowance that covers your costs, there may be nothing further to claim. If it does not, you may be able to claim the difference.

I am an agency driver. Can I claim?

If you are paid through PAYE and meet the conditions, the same reliefs generally apply.

How long does it take?

Once submitted, refunds usually come through in around 10 days, with the whole process often taking 8 to 10 weeks.

Drivers, check what you are owed

If you work away, pay for your own meals or maintain your own gear, there is a strong chance HMRC owes you.

Start your claim with TaxPro and we will work out everything you are entitled to, on a no win, no fee basis.

Related: browse all our tax rebates by job to find your trade.