What Is the HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance?
The Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) scheme is HMRC's way of allowing self-employed individuals to claim a flat-rate deduction for using their vehicle for business. Instead of keeping receipts for every tank of fuel, every service, every tyre replacement, you claim a single per-mile rate that covers all those costs.
📋 2025/26 AMAP Rates (Cars & Vans)
First 10,000 business miles: 45p per mile
Every mile above 10,000: 25p per mile
These rates have remained unchanged since 2011. They are intended to cover fuel, depreciation, insurance, servicing, and all other running costs in one simple figure. For self-employed drivers, the total AMAP relief can easily reach £4,500–£9,000 per year.
A Worked Example
Suppose you drive 18,000 business miles in the 2025/26 tax year:
| Miles | Rate | Relief |
|---|---|---|
| First 10,000 miles | × £0.45 | £4,500.00 |
| Remaining 8,000 miles | × £0.25 | £2,000.00 |
| Total Mileage Relief | £6,500.00 | |
This £6,500 is deducted from your gross income before tax is calculated, directly reducing your taxable profit — and therefore your Income Tax and Class 4 NI bill.
What Counts as Business Mileage?
For self-employed drivers, the definition of business mileage is straightforward: every mile driven in the course of your trade. This includes:
- All miles driven while carrying passengers (active jobs)
- Miles driven while waiting for jobs (dead miles between jobs)
- Miles driven to and from areas where you expect to find fares or receive app assignments
- Trips to licensing offices, mechanics, or other business-related destinations
The commute from your home to a fixed regular place of work is typically not allowable. However, for most self-employed drivers the vehicle itself is the workplace, so virtually all driving qualifies as business mileage. If you also use the vehicle privately, you must exclude those miles.
AMAP vs Actual Costs: Which Should You Choose?
You cannot use both methods for the same vehicle. Once you begin using the mileage allowance method for a vehicle, you must continue with it unless you change vehicles. Here is a rough guide:
- Choose AMAP if: your mileage is high, your vehicle has relatively low running costs, you want simplicity, or you have limited receipts
- Choose actual costs if: you have a high-cost vehicle, unusually high insurance or maintenance bills, or you already track every expense meticulously
In practice, most Uber, taxi, and delivery drivers benefit more from AMAP. Use our calculator to see the impact on your take-home pay.
How to Keep a Mileage Log
HMRC requires a contemporaneous mileage log — meaning you record journeys as they happen, not after the fact. Your log should include:
- Date of journey
- Start and end location (or postcodes)
- Business purpose (e.g., "passenger transport — Uber job")
- Start and end odometer reading
- Miles driven on that journey
For rideshare and delivery drivers, many platform apps record trip data. Downloading your annual trip history is a good starting point, but it typically only records active job miles — not deadheading miles between jobs, which are also claimable. A dedicated mileage tracking app or manual log is more comprehensive.
Motorbike and Bicycle Rates
Different rates apply if you use a motorbike (24p/mile, flat rate) or bicycle (20p/mile, flat rate) for business. Delivery cyclists and motorcyclists should use these rates instead of the car/van rates above.
Calculate Your Mileage Relief Now
Enter your annual business mileage into our free calculator to see exactly how much HMRC mileage relief you're entitled to — and your estimated take-home pay.
Open Free Tax Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim mileage from my home to my first job of the day?
For self-employed drivers, the journey from home to pick up your first passenger or deliver your first parcel is generally considered business mileage, as there is no fixed "workplace" to commute to. However, if you have a fixed depot or office you must attend before starting work, those miles may not qualify. When in doubt, consult a tax adviser.
What if I drove more than 10,000 miles but forgot about the threshold?
HMRC's threshold is applied per tax year (6 April to 5 April). Keep a running total of your miles throughout the year so you know when you cross the 10,000-mile mark and the rate drops from 45p to 25p.
Can I claim mileage on a leased or hired vehicle?
Yes. The AMAP scheme applies to any car or van you use for business, regardless of whether you own, lease, or hire it. You cannot claim the lease cost separately if you also claim AMAP — choose one method.