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Car tax

Motorcycle tax rates for 2026/27

UK motorcycle tax ranges from £27 to £125 a year under DVLA's 2026/27 rates. Engine capacity determines the band, and zero emission motorcycles pay the lowest rate.
£27
Lowest annual motorcycle rate
DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)
£125
Annual rate over 600cc
DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)

Checked on 10 September 2026.DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)

How much is motorcycle tax by engine size?

Tax class 17 covers a motorcycle with or without a sidecar. The band is the engine capacity recorded for the motorcycle, not the rounded badge on the tank. Zero emission motorcycles pay the same annual figure as the not over 150cc row. The rates below are DVLA's 2026/27 figures from 1 April 2026. A motorcycle never uses the car CO2 bands, the expensive car supplement or the first year rate.

Twelve months up front, or a single annual Direct Debit, is the cheapest published route. Monthly Direct Debit totals 5 per cent more. Six month tax is published only from 151cc upwards. The two cheapest rows mark both six month columns as not available.

Motorcycle tax class 17 rates in force from 1 April 2026
Class12 months12 months by Direct Debit12 monthly instalments6 months6 months by Direct Debit
Zero emissionMotorcycle with or without a sidecar, tax class 17£27£27£28Not availableNot available
Not over 150ccMotorcycle with or without a sidecar, tax class 17£27£27£28Not availableNot 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
DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)

Can I tax a motorcycle for six months?

Only if it is over 150cc. DVLA marks six month tax as not available for zero emission motorcycles and for not over 150cc. The 151cc to 400cc row publishes a six month figure of £32.45. The 401cc to 600cc row publishes £49.50. Over 600cc publishes £68.75. Those six month prices are already more than half the annual rate.

Six month motorcycle tax in 2026/27
Band12 months6 months
Zero emission£27Not available
Not over 150cc£27Not available
151cc to 400cc£59£32.45
401cc to 600cc£90£49.50
Over 600cc£125£68.75

Taken from DVLA V149 from 1 April 2026. Not available is the official table's wording.

DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Pay your vehicle tax by Direct Debit (as of 10 September 2026)

How is a tricycle taxed?

Tax class 50 applies only where unladen weight is no more than 450kg. Zero emission and not over 150cc tricycles pay the same annual figure as the equivalent motorcycle rows. All other tricycles at or under 450kg pay £125 for twelve months. Cross 450kg unladen and DVLA says the vehicle must be taxed in the private and light goods class instead of class 50.

Private and light goods for a later vehicle at or under 3,500kg is class 39 at £360. A vehicle first registered before 1 March 2001 uses the engine bands, with the lower band at £230 when it is not over 1549cc. That is a large jump from class 50, so the unladen weight on the V5C is worth checking before you assume the tricycle table applies.

Tricycle tax class 50 rates for vehicles no more than 450kg unladen
Class12 months12 months by Direct Debit12 monthly instalments6 months6 months by Direct Debit
Zero emissionTricycle no more than 450kg unladen, tax class 50£27£27£28Not availableNot available
Not over 150ccTricycle no more than 450kg unladen, tax class 50£27£27£28Not availableNot available
All other tricyclesTricycle no more than 450kg unladen, tax class 50£125£125£131£69£66
DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)

How and where do I tax a motorcycle?

Tax it as the current keeper with the 11 digit V5C reference, or as a new keeper with the 12 digit green slip. Online at the GOV.UK vehicle tax service is the usual route and the only place to set up Direct Debit. Phone 0300 123 4321 accepts a V5C or a new keeper slip but cannot set Direct Debit up. A participating Post Office accepts a V5C, a green slip, or a V62 from the current keeper, and may ask for MOT evidence.

Northern Ireland Post Office applications also need the published insurance certificate and MOT or test exemption certificate. Tax does not transfer on sale. A motorcycle in the historic class still completes the tax process at the nil rate. Changing into the disabled tax class is done only at a Post Office. A fresh MOT can take up to two days to reach the tax service.

  1. Read the engine capacity, tax class and unladen weight on the V5C. Those decide the row.
  2. Have the 11 digit V5C reference, the 12 digit green slip, or a V11 reminder ready.
  3. Wait for a fresh MOT record if one is due. It can take up to two days to reach the tax service.
  4. Apply online, by phone on 0300 123 4321, or at a participating Post Office.
  5. Set up Direct Debit only on the website. Do not expect a six month option on zero emission or not over 150cc.
GOV.UK, Tax your vehicle (as of 10 September 2026); GOV.UK, Pay your vehicle tax by Direct Debit (as of 10 September 2026); GOV.UK, Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax (as of 10 September 2026)

Direct Debit, refunds and SORN on a motorcycle

A single annual Direct Debit matches the twelve month figure. Monthly instalments add 5 per cent, so over 600cc totals £131.25 rather than £125. You do not get that surcharge back if you later cancel the tax. Refunds are full months only, by cheque to the V5C address. Contact DVLA if the cheque has not arrived after 8 weeks.

A SORN motorcycle must be kept off the public road. The MOT journey exception is the only legal movement. Taking it off SORN means taxing it. A previous keeper's SORN ends on the sale. If you leave it with no tax and no SORN, the late licensing penalty is £80, or £40 within 33 days, issued from the register whether the bike has moved or not.

GOV.UK, Pay your vehicle tax by Direct Debit (as of 10 September 2026); GOV.UK, Cancel your vehicle tax and get a refund (as of 10 September 2026); GOV.UK, Register your vehicle as off the road (SORN) (as of 10 September 2026); GOV.UK, When you need to make a SORN (as of 10 September 2026); DVLA, DVLA enforcement of vehicle tax, registration and insurance offences (as of 15 July 2026)

What if this were a car instead of a motorcycle?

Motorcycles do not use the car systems. The three car examples below are the published car rates for the same years, so you can see the difference if the V5C class is a car, or if a tricycle over 450kg has moved into private and light goods.

Example

A 2015 diesel car at 125 g/km

First registered
2015
Fuel
Diesel
CO2
125 g/km
  1. As a car, 2015 sits in the lettered CO2 bands, not motorcycle class 17.
  2. 125 g/km is band D, 121 to 130 g/km.
  3. Band D is £170 for twelve months in 2026/27.

The car pays £170. A motorcycle of any size in class 17 pays one of the engine rows, with a ceiling of £125 over 600cc.

Example

A 2018 car with a £48,000 list price

First registered
2018
Original list price
£48,000
  1. As a car from April 2017, the standard rate is £200 from the second licence.
  2. List price over £40,000 adds the £440 supplement for 5 years.
  3. Motorcycle tax has no expensive car supplement and no first year rate.

The car's second licence is the two published figures added, £640. No motorcycle row in class 17 reaches that combined figure.

Example

A 1999 vehicle at 1,549 cc, including a heavy tricycle

First registered
1999
Engine size
1,549 cc
If a tricycle
Over 450kg unladen moves to private and light goods
  1. A 1999 car, or a tricycle over 450kg unladen, uses the private and light goods engine bands.
  2. 1,549 cc is not over 1549cc.
  3. The lower band is £230 for twelve months, matching £230 on the light goods table.

Pay £230 in private and light goods. A class 50 tricycle at or under 450kg would instead pay a class 50 figure of £125 if it is not in the two cheapest rows.

DVLA, V149: rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Budget 2025 overview of tax legislation and rates, Annex A: rates and allowances (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Vehicle tax rate tables (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Increase in the Vehicle Excise Duty Expensive Car Supplement threshold for zero emission cars (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Vehicle tax for electric, zero and low emission vehicles (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Pay your vehicle tax by Direct Debit (as of 1 April 2026); legislation.gov.uk, Finance Act 2025 section 66: rates of vehicle excise duty, omitting the reduced rate for alternative fuel vehicles (as of 1 April 2025); DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)

What goes wrong with motorcycle tax?

  • Using the badge on the fairing instead of the recorded capacity. A 149cc record and a 151cc record sit in different rows, and only the second has six month tax.
  • Assuming an electric motorcycle is still free. The zero emission row is a paid figure, and six month tax is not available on it.
  • Taxing a heavy trike in class 50. Over 450kg unladen it moves to private and light goods.
  • Driving away on the seller's remaining tax. Tax does not transfer. Use the green slip, or make a SORN.
  • Trying to set up Direct Debit by phone. Use the website. Phone is 0300 123 4321.
  • Leaving a bike untaxed in a shed. The late licensing penalty does not need a roadside sighting.
DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Tax your vehicle (as of 10 September 2026); DVLA, DVLA enforcement of vehicle tax, registration and insurance offences (as of 15 July 2026)

Common motorcycle tax myths

  • Small bikes can always be taxed for six months. Zero emission and not over 150cc cannot.
  • Electric motorcycles stayed exempt after 1 April 2025. They pay the published zero emission row.
  • A sidecar changes the tax class. Class 17 is with or without a sidecar. Unladen weight on a tricycle is the separate 450kg test.
  • Monthly Direct Debit costs the same as paying annually. It is 5 per cent more, and that surcharge is not refunded.
  • A SORN made by the seller covers the buyer. It ends on the sale.
DVLA, V149 rates of vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 (as of 1 April 2026); GOV.UK, Pay your vehicle tax by Direct Debit (as of 10 September 2026); GOV.UK, When you need to make a SORN (as of 10 September 2026); GOV.UK, Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax (as of 10 September 2026)

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, the same amount as the lowest engine band. Use the engine capacity recorded for the motorcycle, not the rounded badge on the bodywork. Those figures are DVLA's 2026/27 class 17 rates from 1 April 2026. A six month option is published only on the two larger bands above 150cc.
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 151cc to 400cc, 401cc to 600cc and over 600cc bands have six month options. A single annual payment, or a single annual Direct Debit, is the route for the two cheapest bands. Monthly Direct Debit remains available on every motorcycle row and totals 5 per cent more than the annual figure. Phone on 0300 123 4321 cannot set Direct Debit up.
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. Light zero emission vehicles lost the exemption on 1 April 2025. You still complete the tax process even on this low figure, because a missing licence is an untaxed motorcycle. Direct Debit can be set up online. Six month tax is not available on the zero emission row, so the annual licence is the published route.
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. That class uses engine size for vehicles first registered before 1 March 2001, and tax class 39 for later light goods vehicles at or under 3,500kg. A tricycle that has crossed the 450kg line is not in tax class 50. Check unladen weight on the V5C rather than guessing from the bodywork, and ask DVLA to correct the record if it is wrong.
Does motorcycle tax transfer when I buy the bike?
No. Tax does not transfer on sale. The seller's licence ends when the keeper changes, and DVLA refunds any full months left by cheque to the V5C address. Tax it in your name using the 12 digit green slip before you ride it, or make a SORN if it will stay off the public road. A current keeper uses the 11 digit V5C reference. Without the green slip a new keeper applies by post on form V62, usually £25, and cannot use the previous keeper's tax in the meantime.
How do refunds and SORN work on a motorcycle?
Sell, scrap, export or make a SORN and DVLA refunds any full months left. You do not get the 5 per cent Direct Debit surcharge back, or the extra on a six month licence, or any card fee. Contact DVLA if the cheque has not arrived after 8 weeks. A SORN motorcycle must be kept off the public road. The only legal movement is to or from a pre booked MOT or other testing appointment. Using it on a road for any other reason risks a court fine of up to £2,500 or five times the tax.
What happens if a motorcycle is left untaxed?
DVLA issues a late licensing penalty automatically when there is no tax and no SORN. That penalty is £80, reduced to £40 if you pay within 33 days. The motorcycle does not have to have been seen on a road. If it is then used or kept on a public road, an out of court settlement of £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding tax can follow, or a court penalty of £1,000 or five times the tax. A SORN bike used on a road other than for a booked test faces a court maximum of £2,500 or five times the tax.
Can I tax a motorcycle at the Post Office in Northern Ireland?
Yes, at a participating Post Office, with the extra Northern Ireland evidence GOV.UK publishes: the insurance certificate and MOT or test exemption certificate. In Great Britain a participating Post Office accepts a V5C, a green new keeper slip, or a V62 from the current keeper, and may ask for MOT evidence. Online remains the only place to set up Direct Debit. Phone 0300 123 4321 can tax the motorcycle but cannot set Direct Debit up. A fresh MOT record can take up to two days to reach the tax service.

Sources

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