50cc Moped Insurance
Quotes from 25+ cheap moped insurers- 50cc moped insurance from age 16
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Low cost moped quotes for 16 year olds riding with a CBT on L plates, or more experienced riders looking for cheap quotes on a 50cc bike.
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50cc Insurance
Compare cheap insurance for 50cc mopeds and motorbikes.
With low running costs, cheap consumables, excellent fuel economy and the lowest of insurance groups, mopeds are one of the most economical ways of getting from A to B.
Older, more experienced motorcyclists with full licences are likely to be able to pick up extremely cheap insurance quotes for a 50cc bike.
50cc bikes and mopeds are however extremely popular with younger riders, which is where costs can start to rise.
Despite the relatively low cost of 50cc bikes and a sub 30mph top speed, riders will often have zero experience on the road. Because many moped riders are just 16 years old, insurance premiums can be high due to the perceived risk. Being new to two wheels and riding on L plates after the CBT means your 50cc insurance can sometimes be more expensive than expected.
Fear not though, one of the best ways of finding cheap 50cc insurance, even if you're just 16 years old, is to compare quotes.
Enter your personal details, the make and model of your moped, and the type of 50cc cover required. You'll only need to do this once to receive multiple cheap 50cc bike quotes from a wide range of UK based moped insurance experts.
Simply choose the cheapest moped insurance, or opt for the policy that has the right features and benefits for your needs. With 25+ quotes available, it really is up to you.
How much is 50cc moped insurance in the UK?
Mopeds are the least powerful motorised two wheelers on UK roads. With engine output limited to a maximum of 4kW (just over 5bhp) from a 50cc engine and a top speed of just 28mph, the cost of insuring a moped is proportionately cheaper than most other motorcycles.
Although the moped itself is in a low insurance group, insurance brokers must also take into account individual rider information. This means that the cost of insuring your 50cc moped will vary greatly based on your individual circumstances.
Many moped riders are inexperienced new or learner riders and may well be riding a moped on the road using L plates, having only completed Compulsory Basic Training. This means that although the moped itself might be a low powered, low risk machine to the insurers, an inexperienced 16 year old moped rider is the exact opposite - a much bigger risk.
Moped insurance costs also vary depending on where you live, your occupation, riding history and other factors. When added together, this determines your risk profile and the total cost of your 50cc bike insurance.
Because there are so many different factors involved when calculating moped insurance costs, the best way to find out how much it's going to cost to insure your 50cc moped (and to find the cheapest price) is to use a comparison service like the one available at Biker Insure.
Do you need insurance for a 50cc moped?
In addition to being taxed and MOT'd, your 50cc moped will need to be insured with a minumum of third party insurance to legally ride on UK roads.
What kind of insurance do I need for a 50cc moped?
Whether you are a 16 year old riding your 50cc moped on L plates, have passed the AM class test, or are riding a moped with a car licence, you are going to need valid insurance cover. As with any other motorcycle or powered two-wheeler, there are three categories of insurance available for your moped:
Third Party Only 50cc Moped Insurance
The legal minimum required to ride a moped on UK roads. This is the most basic level of cover, and provides the minimum level of insurance protection.
Riding your moped with Third Party Only insurance means that your insurance will cover any losses to other people or road users. If you are involved in an accident when riding your 50cc moped that causes injury or damage to someone else – whether that be a person, a vehicle, or property, Third Party Only insurance protects other people by providing financial compensation to them in the event of a loss.
It also means that claims from a third party (which can be many, and very expensive) made against you are paid for by the moped insurance company, rather than you personally.
With Third Party Only, you won’t be covered if your moped is stolen, or for any accident damage that is your fault. No cover will be provided for any loss of earnings as a result of an injury, or for any health care or physiotherapy that may be necessary.
If you are involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you’ll need to recover your losses from the other party. This will mean proving that the accident was caused by them (or an admission of fault).
Third Party Fire & Theft 50cc Moped Insurance
The middle level of cover available. Third Party Fire & Theft moped insurance includes everything covered by Third Party Only, but with the addition of theft insurance cover. If your moped is stolen, the insurance company should pay out at market value (minus any excess) of your moped so you can replace the bike with a similar machine.
As the name suggests, you’ll also be insured if your moped is damaged by fire.
As with TPO, TPFT provides cover for everyone else involved in an accident, but not insurance cover for you.
Fully Comprehensive 50cc Moped Insurance
The highest level of moped insurance cover available, fully comprehensive moped insurance includes everything covered by TPFT (and TPO), but also adds extra protection for accidents that are your fault. Your moped insurance company will pay for costs incurred by the third party, plus your own losses.
Fully comprehensive moped insurance will also pay for damage caused in accidents where nobody else is involved, whether because of rider error, inclement environmental factors or road conditions.
A comprehensive policy may also cover your moped against other accidental damage, even if you aren’t riding it – such as from flooding or other environmental factors – but check your individual policy wording.
What is a moped?
Licencing types for powered two wheelers can be confusing, and more so because the legal definition of "moped" is sometimes different to what people in the real world interchangeably refer to as mopeds or scooters. A moped can look like a scooter, and vice versa.
Mopeds are essentially a legal sub-class of powered two-wheeler. The most popular modern mopeds are to all intents and purposes scooters with small engines. In the past, mopeds often used to look like oversized motorised bicycles with petrol tanks and pedals, but those days are long gone.
It’s also possible to ride a 50cc motorcycle, and this would be classed as a moped if it met the following specifications:
Legally speaking, a moped is defined as a powered two wheeler of no more than 50cc producing under 4kW (5bhp) in power, and a maximum speed of 28mph
When it comes to finding the right classification for insurance, it's actually pretty simple. As long as you are legally licenced to ride your machine, the quote comparison system automatically knows how your machine is classified, whether you're looking to insure a scooter, a moped or a bike.
From an insurance point of view, simply enter your reg number to automatically find the details. If you haven't yet bought your 50cc moped, select your machine from the dropdown.
See how much 50cc insurance costs, and discover cheap 50cc moped insurance today:
How to get a moped licence (AM licence)
The Moped licence – or AM licence category – is available via three different routes:
Route 1 – Full car licence gained before 01/02/2001
If you passed your car test before the 1st February 2001, then you are automatically entitled to ride a moped without L-plates, and carry pillion passengers on UK roads. There is no need to pass a Moped/Motorcycle theory or practical test.
Route 2 – Full car licence gained after 01/02/2001
If you passed your car test after the 1st February 2001, you will need to complete a CBT (compulsory basic training) course. Once you have passed your CBT, you can (as above) ride a moped without L plates and carry a pillion passenger.
Your CBT won't expire, and you can continue riding mopeds as long as your car driving licence lasts
Route 3 – Valid provisional driving license
This is the only route avaiable to 16 year olds, who are not yet eligible to drive a car.
If you are aged 16 years or older, you’ll first need to obtain a provisional driving license.
Next, complete the CBT.
You can now ride unsupervised on the road with L plates (and insurance!) until your CBT expires. You cannot carry pillion passengers.
The CBT lasts for a period of two years, after which your entitlement to ride a moped with L plates will expire. You can renew your CBT by taking the assessment again, to refresh your entitlement.
If you want to ditch the L plates, carry pillion passengers, and escape a two-year CBT cycle, you’ll need to take the 2-part practical test on a moped no more than 50cc and 4kW.
In order to take the moped test and gain a full AM license, you’ll need to ensure your CBT is still valid, and also have a valid theory test certificate.
For more information on moped and CBT licencing information, visit gov.uk/motorcycle-cbt
Are mopeds cheaper to insure?
50cc mopeds are typically the cheapest class of powered two wheelers on UK roads. They are relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain. Mopeds have a low power output (under 4Kw or around 5bhp), and cannot exceed 30mph.
For these reasons, mopeds are at the bottom end of the insurance spectrum. Compared to more powerful motorcycles (even 125cc bikes), they are likely to be the cheapest to insure. Certainly, older and experienced riders and those with a full motorcycle licence are likely to be able to access very cheap 50cc moped insurance quotes.
Moped insurance for a 16 year old is a different proposition. If you are 16 years old and riding your 50cc after the CBT and on L plates, insurance is likely to be much more expensive.
How much your moped insurance costs is a factor of your age, experience, the moped you ride – and many other variables. Because young riders haven’t had the chance to gain experience on the road, or build a no-claims bonus, their quotes are likely to be relatively high.
That said, the easiest way to save money on your moped insurance is to compare 50cc quotes.
Get a quote at Biker Insure today and you’ll receive tailored quotes from over 25 moped insurance specialists. It’s easy to amend the level of cover, choose a different moped (if you haven’t already bought your machine), and see which insurance provider can provide the right policy for your riding needs.
Find out how much moped insurance costs. Get a free 50cc quote today:
How to get cheaper 50cc insurance
There are a few things you can do that could help to get cheaper moped insurance:
Improve security
50cc mopeds are very lightweight vehicles that can easily be lifted into the back of a van.
Make your 50cc harder to steal by fixing the moped to a solid object with a quality lock, or use a ground anchor. Some insurers may offer discounts (or have clauses that stipulate the use of certain security measures). The more security you can use, the better - thieves will always pick the easiest, quickest to steal moped.
Keep your moped out of sight
If you have access to a garage, make sure you use it. Garaging your moped can lead to cheaper quotes, because the risk of theft is significantly reduced.
If you don't have a garage, always try to keep the moped out of sight, under a cover, and on a private drive or in your back garden if you can.
Keep your mileage low
50cc mopeds are generally used for shorter distances. Don't overestimate your annual mileage when you get a moped insurance quote, as you could end up paying over the odds for miles that you'll never travel.
Pass your test
Your premiums could go down, and your compulsory excess may also be reduced.
Consider the level of cover you need
Some mopeds are relatively low value machines. It might not be worth buying a high level of cover if the bike isn't worth very much. Consider the level of cover carefully, but remember that TPO won't necessarily be the cheapest.
Compare moped insurance quotes
It's the easiest way to make sure you're getting the lowest quotes from a wide range of moped insurers. You can also adjust your level of cover and excess amounts to see how this will impact the premium.
50cc & moped insurance FAQ's
How much is road tax for a 50cc moped?
Mopeds and bikes with a 50cc engine currently (2024) pay road tax of £24 for 12 months, or £25.20 if paid in 12 instalments by Direct Debit. This tax band applies to all motorcycles 150cc and under.
Is a 50cc motorbike classed as a moped?
A moped is defined as a powered two wheeler of no more than 50cc, producing under 4kW (5bhp) in power and with a top speed of no more than 28mph.
Some mopeds will look more like scooters with short wheelbases, enclosed bodywork, and a "sit in" riding position - whereas other mopeds will be more conventional "sit on" motorcycles. The style and design of bike is not relevant, it's the engine size and power output that defines "what is a moped".
Can you ride a moped on the motorway?
Motorcycle and mopeds with engines of 50cc and under must not use motorways, irrespective of the licence type held.
Can you ride a 50cc moped on a dual carriageway?
Legally yes, mopeds can be ridden on dual carriageways and national speed limit A or B roads (but not motorways). Be aware that traffic is likely to be travelling at twice your maximum speed or more which can potentially be dangerous. Try to avoid roads with speed limits greater than 30 mph, and plan your route carefully if venturing out of the urban environment.
How old do you have to be to ride a 50cc moped.
You can ride a 50cc moped from the age of 16 in the UK. You will need a provisional licence, have taken the CBT, and are required to display L plates. Your moped will also need a valid MOT, tax and insurance.
Can you take pillions on mopeds?
You can take pillions on a 50cc moped if you have passed the full AM Moped test, have a full car licence gained after Feb 2001 and have a valid CBT, or you gained a full car licence before 1 Feb 2001.
Can you ride a moped with a car licence?
If you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001, you can ride a 50cc moped without L plates. You don't need to take a CBT or a full moped test.
If you passed your driving test on or after 1 Feb 2001, you can ride a 50cc moped without L plates after completing a CBT. Your CBT won't expire, and you can continue riding mopeds as long as your car driving licence lasts.
Do you have a licence more advanced than the moped category? Don't worry, Biker Insure can compare your motorcycle insurance - whether you're riding with a full class A motorcycle licence, or have an A2, A1 or moped (AM) licence.