- Up to 500 euros (around 578 US dollars) cashback for new riders
- The purchase must be made within three months of passing the licence test
- New to the programme: the Zero XE and the Zero LS1, each with 250 euros (around 289 US dollars)
Anyone who has just earned a motorcycle licence usually faces the same bill: riding school, gear and the machine itself all fall due at more or less the same time. That is exactly where Zero Motorcycles steps in with a cashback scheme for new riders, which the manufacturer is now expanding. In the year of its 20th anniversary, the Zero XE cross model and the Zero LS1 join the programme as well, the two vehicles with which the brand most recently broadened its entry-level line-up.
Who gets money back from Zero?
Anyone who buys a new Zero model from an authorised dealer within three months of passing the test is eligible. Licence categories A, A1 and A2 are recognised. The full terms and conditions additionally list the extension of category B with code B196, which allows car drivers in Germany to ride light motorcycles up to 125 cubic centimetres.
There is only one refund per customer and per purchase. Vehicles that a dealer has ordered as a demonstrator are excluded. According to the manufacturer, the programme runs from 1 January to 31 December 2026.
Which Zero models are part of the programme?
Six models are eligible, split into two tiers. The Zero DSR/X, the Zero SR/F, the Zero S and the Zero DS come with 500 euros (around 578 US dollars) back. For the newly added Zero XE and the Zero LS1 the figure is 250 euros (around 289 US dollars).
Only new vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years are considered, and they must be neither registered nor reported for warranty. The XE is the brand’s compact off-road model, the LS1 is Zero’s first electric scooter. Both target beginners and commuters, which fits a programme aimed at newly licensed riders. Not on the list are the Zero SR/S and the Zero DSR, along with the Zero XB, which can be ridden without a motorcycle licence.
How do new riders get the money?
The refund goes through an application by email rather than automatically via the dealer. The paperwork must reach Zero no later than 45 days after the date of purchase and in any case before 15 February 2027.
Required are a copy of the licence or the B196 certificate, the purchase invoice from an authorised dealer, proof of identity with name and photo, the registration document in the name of the licence holder, plus the name and address of the riding school. Bank details with IBAN and BIC are also needed. The name must match on all documents. Once the check is complete, Zero transfers the amount within four to six weeks.
In which countries does the beginner bonus apply?
The programme is not limited to Germany but covers a large part of Europe. The purchase must be made at an authorised Zero dealer in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Which law applies depends on the buyer’s habitual residence. Any taxes or fees arising in connection with the refund are borne by the buyer.
What else Zero is offering in its anniversary year
Zero Motorcycles was founded in 2006 and marks its 20th anniversary in 2026. Alongside the beginner bonus there is therefore a second campaign aimed at a different audience. According to the official campaign terms it runs from 10 May up to and including 31 August 2026 and comprises three options: zero per cent financing, an increased trade-in bonus, or credit towards parts, accessories and clothing. The last two options are quoted at up to 2,500 euros (around 2,888 US dollars), depending on the model.
The participating models here are the Zero DSR/X, the Zero SR/F, the Zero DS and the Zero S from the 2026 model year. According to the terms, the anniversary offers cannot be combined with other sales campaigns. New riders buying one of these four models should therefore clarify the conditions with the dealer in advance.
What does the offer look like in the United Kingdom?
The structure there is the same, but the amounts differ and there is an additional route in. Buyers receive 400 pounds (around 467 euros / 539 US dollars) for the DSR/X, SR/F, S and DS, and 200 pounds (around 233 euros / 270 US dollars) for the LS1 and XE.
In the United Kingdom, Compulsory Basic Training, or CBT for short, is recognised alongside categories A, A1 and A2. This is a one-day mandatory course that governs entry into powered two-wheeled riding there and is not a full licence. The restriction to new, unregistered vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years and the exclusion of demonstrators apply there as well.
Company boss Pierre-Martin Bos puts it this way: “Getting your motorcycle licence is a moment you never forget. It marks the start of a journey full of freedom, new experiences and a very special community.” He also speaks of Zero wanting to accompany new riders through their first kilometres.
Frequently asked questions
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How much is the Zero Motorcycles cashback for new riders?
The refund is 500 euros (around 578 US dollars) for the DSR/X, SR/F, S and DS models. For the Zero XE and the Zero LS1 it is 250 euros (around 289 US dollars). Only one amount is paid out per customer and per purchase.
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Which licence categories are recognised?
Categories A, A1 and A2 are recognised. The terms and conditions additionally list the extension of category B with code B196. The purchase must be made within three months of obtaining the licence.
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How long does the programme run?
The programme runs from 1 January to 31 December 2026. The documents for the refund must be submitted no later than 45 days after the purchase and in any case before 15 February 2027.
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Does the bonus also apply to used or demonstrator vehicles?
No. Only new vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years that are not yet registered and not reported for warranty are eligible. Dealer demonstrators are excluded.
