More benefits coming for ACU licence holders
By Team TMX on 5th Nov 25
The Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) has announced a modest bump in its 2026 licence and registration fees - but before anyone fires up the moaning engines, there’s some genuinely good news in the mix. The price increase comes hand-in-hand with improved personal accident insurance, which will now be automatically included as part of every annual licence or registration.
From 2026, the competition licence will cost £98, the new National Trial Registration will be £50, and Club Trial Registration will come in at £35. In return, riders get a much-improved level of cover and one less bit of admin for organisers to wrestle with.
Previously, clubs and organisers had to pay for riders’ accident insurance separately, a cost that inevitably got passed down through event entry fees. The ACU’s new all-in approach – which follows a two-year review of its safety and insurance setup – streamlines that process and puts more protection directly into the hands (and wallets) of competitors.
The refreshed package is part of a new partnership with Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, which will now provide cover across all ACU-permitted events. The standout change is to hospitalisation payments, which will kick in after 72 hours in hospital rather than the previous 14-day threshold. Payments will be made daily, up to £2,000 per hospital stay.
Public liability cover remains unchanged at a whopping £40 million for all ACU events - so riders, organisers, and officials are all still properly protected.
ACU CEO Matthew Edwards-Wear said the change reflects the governing body’s ongoing push to make insurance simpler and more effective:
“Introducing a modest competition licence and registration fee increase is necessary to provide the best insurance package currently available within UK motorcycle sport.
“We’re proud that the ACU is there for riders if they suffer an injury at one of our permitted events, and the benefits that come with the latest personal accident insurance package prove that commitment.
“Including the personal accident payment – which amounts to £20 for an entire season – within the licence or registration fee also helps organisers by reducing their event costs and admin.”
As a small bonus for 2025 licence holders, the ACU has confirmed that all 2025 licences and registrations will now remain valid until January 31, 2026, giving everyone a little breathing room. Auto renewals kick in on 31 January, and you’ll even be able to sort your paperwork at the ACU stand at Motorcycle Live (November 15-23).
And in a move that’ll please the traditionalists, the ACU is also bringing back plastic licence cards – for now, only for officials attending seminars this winter, but if that goes down well, riders might get their own shiny cards for the 2027 season.
For more info or licensing support, you can call the ACU on 01788 566400.
