Taxing your motorcycle in the UK
Road tax or vehicle excise duty (VED) is a levy paid annually to the UK government through the DVLA for all vehicles registered for use in the UK – including motorcycles. The cost of your motorcycle tax will depend on your vehicle’s engine size.
In the UK, it’s against the law to ride a motorcycle on public roads without a valid road tax, insurance or MOT. It’s imperative to tax your motorcycle soon after its purchase, or you might be facing a fine.
Cost of road tax
Your motorcycle tax is determined by weight and engine size. The prices are reviewed and updated by the DVLA periodically. Below are the rates applicable from 1 April 2024 for tax class 17 motorcycles (with or without a sidecar, weighing no more than 450kg).
| Engine size below 150cc | Rate |
|---|---|
| Single 6 month payment | N/A |
| 6 months by Direct Debit | N/A |
| Single 12 month payment | £25 |
| Single 12-month payment by Direct Debit | £25 |
| Total of 12 monthly installments by Direct Debit | £26.25 |
| Engine size 151 to 400cc | Rate |
|---|---|
| Single 6 month payment | £30.25 |
| 6 months by Direct Debit | £28.88 |
| Single 12 month payment | £55.00 |
| Single 12-month payment by Direct Debit | £55.00 |
| Total of 12 monthly installments by Direct Debit | £57.75 |
| Engine size 401 to 600cc | Rate |
|---|---|
| Single 6 month payment | £46.20 |
| 6 months by Direct Debit | £44.10 |
| Single 12 month payment | £84 |
| Single 12-month payment by Direct Debit | £84 |
| Total of 12 monthly installments by Direct Debit | £88.20 |
| Engine size over 600cc | Rate |
|---|---|
| Single 6 month payment | £64.35 |
| 6 months by Direct Debit | £61.43 |
| Single 12 month payment | £117 |
| Single 12-month payment by Direct Debit | £117 |
| Total of 12 monthly installments by Direct Debit | £122.85 |
Motorcycles over 450kg must be taxed in the PLG tax class (tax class 11)
Article written by Nige.
Last update: May 2025
Nige has toured most of the UK and Europe, he aspires to a round the world motorbike trip but for now is settling for any trip he can get, you can be assured that what ever family holiday is being planned, Nige is looking at it from a bike ride aspect.
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