Motorcycle Road Tax: How Much by Engine Size
Motorcycle road tax (vehicle excise duty, or VED) depends on one thing: the engine size. These are the official rates from GOV.UK, checked on 7 October 2026. DVLA usually changes the amounts each April.
Motorcycle tax rates
| Engine size | 12 months | 6 months | Monthly Direct Debit (year total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (zero emission) | £27 | Not available | £28.35 |
| Up to 150cc | £27 | Not available | £28.35 |
| 151cc to 400cc | £59 | £32.45 | £61.95 |
| 401cc to 600cc | £90 | £49.50 | £94.50 |
| Over 600cc | £125 | £68.75 | £131.25 |
The same rates apply with a sidecar. Source: GOV.UK vehicle tax rate tables.
Which band is my bike in?
The engine size is on the V5C logbook, as the cylinder capacity in cc. Some common examples:
- A 125cc learner bike, such as a Honda CB125F: £27
- Kawasaki Ninja 400 (399cc): £59
- Honda CB500F (471cc): £90
- A "600" sports bike such as a Yamaha R6 (599cc): £90 - it's just under the line
- Yamaha MT-07 (689cc), or anything else over 600cc: £125
Paying monthly or every six months
- 12 months in one go, or by annual Direct Debit, costs the same - the cheapest way to pay.
- Monthly Direct Debit costs 5% more over the year: £131.25 instead of £125 for a bike over 600cc.
- Six months at a time costs more again over a year - two lots of £68.75 is £137.50 - and isn't offered at all for bikes up to 150cc or electric bikes.
Electric motorcycles
Electric (zero-emission) motorcycles pay the lowest rate, £27 a year - the same as a bike up to 150cc.
Who doesn't pay
- Historic bikes. A motorcycle built more than 40 years ago can go into the historic vehicle tax class and pay nothing - but you still have to tax it in that class; it doesn't happen by itself.
- Bikes off the road. Declare it SORN and there's no tax to pay - but it can't be ridden or kept on a public road.
Buying or selling a used motorcycle
- Tax doesn't transfer. Once DVLA is told about the sale, the seller gets a refund for any full months left.
- Tax it before you ride it away, using the reference number on the green new keeper slip from the V5C. It takes a few minutes online.
- Check any bike's tax status free on GOV.UK by registration - or run the registration through RoadVerdict's free motorcycle history check for the MOT history too.
Tricycles
Tricycles up to 450kg unladen pay £27 a year up to 150cc or if electric, and £125 for all others.
Road tax is the smallest part
Tax is the one fixed, predictable bill - servicing, tyres and insurance usually cost far more. For the whole picture, try the motorcycle running cost calculator, see what a motorcycle MOT costs, or read the real cost of owning a motorcycle. And so the renewal never sneaks up on you, set a tax reminder in a free logbook.
Common questions
How much is road tax on a 125cc motorcycle?
£27 a year - every bike up to 150cc is in the lowest band. Paid by monthly Direct Debit it comes to £28.35 over the year.
How much is road tax on a 600cc motorcycle?
A bike of 600cc or less pays £90 a year; anything over 600cc pays £125. Most "600" sports bikes are actually 599cc, so they pay £90.
Do electric motorcycles pay road tax?
Yes. Electric (zero-emission) motorcycles pay the lowest rate, £27 a year - the same as a bike up to 150cc.
Can I pay motorcycle tax monthly?
Yes, by Direct Debit - it costs 5% more over the year. For a bike over 600cc that's £131.25 instead of £125.
Does road tax transfer when I buy a used motorcycle?
No. Tax never comes with a vehicle any more: the seller gets a refund for any full months left, and you tax it yourself before you ride it away.
Rates from GOV.UK, checked 7 October 2026. Always check GOV.UK for the current figure before you pay.