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Motorcycles: Excise Duties

Asked by Melanie OnnLabourTreasuryTabled Answered 28 January 2026UIN 107058

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make a comparative assessment of Vehicle Excise Duty rates for motorcycles with cars; and whether she has plans to review the Vehicle Excise Duty framework for motorcycles.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), sometimes known as 'road tax' or 'car tax', is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, weight, or CO2 emissions.

VED 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 £26, and increasing to £27 from 1 April 2026 in line with RPI).The highest rate applies to engines sized 600cc and above (currently £121, and increasing to £125 from 1 April 2026 in line with RPI).

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 in the context of the public finances.

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