UK motorcycle registrations improved in June 2026, with stronger growth in motorcycles than scooters and notable rises in adventure, modern classic and road sport categories. For London riders, the figures point to renewed confidence, but the clearer story is practical: commuting costs, training demand and licence choices are all back in focus.
Last reviewed 10 July 2026 by the Universal Motorcycle Training® instructor team.
What happened to UK motorcycle registrations in June 2026?
The June 2026 MCIA registration figures, published on 7 July 2026, show a market moving in the right direction after a difficult previous year. Source: MCIA.
The total L-category market was up 13% on June 2025, while the year-to-date figure was up 15.2%. Within that, motorcycle registrations rose by 14.5% in June. Scooters also grew, but more modestly, up 6.8% in June.
That distinction matters for London. Scooters remain a familiar choice for short urban journeys, but the stronger motorcycle figure suggests that riders are not only looking for basic point-to-point transport. Some are choosing machines with wider use in mind: commuting during the week, longer journeys at weekends, and a route towards a full motorcycle licence rather than staying indefinitely on learner entitlement.
The MCIA figures are monthly industry registration figures. They should not be mixed into a single trend line with annual DfT vehicle licensing data, because the sources measure different things over different time periods.
Which types of bike are growing fastest?
The strongest growth in the June figures came from categories that are often associated with riders wanting more than a purely urban runabout.
Adventure bikes were up 20.2% in June and 23.8% year to date. Modern classics were up 23.1% in June. Road sport bikes were up 22.4% in June and 18.1% year to date. Source: MCIA.
For a London rider, these categories say something about intention. Adventure bikes appeal to people who want an upright riding position, luggage options and all-round usability. Modern classics often attract riders who want simple styling and everyday use without chasing extreme performance. Road sport growth suggests there is still demand from riders who see motorcycling as enjoyment as well as transport.
This does not mean every new rider should aim for these categories straight away. A new learner still needs the right route: CBT first, then A1, A2 or Category A depending on age, experience and goals. The bike should match the rider’s current skill level, not just the market trend.
Why is 2026 recovering after a weak 2025?
The recovery in the MCIA June 2026 figures needs to be seen against the separate DfT annual vehicle licensing statistics, published 29 April 2026 on a DVLA basis.
The DfT recorded 100,000 new motorcycles registered in the UK in 2025, down 18.6% from 123,000 in 2024. Source: DfT.
That annual figure explains why a stronger 2026 monthly picture stands out. The market is recovering from a weaker base, but the sources are not the same. DfT annual vehicle licensing statistics give a calendar-year licensing view. MCIA’s June 2026 figures give a monthly industry registration snapshot. Both are useful, but they should be read separately.
A fall in new registrations in 2025 did not mean that motorcycling disappeared from daily life. DfT road traffic estimates, published 20 May 2026, show motorcycle and scooter traffic in Great Britain reached 3.0 billion vehicle miles in 2025, up 2.3% on 2024 and 13.1% above pre-pandemic 2019. Source: DfT.
So the picture is mixed but understandable: fewer new motorcycles were registered in 2025, while actual motorcycle and scooter traffic still rose. People were still riding.
What does this mean for London commuters?
For London commuters, the key issue is not only what is being registered, but why people are considering two wheels at all.
TfL information checked in July 2026 confirms that motorcycles and mopeds are exempt from the London Congestion Charge, which has been £18 a day for cars since 2 January 2026. Source: TfL.
That does not make a motorcycle or scooter the right choice for everyone. London riding brings its own demands: bus lanes where permitted, filtering judgement, poor road surfaces, cycle traffic, pedestrians, delivery traffic, weather and limited parking. A rider who is technically legal but poorly prepared can quickly feel overloaded.
This is where training matters. CBT is training, not a pass/fail test. It introduces the basic skills needed to ride legally and safely as a learner, and the DL196 certificate is valid for two years. Riders who are commuting regularly should treat CBT as the beginning, not the end, of their development.
Learners can start with our CBT training course in London, then decide whether to continue towards a full licence.
What is happening to training demand?
DVSA CBT statistics (table INS0203, updated 25 June 2026) show that 193,575 CBT (DL196) certificates were issued to approved training bodies in Great Britain in 2025-26, from April 2025 to March 2026. That was up from about 180,425 in 2024-25, roughly 7 per cent, and the highest since 2021-22. Source: DVSA.
These are certificates issued to training bodies, so they are a close proxy for CBTs completed. They are not the same as motorcycle registrations, and they do not prove that every CBT certificate became a new bike purchase. But they do show that more people were entering or renewing the learner-rider pathway.
At Universal Motorcycle Training®, we see that demand through a London lens. Some students want a 125cc scooter for commuting. Others are returning to riding after a break. Others use CBT as the first step towards A2 or Category A training. Universal Motorcycle Training® runs seven centres across London and the South East, and courses run seven days a week at most centres, which helps riders fit training around work.
For riders ready to move beyond learner entitlement, our Direct Access (DAS) course page explains the full licence route. To choose a convenient location, see our motorcycle training centres.
What should London riders take from the June figures?
The June 2026 figures suggest confidence is improving, but the practical message is simple. More registrations do not automatically mean better riding standards. More CBT certificates do not automatically mean riders are ready for every London road situation.
New and returning riders should choose training that matches their real use. A commuter needs slow control, observation, junction discipline and confidence in traffic. A future DAS rider needs good habits before moving to a larger machine. A returning rider may need to rebuild judgement before relying on past experience.
The market may be recovering, but safety is still built one rider at a time. If you are thinking about starting, renewing your CBT, or moving towards a full licence, book a CBT or full licence course when you are ready and give yourself proper time to train.
Frequently asked questions
Is motorcycle demand rising again in 2026?
Yes, the MCIA June 2026 figures show the total L-category market up 13% on June 2025 and year to date up 15.2% (Source: MCIA). That is a monthly industry registration view, not the same as DfT annual vehicle licensing statistics.
Are scooters growing as quickly as motorcycles?
No. In June 2026, motorcycle registrations were up 14.5%, while scooters were up 6.8% (Source: MCIA). Scooters remain relevant for London, but the stronger motorcycle figure suggests broader interest beyond short urban trips.
Do I pass or fail a CBT?
CBT is training, not a pass/fail test. You receive a DL196 certificate only when the instructor is satisfied you have completed the required elements safely. The certificate is valid for two years.
Are motorcycles and mopeds exempt from the Congestion Charge?
Yes. TfL information checked in July 2026 confirms that motorcycles and mopeds are exempt from the London Congestion Charge, which has been £18 a day for cars since 2 January 2026 (Source: TfL).