Get Your Licence

[Shadow Mike]

People are always asking so hope this helps!


UK Motorcycle Licences

The law on Motorcycle testing and licensing changed in January '97, introducing new classes of tests and licences and was changed again in February 2001, briefly the rules are now:


Provisional Licences

All moped and motorcycle provisional licence holders (including full car as provisional) must, by law, hold a current CBT certificate (DL196), showing they have completed Compulsory Basic Training before riding on the road.

Note: A Provisional Licence alone isn't enough. You MUST HAVE a valid CBT certificate to be on the road.

A provisional moped licence (Group P) can be held from 16 years old and isn't time limited. But remember if you de-restrict your moped, it's then legally a 'motorcycle'.

A provisional motorcycle licence (Group A) can be held from 17 years old. Those issued before 1st Feb 2001 were time limited to 2 yrs. from date of issue; whilst those issued from 1st Feb 2001 are valid to age 70. If yours will, or has lapsed under the old rules you can now apply to have this restored immediately.

If applying for a provisional car licence, be sure to tick the box asking for motorcycle also. Otherwise you may have to re-apply (and pay) again.

Remember on a provisional licence / entitlement you must display L plates and cannot carry pillion passengers or use motorways!


Full Licences

A full moped licence automatically gives you motorcycle provisional entitlement but you must be over 17.

A full car licence automatically gives you a motorcycle provisional.

Full car licences issued before 1st Feb 2001 automatically gave you a full moped licence. You could ride without L plates or a CBT, but it's not recommended. Training really is essential.

Car licences issued after 1st Feb. 2001 now only give a moped entitlement. You need a CBT as well but that CBT is presently valid for the life of your car licence (but only for a moped).

If you pass your car test after 1st Feb. 2001, do a CBT, then send both certificates to DVLA and get the full moped entitlement on your licence.

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT):
Can only be carried out with Approved Training Bodies using qualified Instructors, all regulated by the Driving Standards Agency and the course content is laid down by law.

DL 196 (CBT) certificates issued before 1st Feb 2001 were valid for 3 years from date of issue. Certificates issued from 1st Feb. 2001 are only valid for 2 years.

The CBT must be re-taken if both theory and practical tests haven't been passed before expiry.

A CBT obtained on a moped is also valid for motorcycle (at 17yrs old).
If you passed a full moped test after 1st Dec 1990, you don't need a CBT for motorcycle.

Residents on some remote islands are exempt from CBT (but only on those islands). Check with DVLA / DSA if you think your location may be exempt.

If you do your CBT on a motorcycle with sidecar or a moped with more than 2 wheels; your provisional entitlement will be restricted to that same type of vehicle.

You can do a CBT using a motorcycle & sidecar combination or other 3 wheeler but, if you do, then your CBT will be qualified and only valid for 3 wheelers


Motorcycle Training

As stated above, CBT training can only be carried out by Approved Training Bodies and Instructors.

For (up to) 125cc learner bikes, you can teach yourself and/or be taught by a mate; it's perfectly legal as long as your mate isn't paid anything. If he/she takes any money then that's "professional instruction" and the Instructor must be qualified (ask to see his/her DSA licence).

For Direct Access, you are only allowed on road if accompanied by a qualified Instructor, on another motorcycle and in radio contact at all times. So professional training is the only route here.


The Theory Test

You will have to pass the Theory Test before taking a practical test for a moped or motorcycle.

A full car licence does NOT exempt you from the Theory Test anymore.

The theory test is not required if you have passed a two part moped test or a lower category motorcycle test since 1st July 1996. It can be taken before you take a CBT but it must be a Motorcycle theory test, even if you have just sat the Car theory test.

The Theory Test Pass Certificate is valid for 2 years.

The pass mark is 43 out of 50 multiple-choice questions. You get 57 minutes to do it and results are given on the day. The test uses a touch-screen computer but the questions can be read to you on earphones and you may ask for an extended special needs test if necessary.

From October 2002, they added a hazard perception test as well, video clips and testing 'Hazard Perception'.

Theory Test quiz book's are available from bookseller's, or better still a recommended CD-Rom, containing a mock test.

Any training school will be happy to test and help you with your knowledge for the Theory Test.


Licence / Test Groups

Moped is, by law: Max. 31 mph, 50 cc, age 16 or over.
To ride a moped you need:
Provisional moped entitlement
A CBT certificate
Then ride with "L" plates
Pass Theory Test
Pass Moped test
Ride without "L" plates and even carry a pillion passenger
But remember if you de-restrict your moped, it's then legally a motorcycle.

A1 "Light Motorcycle" is, by law: Max. 125cc, 11kW / 14.6 Bhp, age 17 or over.
To ride a Light Motorcycle you need:
Provisional motorcycle entitlement
A CBT certificate (unless you've already passed a moped test, see above)
Then ride with "L" plates
Pass Theory Test (unless you already hold moped licence from 1st July 1996, see above)
Pass your test on a machine between 75 & 125 cc.
Ride without "L" plates and carry a pillion passenger -- but only bikes up to 125cc and 11kW

A2 "Standard Motorcycle" is, by law: 25kW / 33 Bhp & Power/Weight ratio below 16kW/kg, age 17 or over.
To ride a Standard Motorcycle you need:
Provisional motorcycle entitlement
A CBT certificate (unless you've already passed a moped or A1 test, see above)
Then ride with "L" plates on machines up to 125cc and up to 11 kW only,
Pass Theory Test (unless you've already passed moped or A1 test, see above)
Pass your test on a machine between 120 & 125 cc, capable of at least 62 mph.
Ride without "L" plates and carry a pillion passenger on any bike but you are restricted to a 33 bhp machine for 2 years; after that, you're free to ride any bike, there is no re-test.

"Direct Access" is, by law: Over 35kW / 46 Bhp, age 21 or over.
To ride "Direct Access" you need :
Provisional motorcycle entitlement
A CBT certificate (unless you've already passed a moped, A1 or A2 test, see above)
Pass Theory Test (unless you've already passed a moped, A1 or A2 test, see above)
Learn only with an approved Instructor, in radio contact, on a machine over 35kW / 46.6Bhp.
Pass your test on a machine over 46.6 Bhp.
Ride any bike you want straight way, without "L" plates and carry a pillion passenger.

"Accelerated Access" (A2 licence holders, reaching 21 before their 2 year restriction ends)
Learn only under controlled instruction, with "L" plates, all as for Direct Access.
A test failure won't affect your existing A2 licence.


Feel free to add any corrections/updates 

[toxicspark]

You said:    "A2 "Standard Motorcycle" is, by law: 25kW / 33 Bhp & Power/Weight ratio below 16kW/kg, age 17 or over."]


Do you know which is the legally binding of the three since kw are measured at the crank (basically impossible), bhp - yep that's measurable but takes no account of bike weight so I would assume that power/weight ratio is the one that is defined in statute - but I don't know.

I ask as I think there are a few unrestricted bikes that weigh so much that an A2 will suffice.... basic Harley's spring to mind

[notoriusb.e.n]

If its more than 33bhp at the wheel, then its not eligible. A harley is way more than 33bhp as standard, so would not be legal. They go by manufacturers published specs, so if harley say 180bhp, then thats what they'll take as read. Weight doesn't mean jack.

Bhp is the main one they go by. power to weight, and kw are largely ignored.

[Mr Mandy]

Bhp is the main one they go by. power to weight, and kw are largely ignored.

Aye, the rest are just a product of EU influence in our way of life

[wow]

Although I have seen A2 quite a lot on the internet as a category for a restricted licence. Your licence category on the licence itself does not mention this. Instead it says <25 KW.

[wow]

If its more than 33bhp at the wheel, then its not eligible. A harley is way more than 33bhp as standard, so would not be legal. They go by manufacturers published specs, so if harley say 180bhp, then thats what they'll take as read. Weight doesn't mean jack.

Bhp is the main one they go by. power to weight, and kw are largely ignored.

Err no. A lot of specs (brochures and internet) are now just in KW. I found that out when I was looking for a new bike over a year ago. Not in HP or BHP.

[muddysuvner]

Although I have seen A2 quite a lot on the internet as a category for a restricted licence. Your licence category on the licence itself does not mention this. Instead it says <25 KW.

The 'A2' refers to the type of test, it'll say A2 on the pass certificate, but when you get a licence it'll be the same as a normal bike licence but with =<25KW in the 'codes' column on the back of the photocard

The thing that is a bit odd though is nowhere on the licence does it say the date the restriction ends

[notoriusb.e.n]

Err no. A lot of specs (brochures and internet) are now just in KW. I found that out when I was looking for a new bike over a year ago. Not in HP or BHP.

Thats some europeanisational gubbins though. The dyno's measure to Bhp, the insurers take it in bhp, the cops quite likely do the same. and its simpler to think in bhp.

[toxicspark]

mmmm... think I may have to look up the relevant parliamentary paper/Act as voted.....