{"id":496371,"date":"2026-03-26T12:25:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/496371\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T12:25:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:25:11","slug":"james-may-appears-at-court-over-failing-to-insure-his-classic-motorbike-before-leaving-on-his-bicycle-after-reaching-out-of-court-settlement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/496371\/","title":{"rendered":"James May appears at court over ‘failing to insure his classic motorbike’ – before leaving on his bicycle after reaching out-of-court settlement"},"content":{"rendered":"

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL)<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 06:19 EDT, 26 March 2026 | Updated: 07:36 EDT, 26 March 2026 <\/p>\n

Former Top Gear<\/a> presenter James May<\/a> has reached an out-of-court settlement after being charged with keeping a motorcycle which did not meet insurance requirements.<\/p>\n

May was due to stand trial after being prosecuted by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency over an allegation relating to his 50-year-old orange Suzuki motorcycle.<\/p>\n

The 63-year-old broadcaster was dressed in a bright yellow coat and shirt as he arrived by bicycle at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court in South London<\/a> this morning.<\/p>\n

The charge states that on July 17\u00a0last year, May kept a vehicle – a Suzuki GT750 motorcycle – which did not meet insurance requirements.<\/p>\n

The motoring journalist who lives in West London did not appear before magistrates and settled the case outside of court, prosecutors told reporters.<\/p>\n

He was photographed locking up his bicycle outside the court building just after 9.45am, before he then came back out again and left at around 10.20am.<\/p>\n

May presented the BBC motoring show alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond from 2003 until 2015 and was known as ‘the other bloke from Top Gear’. He also earned the nickname ‘Captain Slow’ for his performances in challenges.<\/p>\n

After leaving Top Gear, the presenting trio went on to make a new motoring show for Amazon Prime Video called The Grand Tour, which ran from 2016 to 2024.<\/p>\n

\"Former <\/p>\n

Former Top Gear presenter James May arrives at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court today<\/p>\n

\"James <\/p>\n

James May arrives by bicycle at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court in South London today <\/p>\n

\"James <\/p>\n

James May outside the court today, where he is accused of not insuring his classic motorbike<\/p>\n

\"James <\/p>\n

James May arrives by bicycle at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court in South London today<\/p>\n

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