As a legal requirement, taxing a vehicle is something everyone with a licence should be aware of.
This driving advice guide explains if you always need motorbike tax, if there are any exceptions, and how to how to do it.
Do I need motorbike tax?
Yes, to legally drive a motorbike in the UK, owners need to have valid tax to travel on public roads.
Also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), this annual tax must be kept up to date and is a responsibility of the driver.
It can be paid via the GOV.UK website every six or 12 months – or as a monthly direct debit.
How to tax a motorbike
You can tax your motorcycle in three different ways – online on the official GOV.UK website, speak to them over the phone, or by visiting a Post Office.
This process is very similar to taxing your car or other vehicle.
When it comes to motorbike tax, you must have valid insurance and MOT certificate (of the bike is over three years old). You will also need your V5C logbook (or a V5C new keeper slip if you’ve just purchased it).
Here is the step-by-step guide to paying for your motorbike tax:
- Go to gov.uk/vehicle-tax (official DVLA website)
- Click ‘Start now’
- Enter the 11-digit reference code on the V5C logbook
- Check your motorbike details are correct (make, model, age, etc)
- If this is all correct, then click ‘Confirm’
- Choose how to pay – monthly, every six months, every 12 months (there are direct debit options)
- Enter your payment details from your debit or credit card
- Confirm your payment and you will receive an email with all details
Alternatively, you can call the DVLA direct on 0300 123 4321 – just make sure you have your V5C, driver’s licence, MOT certificate, and bank details to hand.
If you are paying for your motorbike tax at the Post Office, you’ll need to bring your V5C logbook, driver’s licence, motorbike insurance details, and a way to make payment (cash, card, or cheque).
Do I need a logbook to tax a motorbike?
Yes, you will need your V5C logbook in order to tax your motorbike. This vehicle registration certificate has a 10-digit reference number that you’ll need to enter on the DVLA website when paying for your tax.
If you do not have a V5C logbook, you’ll need to pay £25 to the DVLA and get a new one delivered to you. This can take five to seven business days.
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How much is motorbike tax?
Here is how much you can expect to pay for your motorbike tax in 2025:
Motorcycle tax
| Engine size (cc) | Single 12 month payment | Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit | Total of 12 monthly instalments by Direct Debit | Single six month payment | Six months by Direct Debit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero emissions motorcycle | £26 | £26 | £27.30 | N/A | N/A |
| Not over 150 | £26 | £26 | £27.30 | N/A | N/A |
| 151-400 | £57 | £57 | £59.85 | £31.35 | £29.93 |
| 401-600 | £87 | £87 | £91.35 | £47.85 | £45.68 |
| Over 600 | £121 | £121 | £127.05 | £66.55 | £63.53 |
How much is tricycle tax?
Here is how much you can expect to pay for your tricycle tax in the UK in 2025:
Tricycles
| Engine size (cc) | Single 12 month payment | Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit | Total of 12 monthly instalments by Direct Debit | Single 6 month payment | 6 months by Direct Debit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero emissions | £26 | £26 | £27.30 | N/A | N/A |
| Tricycle not over 150 | £26 | £26 | £27.30 | N/A | N/A |
| All other tricycles | £121 | £121 | £127.05 | £66.05 | £63.53 |
How much is electric bike tax?
Yes, you have to pay for electric motorbike tax in the UK in order to legally drive on public roads.
In 2025, electric motorcycles moved to the annual rate for the smallest engine size.
This means an annual fee of £26 (paid annually of split every six months), or £27.50 total spread over monthly payments.
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Is my motorbike taxed?
To check to see if your motorcycle is taxed and you are legally allowed to dive on UK roads, you’ll need to visit the DVLA vehicle tax checker and enter your registration details.
If you are driving on the road without tax, then you could face an immediate £80 fine – that can rise up to £1,000 and prosecution.
The bike can also be seized by the police, and you’ll need to pay a fee to release it. There could also be a daily storage fee added on top of this.
Also, driving a motorbike that has been declared SORN could lead to a fine of £2,500 and further investigation by the police.
Motorbike tax exemptions
There are several reasons why you could be exempt from paying motorbike insurance.
These include various disabilities, if you drive a classic motorbike (over 40 years old), or drive an electric motorbike that gets it power from an external source or an electric storage battery that is not connected to any power source while in motion.
Even if there is nothing to pay, all motorbike drivers will need to register their vehicle as ‘taxed’ on the DVLA website every year.
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