Car tax
Motorcycle tax rates for 2026/27
Engine capacity sets the rate for tax class 17. Zero emission motorcycles now pay the same rate as machines no larger than 150cc.
£27
£125
Checked on 7 September 2026.DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)
The complete motorcycle tax table
| Class | 12 months | 12 months by Direct Debit | 12 monthly instalments | 6 months | 6 months by Direct Debit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero emissionMotorcycle with or without a sidecar, tax class 17 | £27 | £27 | £28 | Not available | Not available |
| Not over 150ccMotorcycle with or without a sidecar, tax class 17 | £27 | £27 | £28 | Not available | Not available |
| 151cc to 400ccMotorcycle with or without a sidecar, tax class 17 | £59 | £59 | £62 | £32 | £31 |
| 401cc to 600ccMotorcycle with or without a sidecar, tax class 17 | £90 | £90 | £95 | £50 | £47 |
| Over 600ccMotorcycle with or without a sidecar, tax class 17 | £125 | £125 | £131 | £69 | £66 |
The complete tricycle tax table
| Class | 12 months | 12 months by Direct Debit | 12 monthly instalments | 6 months | 6 months by Direct Debit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero emissionTricycle no more than 450kg unladen, tax class 50 | £27 | £27 | £28 | Not available | Not available |
| Not over 150ccTricycle no more than 450kg unladen, tax class 50 | £27 | £27 | £28 | Not available | Not available |
| All other tricyclesTricycle no more than 450kg unladen, tax class 50 | £125 | £125 | £131 | £69 | £66 |
Reading the table
- Use the engine capacity recorded for the motorcycle, not the rounded badge on the bodywork.
- A single annual payment and a single annual Direct Debit cost the same. Twelve monthly instalments total 5 per cent more.
- The two cheapest bands have no six month option. Not available is taken directly from the official table.
- A tricycle over 450kg moves into the private and light goods class instead of tax class 50.
Common questions
- How much is motorcycle tax in 2026/27?
- Twelve months costs £27 up to 150cc, £59 from 151cc to 400cc, £90 from 401cc to 600cc and £125 over 600cc. A zero emission motorcycle is £27.
- Can I tax a small motorcycle for six months?
- Not in the zero emission or not over 150cc rows. DVLA marks both six month payment columns as not available for those motorcycles. The larger engine bands have six month options.
- Are electric motorcycles still tax exempt?
- No. The 2026/27 V149 table sets the 12 month zero emission motorcycle rate at £27, the same amount as the lowest engine band.
- How is a heavy tricycle taxed?
- The tricycle table applies only where unladen weight is no more than 450kg. DVLA says motorcycles and tricycles over 450kg must be taxed in the private and light goods class.