How much road tax does a motorcycle pay in the UK?

Motorcycles pay a fixed annual road tax rate regardless of engine size or CO2 emissions. The standard rate for motorcycles is GBP 49/year. Mopeds (under 50cc/45km/h) pay GBP 12/year. These rates have remained stable for many years. Motorcycle road tax is significantly cheaper than car road tax, which starts at GBP 180/year.

How do I tax my motorcycle in the UK?

You can tax your motorcycle online at GOV.UK/tax-vehicle using your vehicle registration number and a valid MOT certificate (if over 3 years old). You can also tax at a Post Office branch. You will need either a debit or credit card for payment. The previous owner's tax does not transfer — you must tax the motorcycle before riding it on public roads.

Do electric motorcycles pay road tax?

Electric motorcycles and mopeds pay the same standard rates as petrol-powered vehicles. There is no exemption for electric motorcycles from road tax. An electric moped pays GBP 12/year, and an electric motorcycle pays GBP 49/year. However, electric motorcycles are exempt from vehicle excise duty (VED) if registered as a invalid carriage or mobility vehicle.

Does motorcycle road tax include insurance?

No. Road tax and insurance are completely separate. Road tax (VED) is a government tax on the vehicle's road use, paid to DVLA. Insurance is a private contract between you and an insurance provider. You must have valid insurance before riding on public roads, and insurance costs are typically much higher than road tax for motorcyclists.

Is motorcycle road tax cheaper than car road tax?

Yes. Motorcycle road tax is significantly cheaper than car road tax. A motorbike costs GBP 49/year vs GBP 180/year for a typical car — a saving of GBP 131/year. A moped costs just GBP 12/year. This reflects the lower road wear and congestion impact of two-wheeled vehicles. The saving is substantial over multiple years of ownership.

UK Road Tax Motorcycles 2026 — Moped and Motorbike VED Rates

UK Road Tax Motorcycles 2026

Motorcycles and mopeds benefit from significantly lower road tax rates than cars. Understanding the fixed rates and how to tax your bike helps you budget for two-wheeled ownership. ITV.es and DGT.

Motorcycle Road Tax Rates

Fixed Annual Rates

Motorcycle road tax is a flat annual rate based on vehicle type, not CO2 emissions:

| Vehicle Type | Annual VED Rate |

|-------------|----------------|

| Moped (under 50cc / 45 km/h) | £12 |

| Motorcycle | £49 |

| Motor tricycle | £49 |

| Quadricycle | £49 |

These rates have remained unchanged for several years.

Why Motorcycles Cost Less to Tax

Motorcycles pay lower road tax because:

Lower road wear per vehicle
Reduced congestion impact
Smaller environmental footprint
Less wear on infrastructure

How to Tax Your Motorcycle

Online (GOV.UK)

1. Visit GOV.UK/tax-vehicle

2. Enter your motorcycle registration number

3. Confirm you have a valid MOT (if over 3 years old)

4. Pay the annual rate (£49 for motorcycles)

5. Receive confirmation by email

At the Post Office

1. Visit any Post Office branch

2. Bring your V5C registration document

3. Provide your registration number

4. Pay cash or card

5. Receive your tax disc (if applicable)

Direct Debit

You can set up annual direct debit for motorcycle tax:

Spreads cost over the year
Auto-renewal reminder
GBP 5-10 admin fee typically charged

Motorcycle Tax vs Car Tax

Annual Cost Comparison

| Vehicle Type | Annual Road Tax |

|-------------|----------------|

| Moped | £12 |

| Motorcycle | £49 |

| Small petrol car (Band C) | £180 |

| Average family car (Band E) | £195 |

| Large SUV (Band H) | £335 |

| Premium car over £40,000 | £205 |

Motorcycles save £131-286/year in road tax compared to typical cars.

5-Year Road Tax Comparison

| Vehicle | Annual | 5-Year Total |

|---------|--------|--------------|

| Motorcycle | £49 | £245 |

| Moped | £12 | £60 |

| Small petrol car | £180 | £900 |

| Family SUV | £195 | £975 |

| Premium SUV | £335 | £1,675 |

Over 5 years, motorcycle road tax is £655-1,430 cheaper than car road tax.

When MOT Is Required

Age-Based Rules

| Motorcycle Age | MOT Required |

|--------------|-------------|

| Under 3 years | No MOT required |

| 3 years and over | Annual MOT required |

You must have a valid MOT certificate to tax your motorcycle if it is over 3 years old.

Electric Motorcycles

Road Tax for Electric Bikes

Electric motorcycles and mopeds pay the same rates as petrol equivalents:

| Vehicle Type | Electric Equivalent | Annual VED |

|-------------|--------------------|-----------|

| Electric moped | 45 km/h max | £12 |

| Electric motorcycle | Any speed | £49 |

| Electric motor tricycle | 3 wheels | £49 |

There is currently no road tax exemption for electric motorcycles in the UK, unlike electric cars which benefit from lower first-year rates.

Should You Buy Electric?

Advantages of electric motorcycles:

Lower running costs (electricity vs petrol)
Reduced maintenance (no oil, chain wear reduced)
Quieter riding
Instant torque

Disadvantages:

Higher purchase price
Limited range
Charging infrastructure less developed than for cars
No road tax saving

Motorcycle Road Tax Exemptions

Who Does Not Pay

Some motorcycles are exempt from road tax:

1. Historic vehicles — over 40 years old (from 1 April 2024, this changed to rolling 40 years)

2. Mobility vehicles — registered for disabled users

3. Agricultural motorcycles — used primarily for agriculture

4. Steam-powered — antique steam motorcycles

Historic Motorcycle Exemption

Motorcycles registered before 1 January 1984 are exempt from road tax as historic vehicles. From 1 April 2024, the historic vehicle exemption moved to a rolling 40-year rule:

Motorcycles over 40 years old are exempt
Must be in a condition consistent with its age
Does not need to be original but must not be substantially changed

Taxing a New Motorcycle

When You Buy

Road tax does not transfer with the motorcycle:

1. The seller's tax expires immediately on sale

2. You must tax the motorcycle before riding it

3. Tax starts from the date you apply, not the purchase date

4. No refund is available for unused tax from the previous owner

Documents You Need

V5C registration certificate (log book)
Valid MOT certificate (if over 3 years old)
Debit/credit card or direct debit details
Insurance confirmation

Key Takeaways

1. Motorcycles pay £49/year — flat rate for all engine sizes

2. Mopeds pay £12/year — the cheapest vehicle road tax available

3. Motorcycles save £131/year vs the cheapest car road tax

4. Electric motorcycles pay the same as petrol equivalents

5. Historic motorcycles over 40 years old are road tax exempt

6. MOT required for motorcycles over 3 years old

7. Tax does not transfer — you must tax immediately on purchase

8. 5-year savings of £655-1,430 compared to car road tax

Motorcycle road tax is refreshingly simple — a flat £49/year regardless of engine size or power. This makes two-wheeled ownership significantly cheaper than cars from a road tax perspective, though insurance and safety considerations must also be factored in.

Official Resources: ITV.es - ITV Booking | DGT - Direccion General de Trafico

Understanding vehicle taxation is essential for every car owner in the United Kingdom. The vehicle excise duty system, commonly referred to as road tax, is administered by the DVLA and applies to all vehicles registered on UK roads. Whether you own a family car, a high-performance vehicle, or a commercial van, you must ensure your vehicle remains properly taxed throughout the year.