Insuring your first motorbike can feel overwhelming. Between CBT certificates, licence categories, engine size restrictions, and wildly varying quotes, it is a lot to take in when you have never done it before. This guide walks you through everything a new rider needs to know about motorbike insurance in 2026, from what licence you need and how much you can expect to pay, to choosing a first bike with insurance costs in mind.
The licence you need depends on your age and the size of bike you want to ride. The UK uses a tiered system that starts with mopeds and works up to unrestricted motorcycles. Understanding this matters for insurance because your licence type directly affects your premium.
| Category | Minimum Age | What You Can Ride | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM (Moped) | 16 | Mopeds up to 50cc, max speed 28mph | CBT + theory test + practical test |
| A1 (Light motorcycle) | 17 | Motorcycles up to 125cc and 11kW (15bhp) | CBT + theory test + Module 1 and Module 2 practical tests |
| A2 (Standard motorcycle) | 19 | Motorcycles up to 35kW (47bhp) | CBT + theory test + Module 1 and Module 2 practical tests on an A2 bike |
| A (Unrestricted) | 24 (direct access) or 21 (progressive) | Any motorcycle, no power limit | CBT + theory test + Module 1 and Module 2 on an unrestricted bike, or upgrade from A2 after 2 years |
| CBT only (no full test) | 16 (moped) or 17 (125cc) | Mopeds or 125cc with L plates, no motorways, no pillion | Complete the one-day CBT course. Valid for 2 years, then must be renewed or replaced by a full licence |
Most new riders start with a CBT certificate, which lets you ride a 125cc motorcycle or 50cc moped on L plates. You can ride on all roads except motorways, but you cannot carry a passenger. The CBT lasts two years, after which you must either renew it or pass your full test.
Yes, but only after completing CBT. A full car licence does not automatically let you ride a motorbike. You must complete the one-day CBT course first, then you can ride a 125cc with L plates displayed. You will still be subject to learner restrictions - no motorways and no passengers.
First-time motorbike insurance is expensive because you have no riding history, no no claims bonus, and you fall into the youngest, highest-risk age bracket. According to NimbleFins' analysis of UK motorbike insurance quotes for 2026, a 20 year old rider pays roughly 4.5 times what a 40 year old pays for the same bike and cover.
| Rider Age | Typical Annual Cost (Comprehensive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16 (moped, provisional) | £1,800 - £2,500+ | Highest premiums. Provisional licence, no experience, high theft risk on mopeds |
| 17 (125cc, CBT) | £1,400 - £1,800 | TPFT from around £1,400; comprehensive from around £1,800 |
| 19 | £1,200 - £2,800 | Wide range depending on location. City riders pay significantly more |
| 21 | £800 - £1,500 | Premiums start dropping noticeably. Full licence holders pay less than CBT riders |
| 25 | £500 - £1,000 | Approaching affordable territory, especially with a few years of no claims |
| 30 | From around £525 | NimbleFins benchmark: 30 year old, full licence, 5 years NCB, 3,000 miles/year |
Location makes a big difference too. NimbleFins found that Manchester prices were around 35% cheaper than Birmingham, while London prices were around 60% more expensive. Where you live and where you park your bike overnight are two of the biggest factors you cannot easily change.
These are indicative figures based on NimbleFins' analysis of quotes via Quotezone for standardised rider profiles. Your actual quote will depend on your specific circumstances including location, bike model, parking, and security. Always compare quotes to see what you would actually pay.
There are three levels of motorbike insurance. You might assume the cheapest is third party only since it offers the least cover, but that is often not the case.
| Cover Level | What It Covers | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Third Party Only (TPO) | Damage and injury you cause to other people and their property. Nothing for your own bike. | The legal minimum. Not always the cheapest option. |
| Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT) | Everything in TPO, plus cover if your bike is stolen or damaged by fire. | Popular with new riders on lower-value bikes. Often the cheapest option for young riders. |
| Fully Comprehensive | Everything in TPFT, plus cover for accidental damage to your own bike, even if it is your fault. | The best protection. Often competitively priced because insurers view comprehensive buyers as lower risk. |
NimbleFins' data shows that for 17 year olds on a 125cc, TPFT was the cheapest option at around £1,400, while comprehensive started from around £1,800. TPO was actually the most expensive at over £500 more than TPFT. This is a common pattern across the motorbike insurance market - insurers associate TPO buyers with higher-risk riders, which pushes the price up.
Always compare quotes for all three cover levels. Never assume third party only will be cheapest. For many new riders, TPFT or even comprehensive works out less expensive and gives you significantly better protection.
You cannot change your age, but there are practical steps that can make a real difference to what you pay for your first policy.
Compare quotes from 25+ UK motorbike insurance providers via Brumble. Whether you ride a 50cc moped or a 125cc commuter, find the right cover in minutes.
Compare Motorbike InsuranceThe bike you choose is one of the biggest factors in what you pay for insurance. As a new rider, you are restricted to 125cc or below on a CBT, or up to 35kW (47bhp) on an A2 licence. Within those limits, there is still a wide range of options and some are much cheaper to insure than others.
| Bike | Type | Why It Works as a First Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Honda CB125F | Commuter | Reliable, fuel-efficient, low insurance group. The default choice for many learners and riding schools. |
| Honda PCX 125 | Scooter | Automatic, easy to ride, practical storage. One of the cheapest 125cc bikes to insure. |
| Yamaha MT-125 | Naked | Sporty looks with a practical riding position. Popular but slightly more expensive to insure than basic commuters. |
| Lexmoto LXR 125 | Sports-styled | Very affordable to buy. Low purchase price can offset slightly higher insurance for some riders. |
| Honda Vision 110 | Scooter | One of the cheapest bikes to insure overall. Basic, reliable, and practical for city commuting. |
| KTM Duke 125 | Naked | Fun and well-made, but a higher insurance group than basic commuters. Worth checking insurance costs first. |
As a general rule, basic commuter bikes and scooters are the cheapest to insure. Sports-styled 125s cost more because insurers associate them with more aggressive riding. The value of the bike matters too - a more expensive bike costs more to repair or replace, which pushes the premium up.
Before you buy a bike, get an insurance quote for it. The purchase price of the bike is only part of the picture. A bike that costs £500 less to buy but £400 more to insure is not the saving it looks like. Run a quick comparison first.
The government is consulting on significant changes to motorcycle training, testing, and licensing that could affect how new riders learn and progress. The consultation, run by the DVSA and the Department for Transport, covers several proposals that are relevant to anyone planning to get on two wheels.
Key proposals include restricting learners who complete CBT on an automatic bike to automatic-only riding unless they take additional training, introducing a theory and hazard perception element to CBT for first-time road users, and creating a progressive access training route that would let riders upgrade from A2 to a full A licence via a training course rather than retaking tests.
The consultation also addresses the issue of "permanent learners" - DVSA data shows that 23% of CBTs are repeat renewals rather than first-time certificates, with 77,000 riders renewing their CBT between March 2023 and March 2025 rather than progressing to a full licence. Proposals include introducing a waiting period before CBT can be renewed.
The consultation closes on 11 May 2026. No changes have been confirmed yet and the current rules still apply. You can read the full consultation on GOV.UK.
Nothing has changed yet. If you are planning to do your CBT, go ahead - the current system is still in place and any changes would take months to implement after the consultation closes. If anything, the proposals could make private practice and progression to a full licence more important, which is good advice regardless of what the rules look like in future.
You need insurance to ride on public roads, which is part of the CBT course. Most CBT training schools include insurance as part of the course fee when you are riding their bikes. If you are using your own bike for the on-road section, you will need your own insurance in place before the road ride.
A 17 year old on a 125cc bike can expect to pay around £1,400 to £1,800 per year for insurance, depending on the bike, location, and cover level. TPFT is often the cheapest option for this age group. Prices vary widely, so comparing quotes from multiple providers is essential.
Moped insurance for 16 year olds with a provisional licence is more expensive than for older riders with a full licence. NimbleFins found a difference of around £1,300 between a 16 year old on a provisional and a 21 year old with a full licence for the same moped. Choosing a basic model, parking securely, and fitting approved locks are the best ways to bring costs down.
It depends. For 17 year olds, TPFT is often the cheapest option. TPO is frequently the most expensive because insurers associate it with higher-risk riders. Always compare quotes for all three cover levels rather than assuming third party will be cheapest.
Yes, but only after completing CBT. A full car licence does not cover motorbike riding automatically. You must complete the one-day CBT course, then you can ride a 125cc with L plates. Learner restrictions apply: no motorways and no passengers.
Basic commuter bikes and scooters like the Honda Vision 110, Honda PCX 125, and Honda CB125F are typically the cheapest 125cc bikes to insure. Sports-styled models cost more. The exact cheapest option depends on your age, location, and security arrangements, so always get a quote before buying.
Yes. Holding a full A1 motorcycle licence rather than just a CBT certificate can reduce your premium. Insurers view full licence holders as lower risk because they have demonstrated a higher standard of competence through the two-part practical test.
The proposed changes to CBT and motorcycle licensing are still under consultation and nothing has been confirmed. If changes are implemented, they are unlikely to directly affect insurance costs, though any reforms that encourage riders to pass their full test sooner could indirectly help reduce premiums over time.
Compare quotes from 25+ UK motorbike insurance providers via Brumble. See what you could pay and find the right cover for your first bike.
Compare Motorbike InsuranceHead to the home page to compare quotes for car, van or motorbike insurance.
Compare QuotesGet the latest guides and motoring tips straight to your inbox.
EV Zone