Vehicle Excise Duty for motorcycles is currently based on engine size. There are four engine size ranges, with the lowest rate applying to zero emission motorcycles and the smallest engines sized 150cc or less (currently £27 per year), and the highest rate applying to engines sized 600cc and above (currently £125 per year).

Historically, engine capacity-based rates have offered the most practical and easy-to-understand way to reflect the respective emissions levels of motorcycles. The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold full data for the number of people who repeat their CBT course, however, some analysis was conducted for inclusion in the recent ‘Improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing’ consultation.

This analysis evidences that, between March 2023 and March 2025, 77,000 learner riders repeated their CBT course, indicating that they have not gained a full motorcycle licence. This equates to 23% of the total certificates issued in that period which total 384,000.

More information on the consultation can be found on GOV.UK. Information on CBT certificate validity can be found in Topic 6 of the consultation.

The number of DL196 certificates issued to approved training body’s (ATB) is a published statistic and can be found in dataset INSO0203 on GOV.UK.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold full data for the number of people who repeat their CBT course, however, some analysis was conducted for inclusion in the recent ‘Improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing’ consultation.

This analysis evidences that, between March 2023 and March 2025, 77,000 learner riders repeated their CBT course, indicating that they have not gained a full motorcycle licence. This equates to 23% of the total certificates issued in that period which total 384,000.

More information on the consultation can be found on GOV.UK. Information on CBT certificate validity can be found in Topic 6 of the consultation.

The number of DL196 certificates issued to approved training body’s (ATB) is a published statistic and can be found in dataset INSO0203 on GOV.UK.

The Home Office engages regularly with policing partners, industry and other stakeholders on vehicle crime, including through the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the National Vehicle Crime Working Group. These groups bring together police, government, vehicle manufacturers, insurers and representative groups, including those representing the motorcycle sector, to share intelligence, identify emerging threats and support theft prevention activity.

The Government is strengthening the police response to vehicle theft through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and new powers in the Crime and Policing Act, including powers to enter and search premises where GPS-tracked stolen property is believed to be located. We have also provided almost £1 million since 2024 to support enforcement activity against organised vehicle theft and export through the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, with a further £300,000 being invested this year to disrupt organised criminal groups and improve vehicle recovery.

In the year to March 2026, the police in England and Wales recorded 115,448 incidents of theft of a motor vehicle, including motorcycles. This is a decrease of 5% compared with the previous year.

Decisions about local enforcement and partnership working are operational matters for Chief Constables and local authorities, reflecting local circumstances. The Government supports this work through the powers available to the police and local authorities and through action to prevent unsafe and illegal e-bikes entering the market. The Office for Product Safety and Standards works with local authority Trading Standards services to identify and remove unsafe products.

Information on the amount of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) raised annually from motorcycles registered to keepers in Wales can only be retrieved at disproportionate cost as it would require detailed analysis of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s vehicle records.

The table below shows the number of licensed motorcycles registered to addresses in Wales at the end of August 2026.

Information on the amount of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) raised annually from motorcycles registered to keepers in Wales can only be retrieved at disproportionate cost as it would require detailed analysis of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s vehicle records.

The table below shows the number of licensed motorcycles registered to addresses in Wales at the end of August 2026.

The DVSA consultation on improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing has now closed. Legitimate zero emission mopeds and motorcycles are already among the vehicles used for practical riding tests and training – the current consultation will have no impact on these vehicles being suitable for test.

The consultation was launched with a range of measures designed to support a targeted review of the training, testing and licensing framework for motorcyclists. This aims to improving safety and modernise and simplify access to motorcycling. We are now analysing the responses to the consultation.

The current motorcycle licensing regime requires riders seeking to progress from category A2 to category A through the licence upgrade route to successfully complete both Module 1 and Module 2 practical tests.

The Department has not identified evidence that this requirement is creating significant pressures on motorcycle test waiting times, nor evidence of a shortage of approved training providers willing to deliver the training required for riders progressing from A2 to A licences.

While riders will incur additional training and test fees when progressing to a full category A licence, the current arrangements are intended to ensure that riders demonstrate the higher level of skills and competencies required to ride larger and more powerful motorcycles.

The Government recently consulted on proposals for motorcycle licensing reform, including options for a progressive access route based on structured training and assessment. The consultation closed on 11 May 2026, and the responses are currently being analysed. Further information about the consultation is available on GOV.UK.

My Department has made no such assessment and has no role in the pricing of mopeds and motorcycles.

Everyone who uses our roads has a right to feel safe, including motorcyclists. With that in mind, the Department included motorcyclists in the new Road Safety Strategy. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035. Improving motorcycle safety is an integral part of that aim.

As part of the Road Safety Strategy, the Government launched a consultation on an ambitious package of reforms to the training, testing and licensing regime for Category A moped and motorcycle licences in Great Britain.

This consultation, which opened on 7 January and closed on 11 May, will help inform a targeted review of the training, testing and licensing regime.

As set out in the Road Safety Strategy, the government is now supporting further PRIME pilot trials in additional regions across the country. PRIME is a targeted road safety initiative designed to help motorcyclists negotiate sharp bends more safely. These pilots will be subject to the necessary technical approvals. The Department for Transport will also ensure that all participating authorities undertake robust monitoring and evaluation so that the effectiveness and safety benefits of PRIME can be fully assessed.

The Government has announced a consultation on a package of reforms to the training, testing and licensing regime for category A moped and motorcycle licences in Great Britain.

The consultation, opened on 7 January and closed on 11 May 2026. The responses are currently being analysed. Further information about the consultation is available on GOV.UK

The Government expects those driving or riding for work to keep both themselves and other road users safe. As such we have committed to piloting a new voluntary Work-Related Road Safety Charter that is being developed in partnership with industry. The Charter will be informed by existing schemes such as Driving for Better Business and encourage everyone involved in driving or riding for work to improve road safety. That includes delivery drivers riding mopeds.

The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) consultation on improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing closed on 11 May. The consultation was launched with a range of measures designed to support a targeted review of the training, testing and licensing framework for motorcyclists, and the aim of improving safety and modernising and simplifying access to motorcycling. In part, reforms aim to encourage progression to full licences, particularly for those riding for work. We are now analysing the responses and will publish the outcome of the consultation on GOV.UK.

Rule 83 of the Highway Code specifies that on all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped must wear a protective helmet that complies with safety regulations. In addition, Rule 84 advises that riders wear eye protectors that comply with relevant regulations and consider wearing ear protection.

We also advise that strong boots, gloves and suitable clothing may help to protect you if you are involved in a collision.

At present these additional protective items are not mandated, but as with every road user it is the responsibility of the rider to protect both themselves and others on our roads.

The Department does not hold this information.

Electric bikes which comply with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 do not require registration, tax or insurance. No assessment has been made concerning the number ridden on public roads.