10 things you need to know about motorbike road tax

As a rider, you’ll know there’s a lot more to bike ownership than just donning the leathers and hitting the road. There’s maintenance, security and fuel to think about, not to mention the all-important protection provided by a motorbike insurance policy. And on top of all that, you need to make sure you tax your motorcycle.

Sorting out bike tax can seem complicated, but at Carole Nash we believe in making our customers’ lives as easy as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide, answering some of the most frequently asked questions as well as covering 10 things you need to know about motorcycle tax.

Do motorbikes need road tax?

In a word, yes. You must always register for bike road tax, although in some cases there won’t actually be anything to pay. For example, if you are registered as disabled, own an electric bike or your ride is deemed a classic, you will not have to pay to tax your motorcycle.

How much is motorbike tax?

That will depend on the size of your bike’s engine – see point number four below for more information. And as we’ve already mentioned, there may even be nothing to pay in motorcycle tax if yours falls under the exemption criteria.

Can I ride my motorbike to its MOT without tax?

Yes, you can ride to a pre-booked MOT appointment without having your bike tax in place. This is one of the few exemptions allowed by UK law. However, if the journey is unreasonably long or you use the trip for other means, you could still be considered to be breaking the law.

Is my bike taxed? How do I check?

It’s perfectly easy to check if your bike is taxed. All you have to do is head to the government website via the link provided, enter the registration number and you’ll be given an answer in a matter of seconds.

What you need to know about motorcycle tax

So, those are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about taxing your motorcycle. But we understand you might want even more information, so here are our 10 things you need to know:

1. It’s had a name change

Road tax is now called Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), although you still may hear people refer to it as road tax.

2. Paper tax discs were abolished in 2014

Not only are paper tax discs a thing of the past, but the VED no longer transfers automatically when you sell the vehicle. You also need to get your own VED if you change your bike.

3. There’s no tax for motorbikes more than 40 years old

For tax purposes, classic motorbikes are deemed as those that are more than 40 years old. If your ride falls into that bracket, you still have to be registered for motorcycle tax, but you don’t have to pay for it.

4. The amount you pay is based on the engine capacity

Cars are taxed according to how much CO2 they produce. But to tax a motorbike, it’s all about engine size (cc):

• Up to 150cc = £21 (annual rate) / n/a (6-month rate)
• 151-400cc = £45 (annual rate) / n/a (6-month rate)
• 401-600cc = £69 (annual rate) / £37.95 (6-month rate)
• Over 600cc = £96 (annual rate) / £52.80 (6-month rate)

5. Even the most expensive bikes only cost 26p per day

And the cheapest motorcycle road tax costs just 5p per day. The money you pay goes towards the upkeep of our roads and the building of new ones.

6. It’s easiest to sort out your bike tax online

It takes less than five minutes to tax your motorcycle online. All you need is a reference number from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). If you don’t have a reference number, you’ll need:

• Your vehicle’s logbook (V5C) or the green new keeper’s details’ slip (V5C/2)
• A valid MOT certificate (if the bike is more than three years old)
• Proof of insurance

7. But you don’t have to tax your motorbike online

It may be the easiest way, but you don’t have to tax your motorbike online. You can also do it at the Post Office or by ringing up the DVLA. The choice is yours!

8. If you buy a used bike you will need to tax it before riding

Use the reference number on the new keeper supplement (V5C/2) from the logbook.

9. You can get a refund from the DVLA

If you sell your ride, you will automatically receive a refund from the DVLA for any full months’ bike tax remaining. However, this will only apply from the time the DVLA is notified of the sale.

10. Not having motorcycle tax could affect your insurance

Having no VED doesn’t automatically invalidate your insurance. However, you should check the small print of your policy because every insurer is different. Some may have a clause that says your vehicle must be completely road legal and compliant with VED for your cover to be valid.