125cc motorbike insurance

COMPARE 125CC MOTORBIKE INSURANCE QUOTES[1]

Get quotes
Couple with a dog on a motorbike

How to insure a 125cc motorbike or scooter

You can legally ride a 125cc out on the road after taking Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and without passing a test, but motorcycle insurance is still a legal requirement.

Bikes with a 125cc engine can be small motorbikes or larger scooters and they can be covered by most standard motorbike insurers, whether you’ve passed your test or you’re a learner with a CBT.

125cc motorbike insurance

How much does it cost to insure a 125?

Because 125s have small engines and low power, they fall into lower insurance groups so they’re cheap to insure.

They’re a cost-effective option, even for younger riders and/or less experienced riders as they're considered ‘learner’ bikes.

Your insurance costs will also depend on things like your age, experience, whether you have somewhere secure to keep your bike and whether you use it just socially, or for commuting.

Inexperienced rider excess


Insurers will see you as more of a risk if you're inexperienced and some charge an additional excess for new riders.

The excess is a sum you agree to pay to the insurer towards a fault claim.

If there’s an inexperienced rider excess and you have less than a certain number of years’ experience, you’ll have to pay a larger excess in a claim.

Out of 49 comprehensive motorcycle insurance policies listed on Defaqto, 38% charge an inexperienced rider excess.[2]

It won’t affect the cost of your premium unless you make a claim.

Get 125cc quotes, even if you’re a learner

Compare now

125cc insurance for learners and qualified riders

You can get insured to ride a 125 even if you haven’t passed your motorbike test.

125cc insurance on a provisional licence

It’s legal, cheap and practical to keep the L-plates on and ride your 125cc motorbike on a provisional licence.

Apply for your provisional licence, get a bike, get it insured and take CBT, which only takes a day or two.

Insuring a motorbike on a provisional licence is more expensive than if you've passed your motorbike test, but motorbike lessons and tests can run to thousands of pounds.

You can ride your 125 on a provisional licence after taking CBT indefinitely - so long as you don’t ride on the motorway or carry a passenger - providing you retake your CBT every two years.

You’ll earn a no-claims bonus for every accident-free year, even if you haven’t passed your motorbike test.

Getting insured to take your CBT

You can take your CBT on a bike belonging to the training centre and it’ll be covered by the centre’s insurance.

You could do your CBT on your own 125cc bike, but you’ll have to sort out your own insurance.

Check carefully that your policy covers you while you’re doing the training.

It’s likely that you’ll only be covered while supervised by the instructor. If you want to ride your bike to the training centre you’ll have to arrange for the instructor to supervise you from your home.

Otherwise your bike will have to be taken there on a trailer or ridden there by a qualified and insured biker.

Insuring your 125cc after passing your test

There are several motorbike tests you can take depending on your age and how long you’ve been riding, but the A1 test is the minimum to ride a 125cc bike without L-plates.

Once you’ve passed your motorbike test, tell your insurer as it might reduce your premiums.

Get cheap quotes for 125cc motorbikes and scooters

Compare now

How to save money on your 125cc motorbike

  1. Pass your test

    Passing your test can reduce your premiums and you’ll have a greater choice of insurers

  2. Build up your experience

    Whether you pass a test or not, building up a few years’ no-claims discount will cut costs

  3. Upgrade security

    125s are small, light and easy to steal, so try to make the criminals’ job harder with effective bike security. Using a certain lock might even be a requirement of your insurance

  4. Don't overestimate your mileage

    On a small, low-range 125cc bike your mileage might be pretty low

  5. Storage

    Where you keep your bike can also affect insurance cost. If you have a small, 125cc bike-sized space in your garage or on your drive, use it and tell your insurer

  6. Shop around

    Compare quotes to find the right deal for your 125.

Get quotes now

Motorbike insurance guides and tools

All guides and tools

[1]Gocompare.com introduces customers to Vast Visibility Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Gocompare.com's relationship with Vast Visibility Limited is limited to that of a business partnership, no common ownership or control rights exist between us. Please note, we cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites and by using the links stated to access these separate websites you will be subject to the terms of use applying to those sites.

[2]Last checked 27 February 2023