Young Rider Motorbike Insurance

02/05/2025

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[Female motorcyclists riding bikes on a UK road]

[Greg Wilson]

Reviewed by: Greg Wilson
Founder & Insurance Expert

Written by: Deirbhile Coyle
Insurance Content Writer

Fact-checked by: Quotezone Editorial Team

This content follows our Editorial Guidelines

Last Updated: 2 May 2025
Read time: 9 min

Motorbike and moped options for young riders

What bikes can you ride at 16 years old?

At 16, you’ll have the option to start learning to drive a moped, tricycle or quad. However, these are limited to low-power models with a top speed of between 25 and 45 mph.

When you reach the age of 17, you can learn to ride light motorcycles, typically those under 125cc. Standard motorcycles are reserved for over 19s, and you will not be able to have unrestricted motorcycle use until you are over 25 years old.

Rules on this vary depending on whether you already hold a licence for a car, and when you got this licence. But if you are getting your first vehicle licence, this is a good guide.

What do you need to ride a bike or moped in the UK?

To get a motorcycle or moped licence in the UK, you will first need a provisional licence. Youll also need to complete compulsory basic training (CBT) before you start taking lessons. From here, you’ll need to pass both a theory and a practical driving test.

Once you have a licence, there are a few things youll need so you can legally drive on UK public roads, including:

The appropriate vehicle for your licence
A V5C registration certificate (log book) for the bike
Road tax on the bike
A valid MOT certificate
Motorbike insurance

Is it cheaper to get a motorbike than a car?

This depends on the exact model of car or motorbike you are comparing. However, if you are going for the cheapest options, you can find second-hand motorbikes at a much lower cost than the equivalent beginner cars.

Other road expenses, including fueling, road tax, MOT tests, and insurance costs, are also generally lower for a motorbike, moped, or scooter.

As an example, the average cost of UK car insurance is currently 769.19*, whereas Quotezone customers paid less than 255** for motorbike insurance in 2025.

Understanding bike insurance for young riders

When do you need to get insurance on a bike?

You will need insurance as soon as you plan to ride your bike on a public road. If you are learning on an instructor’s bike, you will be protected under their insurance policy. However, if you are practising on another vehicle, you will need your learner bike insurance for this bike.

What do insurers classify as a young rider?

Typically, a rider under the age of 25 is considered a young driver in the eyes of insurers. This distinction is important because young riders are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident resulting in serious injury or death. This means they are a higher risk to insure. As a result, insurers raise premiums, making motorbike insurance for first time riders more expensive.

How do I find bike insurance for new riders?

Finding bike insurance is easy, even if it is your first time. Whether you’re searching for new rider insurance or provisional bike insurance, it’s essential to shop around before committing to one policy or insurer. Otherwise, you could be missing out on cheap young rider motorbike insurance deals.

When you compare with Quotezone, youll only need to enter your details once, and well match you to quotes from up to 25 trusted UK providers. Helping your search for cheap young rider motorbike insurance.

Some things youll need to know include the registration number of the bike you are insuring, some basic details about the bike, what type of insurance you want, and your own personal details.

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Types of motorbike and moped insurance for young riders

The type of policy you choose will determine what incidents or accidents your insurance can help you with. If you haven’t got your full license yet, you will likely be searching for cheap bike insurance for learners. These are the three main coverage options, but you can also customise these with add-ons and extras.

Comprehensive insurance

This provides the most coverage, so you can be sure you have financial backup if you are involved in an accident (even if it is your fault), if your bike is stolen or written off, or if you cause accidental damage or harm to others or their property.

Third Party, Fire & Theft

This cover allows you to claim for the value of your bike if it is damaged or destroyed in a fire, or if it is stolen. Youre also covered for third party claims (claims made against you for damage or harm caused to others).

Third Party Only

This only covers claims made against you by other people for damage you cause to them, their vehicle, or property. It doesn’t offer protection for the costs of repairing or placing your bike if it is damaged or written off.

What is covered by young rider motorbike insurance?

This will depend on the type of policy you choose, but the following coverage and exclusions offer a general guide for comprehensive cover on a range of bikes.

What is covered?

Damage caused to your bike, even when you are at fault.
Damage or harm you cause to others, their vehicle or their property.
The value of your bike if it is lost to fire or theft.
The cost of treating injuries you sustain as a result of an accident.

What is not covered?

Your voluntary excess. This is an amount you agree to pay for each claim.
General wear and tear to your bike through day to day use.
Accidents that happen when using your bike in ways you have not disclosed when taking out your policy. Examples could include carrying passengers, racing or doing courier work.
Accidents that happen when under the influence of alcohol or drugs

What additional cover can you add on?

Legal protection to help cover the cost of disputes resulting from accidents or third party claims.
Pillion cover, which is needed to legally carry passengers, and extends your coverage to them.
No claims discount protection, which is especially important for young and new drivers, as building this up can help with your future insurance costs.
Cover for modified bikes. If you do not declare modifications that have been made to your bike, you could invalidate your insurance.

How much is motorbike insurance for young drivers?

Any motorbike insurance quote an insurer provides will be personalised to you, your bike, and your needs. So the cost of insuring a motorbike or moped will vary from person to person. The factors that insurers use to set these costs include:

Your age

The cost of motorbike insurance for a 16 year old will typically be higher than a 25 year old, as younger drivers usually pay more.

Your bikes security

If your bike has a tracking device, alarm or immobiliser, this can help lower your insurance costs. Using physical security measures like locks or keeping your bike in a garage overnight can also contribute to this.

Your annual mileage

The more time you spend on the road, the more opportunities you have to be involved in an accident. This is why lower mileages often correlate with lower insurance costs.

The coverage you choose

Typically, the more coverage you choose, the more you will pay. So, although add-ons can be tempting, it’s best to narrow down the cover you really need.

Your bike and its value

Your bike will be insured against its market value at the time of an accident. So if you have a particularly high value bike, or one with a lot of power, this can increase your premium.

Your location

Insurers will consider the local accident or theft rates in your area to gauge the risk to your bike. Repair costs also vary depending on where you live, and these are reflected in your premium.

How you use your bike

When you take out bike insurance, you will state how you plan to use your bike. Options include social, commuting, business or delivery use, and each come at a different cost.

Your no claims discount

This grows for every year you go without making a claim on your motorbike insurance. It demonstrates your reliability and safety, so can be rewarded with lower premiums.

How do I get cheap young rider motorbike insurance?

Carefully consider the factors that insurers use to set your premiums, and make them work to your advantage as much as possible. Never lie or withhold information from an insurer, as it can invalidate your insurance completely.

Choose a bike in a low insurance group as these are typically cheaper to insure.
Take time to work out an accurate annual mileage so you are not overestimating.
Choose coverage conservatively. The more coverage you add, the higher the premiums can be.
Consider investing in additional security for your bike or parking in a more secure location overnight.
Practice safe driving to start building your no claims discount.
Take additional training courses to improve your driving skills.
Pay your premium annually rather than monthly.
Choose a higher excess if possible.
Shop around and compare bike insurance quotes for young riders before you commit to a policy.

Young driver bike insurance FAQs

Do I need insurance while learning to drive a motorbike or moped?

If you are learning to ride on your own bike or a friend or family member’s bike, you will want to be insured appropriately with cheap learner bike insurance. However, if you are only practising or taking lessons on an instructor’s bike, their insurance should cover you.

What types of motorbike licences are there?

While there are a range of different licence categories that apply to motorbikes, scooters, and trikes, the one you need will depend on the vehicle you want to drive. Get a full breakdown of the licences required for each.

Can you insure a motorbike without a CBT?

Yes, you can get insurance to cover you while you train for CBT. However, you will be limited to what vehicle you can drive during this time.

Does young rider motorbike insurance cover me for carrying passengers?

For this, you will need to make sure that your insurance includes pilon cover. This can be included as standard on some policies, but it is more commonly offered as an add-on.

Can a young rider get insured on a quad bike?

Yes, you can get insured for driving quads on public roads from the age of 17. However, you will need the appropriate licence and insurance, and will be limited to quads under a certain power.

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Sources
* Data from Quotezone.co.uk, this data uses a random sample of over 100,000 UK car insurance policies from January 2024 December 2024.
** 51% of consumers who received a quote for Motorbike Insurance through this service
provided by Seopa Ltd. in January 2025 were quoted less than 284.82. The price you could
achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybodys specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.