Motorcycle Road Tax and MOT: What Every Rider Needs to Know

How motorcycle road tax works and why it differs from car tax

Motorcycle road tax, formally known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), is calculated by engine size in cubic centimetres (cc). This is the key difference from car tax. Cars registered after April 2017 are taxed on CO2 emissions, so two cars of similar size can sit in different tax bands depending on how much carbon dioxide they emit. Motorcycles are not treated that way. A bike's tax band depends on its engine capacity, which makes the system simpler to understand and easier to predict when buying or selling a machine.

Because the bands are based on cc, the cost of motorcycle road tax rises in steps as engine size increases. A small commuter bike and a large touring machine can therefore have very different annual bills, even though both are taxed through the same DVLA system. Riders searching for how much is motorcycle tax uk should start by checking the engine capacity on the V5C, then match it to the current rate table.

2026/27 motorcycle tax rates by engine size

The 2026/27 rates below are set out in the Finance Act 2026. They apply to the annual VED charge for motorcycles and are the figures to use when budgeting for a bike's running costs.

The over 600cc figure is widely cited for 2026 from GOV.UK rate tables, but riders should confirm the authoritative amount at www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables before renewing. These motorcycle tax rates uk apply to a standard 12-month tax period. Riders who tax for six months pay a different amount, and the DVLA service shows the exact figure before payment.

How and when to tax a motorcycle

A motorcycle must be taxed before it is used or kept on a public road. To tax a motorcycle online, the rider needs a valid MOT certificate if the bike is over three years old, a valid insurance policy covering the machine, and either the V5C reference number or a DVLA reminder notice. The service is at www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax.

Tax does not transfer automatically when a bike changes hands. A new keeper must tax the motorcycle in their own name before riding it, even if the previous owner had paid for a full year. The DVLA reminder is normally sent before the current tax expires, and taxing online updates the record immediately. Anyone who needs to understand what happens when a vehicle is used without valid tax should read about the penalties for driving without tax or MOT.

Motorcycle MOT requirements and checks

A motorcycle requires its first MOT once it reaches three years old, the same age as a car. After that, an annual MOT is required to remain road-legal. This answers the common question do motorbikes need an mot: yes, from three years of age onwards, unless the machine qualifies for the historic exemption described below.

The DVSA publishes the items checked at a motorcycle MOT. These include lights, horn, steering, brakes, tyres, frame, fuel system, exhaust emissions, and chain, belt or shaft drive. These are the same categories listed on the GOV.UK page "Motorcycle parts checked at an MOT". A motorcycle mot uk test therefore covers the safety and environmental basics that keep a bike roadworthy.

Riders can carry out a free motorcycle mot check using the DVLA's online MOT history service. Entering the registration number and make shows past test results, recorded mileage and any advisories. This is useful before buying a used bike, and it helps a rider see whether a fault has been raised more than once. For a fuller guide to reading the document, see MOT certificate explained.

The 40-year historic exemption and SORN

Motorcycles registered more than 40 years ago are exempt from VED and from the MOT test, provided no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle. This is the same 40-year rolling historic exemption that applies to cars, and it is explained further in the guide to classic vehicle tax and MOT exemption.

Substantial changes generally means alterations to the frame, monocoque, chassis or running gear that go beyond normal maintenance and repair. A bike kept largely as it left the factory is more likely to qualify. Where a motorcycle is kept off the road and untaxed, a SORN must be declared. It is free and done via GOV.UK.

In summary, motorcycle road tax is based on engine size, with 2026/27 rates from £27 to approximately £111. Tax online with an MOT, insurance and V5C reference. Expect a first MOT at three years, then annually, and check any bike's history for free. Bikes over 40 years old with no substantial changes can be exempt from both VED and MOT, but a SORN is still required if the machine is off the road and untaxed.