HGV night-out allowance explained (2026/27)
If you're tramping or on nights away, your night-out money can make a big difference to your take-home pay, because up to HMRC's benchmark it's paid without tax or National Insurance.
The HMRC benchmark rates
| Situation | Tax-free up to |
|---|---|
| No sleeper cab | £34.90 per night |
| Sleeper cab | £26.20 per night |
Anything an employer pays above these figures is usually taxed like normal pay.
Questions to ask before you accept
- Is the night-out paid on top of the hourly rate, or are some hours unpaid instead?
- Is it paid for every night out, including weekends parked up?
- Does it show as a separate line on the payslip?
See the difference it makes
Add your nights out in the take-home calculator. When you share your rate, include the night-out figure so other drivers can compare.
General information, not tax advice. HMRC rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current figures.