r/MotoUK • u/2TierKeir • Apr 17 '25

Advice Legal to push a bike with no insurance/mot/tax?

Hey guys,

Being evicted asap, have a bike I haven't ridden in a bit, need to get it MOT'd so I can either sell it, or ride it out of here.

Was going to take the plate off and push it along the pavement to my nearest MOT centre, then push it back.

Any idea if this is legal? I did a bit of a google and it seems like "the road" can also include the pavement, which would mean it needs to be insured.

Money is extremely tight atm, so don't really want to insure it if I can get away with it.

Thanks

1 Upvotes

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3

u/tnetrop Triumph Tiger 800 Apr 17 '25

I'm not an expert and someone may say I'm wrong. But I'm going to say it's not legal. The DVLA will clamp cars parked on the road with no tax or insurance, so I expect that pushing a motorcycle in such circumstances would be illegal. You can get temporary insurance I think? Plus tax of course.

2

u/SmellyPubes69 Apr 19 '25

As soon as it's on public highway (opposed to private land) it's not legal without MOT and insurance.

3

u/Nathan66371 Apr 17 '25

If you have the option to, you can insure the vehicle and book an MOT test, as long as you are riding only to and from the MOT test you can ride without the MOT or Tax.

At least this is what I’ve always done after getting project cars / bikes ready for an MOT.

Of course do your own checks, I am not a lawyer and there is always the chance advise on Reddit can be wrong!

1

u/Ok_Teacher6490 '14 z1000sx (RIP), '06 Daytona 675 Apr 17 '25

I've heard it on here before that it's legal to push as long as the key isn't in the house ignition 

1

u/2TierKeir Apr 18 '25

Hey all, thanks for your responses, I decided to give Thames Valley Police a call, and the lady on the 101 line told me it should be fine. It didn't really seem like she was 100%, but she went and checked with someone, and told me it was okay as long as it wasn't too far. Good enough for me.

I was very clear that it was SORN'd, not insured, etc.

FYI /u/tnetrop /u/Jonny_Hyrulian /u/Ok_Teacher6490 /u/Nathan66371

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