| By Chandraketu Tripathi | Updated April 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motorcycles, scooters and mopeds are subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) — road tax — just like cars. The rates are much lower than car VED and are based on engine size rather than CO2 emissions. Here are the exact 2026/27 rates from the official DVLA V149 table, how to tax your bike and what the SORN rules mean for seasonal riders. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Verdict 2026 VED from: £27/year (up to 150cc) | Maximum: £125/year (over 600cc) | Tax online: gov.uk/vehicle-tax | Seasonal riders: SORN while not riding | Historic bikes (40yr+): exempt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Motorbike VED Rates 2026/27 (Official DVLA V149) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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How to Tax Your Motorcycle UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SORN for Seasonal Riders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Many motorcyclists only ride in spring and summer. You can declare a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) for the winter months to avoid paying VED while the bike is not on the road. Key SORN rules: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Historic Motorcycle Exemption | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motorcycles manufactured more than 40 years ago are exempt from VED — in 2026, this means bikes manufactured before 1986. You still need to apply for a nil-rate tax disc at GOV.UK each year, and the bike must still be roadworthy and insured to be ridden legally. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
What Happens If You Ride Without Tax? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Verdict 2026 Motorbike VED ranges from £27/year (up to 150cc) to £125/year (over 600cc) in 2026/27, sourced directly from the DVLA V149 official table. Tax online at gov.uk/vehicle-tax in minutes. Seasonal riders can SORN the bike in winter for free — declare before taking it off the road to receive an automatic VED refund. Historic bikes over 40 years old (pre-1986) are exempt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow much is motorbike tax UK 2026? VED rates from the official DVLA V149 table: up to 150cc = £27/year; 151–400cc = £59/year; 401–600cc = £90/year; over 600cc = £125/year. Zero emission motorcycles = £27/year. Can I SORN my motorbike in winter? Yes. Declare a SORN at gov.uk/make-a-sorn and the DVLA will automatically refund any unexpired full months of VED. The bike cannot be parked on a public road while SORNed. Re-tax before riding again in spring. Is a motorbike exempt from VED if it is old enough? Yes. Motorcycles manufactured more than 40 years ago — before 1986 in 2026 — are exempt from VED. You still need to register the nil-rate tax annually at GOV.UK, and the bike must be insured and roadworthy to be ridden legally. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Guides | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sources: DVLA V149 official VED rate table April 2026, GOV.UK SORN guidance, GOV.UK historic vehicle exemption. April 2026. |
Motorbike Tax UK 2026: VED Rates, How to Tax and SORN Rules
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