What Is The Cost Of Road Tax For A Quad Bike?

If you are wondering about the cost of road tax for a quad bike, you will find the answer to your question in the following blog post. In addition to this, we will also discuss the legal requirements for quad bikes depending on their usage and whether or not they are meant to be driven on the road or not.

What Is The Cost Of Road Tax For A Quad Bike?

The cost of road tax for a quad bike depends on the following factors:

  • its usage
  • its engine size
  • whether or not it will be used on the road
  • if the road tax is paid annually (12 months) or semi-annually (6 months)

Based on this, road tax for quad bikes being used on a road can be categorised as follows:

Engine SizeRoad Tax for 12 monthsRoad Tax for 6 months
Under 151 cc£22n/a
151 – 400 cc£47n/a
401 – 600 cc£73£40.15
Over 600 cc£101£55.55

Road tax for quad bikes can easily be paid online, in person or from a local post office dealing with car tax. You will need the following documents to pay the road tax on your quad bike:

  • your vehicle log book 
  • the reference number on your tax reminder letter 
  • the green “new keeper” slip (if you’ve just bought it)

However, there is no road tax due on quad bikes that are being used for the following purposes:

  • agriculture, horticulture, forestry
  • by a disabled person claiming benefits such as higher rate mobility component of DLA, enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment.

If your quad bike is roadworthy but is either not being used on the road or is only used for a short distance (this can be 1.5 km or less), you can apply for a zero-rate tax.

That said, not all quad bikes are built to be used on the road as they don’t meet strict road safety standards. Therefore their use is limited to private land only. In such cases, there is no road tax due on them. However, one should still get them registered with DVLA.

What Are The Rules For Riding Quad Bikes On The Road?

You will find the rules for riding quad bikes on the road with a brief explanation in the list below:

  • Quad bikes should be approved, registered with the DVLA, taxed and have an MOT (if applicable and the vehicle is more than 3 years old).
  • They must have front and rear license plates.
  • The driver must have either a full car licence or a category B1 licence (if it was issued before January 1997).
  • Passengers can only be driven on a quad bike if there are appropriate seats and the vehicle is designed to carry them.
  • Quad bike drivers and passengers in Northern Ireland must wear crash helmets.

Although it is not mandatory for quad bike drivers and passengers in England, Scotland and Wales to wear crash helmets, it is recommended that they do.

What Are The Rules For Using Quad Bikes For Agricultural Purposes?

The rules for using quad bikes for agricultural purposes are as follows:

  • Quad bikes used for agriculture, horticulture or forestry should be registered with the DVLA and licensed for road use. 
  • They must have a number plate as well as third-party insurance (an MOT is not required).
  • They must have lights if they are going to be used on the road after dark (half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset).
  • Quad bikes that are classed as light agricultural vehicles can only have a driver and no passengers.

You can contact the Department for Transport for more information about quad bikes at the following address:

International Vehicles and Standards

Department for Transport

Zone 1/33

Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR

Conclusion:

The above discussion brings us to the conclusion that the cost of road tax for quad bikes can range from £22 to £101; depending on their usage and engine size. However, these costs only apply to quad bikes that are road-worthy as ones used for agricultural purposes are exempt from road tax.

References:

Quad bikes: the rules – GOV.UK

Laws On Road Legal Quad Bikes | Complete Guide | Park Insurance

Motorbike Road Tax: The Complete Guide (2022) • TheBikeMarket