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Back on the road in spring

Spring is here and the bike's been stood since November. Get the paperwork done in the right order, then work through this checklist before the first ride.

Last checked against GOV.UK: 2 November 2026 · Always follow your owner's manual where it differs.

Paperwork first, in this order

Insure, MOT, then tax. Taxing the bike is what ends a SORN, and you can't tax it without a valid MOT. You need insurance before it goes on the road, even for the ride to a test.

Insurance. If you kept laid-up cover over winter, ask your insurer to switch back to full road cover from the day you'll ride. Otherwise, buy a policy that starts before the bike moves.
MOT. Check the date with a free MOT history check. If it ran out over winter, book a test. You can ride to a pre-booked MOT while the bike is SORN or out of MOT, as long as it's insured. Remember you can test up to a month (minus a day) early and keep your renewal date.
Tax. Tax it online on GOV.UK or at a Post Office. The SORN is cancelled automatically. There's no separate form.

Riding a SORN bike on the road for any reason other than a pre-booked test can lead to a fine of up to £2,500, and riding without a valid MOT a fine of up to £1,000. See our motorbike tax guide for rates and payment options.

The recommissioning checklist

Take out anything you put in. Exhaust and air intake bungs, the disc lock, any rags. Check for nests.
Battery. Refit it if it came out, check the terminals and make sure it cranks strongly. A battery that's been left flat in the cold may need replacing.
Fuel. If it's been stood for months without stabiliser, consider draining old fuel. On carburettored bikes, gummed jets cause hesitant starting and poor idle.
Tyres. Pump to the right pressures, and check for flat spots, cracking and tread depth. Tyres that have aged a winter lose grip, especially in the wet.
Brakes. Pads, discs (light surface rust should clean off in the first few stops), lever feel and fluid level. If the fluid is 2 years old, change it now.
Chain. Clean, lube and set the slack. A chain left dirty all winter may have tight spots.
Fluids. Engine oil level, coolant level and condition, and look underneath for fresh leaks.
Lights, indicators and horn. Check every one, including the brake light from both lever and pedal.
Controls. Throttle snaps back, clutch and brake levers move freely, the side stand cut-out works.
Nuts and bolts. A quick look at wheel spindles, calliper bolts and anything you removed in the autumn.

Laying the bike up properly in the first place makes all of this easier: our winter storage guide has the autumn checklist.

The first ride

Short and gentle. Ride a local loop first so you're never far from home if something isn't right.
Warm the tyres and brakes before leaning on them. Cold tyres on cold roads have far less grip.
Watch the roads. Spring roads still carry winter grit, salt, mud and fresh potholes.
Warm yourself up too. Your skills fade over winter. Some riders book a refresher or advanced riding session in spring.

Your spring checklist, ready and waiting

Switch your bike back from SORN or Stored in Tickover and MOT, tax and service reminders return, with a back-on-the-road checklist to tick through.

Get early access

Quick answers

How do I take my motorbike off SORN?

Tax it. A SORN is cancelled automatically when you tax the bike. Insure it and make sure it has a valid MOT first.

Can I ride my SORN motorbike to an MOT?

Yes, to or from a pre-booked MOT only, and it must be insured for the journey.

What order should I do insurance, MOT and tax in?

Insurance first, then the MOT if it has expired, then tax. You can't tax without a valid MOT, and you need insurance to ride to the test.

Should I change the oil in spring?

Ideally the oil was changed before storage. If it wasn't, change it before regular riding, and check the level either way.

My bike won't start after winter. What should I check first?

The battery charge, the kill switch and side stand, then the fuel: old fuel and gummed carburettor jets are common causes.

Related guides

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change: check GOV.UK before you act. Tickover is independent and not affiliated with the DVLA or DVSA.