Legal information
Learning To Ride A Motorcycle
You must be aged 17 or over to ride a motorcycle. you may ride a moped at age 16.
As a learner rider you may ride a motorcycle with an engine size of up to 125cc and a power output no greater than 11kw (14.6 bhp).
Learner riders aged 21 or older may ride larger machines when under the supervision of a certified direct access instructor.
As a learner rider you must diplay L-plates, you must not carry pillion passengers or ride on motorways.
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
Before you ride a moped or motorcycle on the road you must complete a CBT course. You may ride on the road, under the supervision of an approved instructor, as part of that training course.
Provisional licence for motorcycles- up to 31st January 2001
Since 1 January 1997 all learner moped and motorcycle riders irrespective of when a licence was issued must have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course before riding a moped or motorcycle.
Provisional licence for motorcycles- since 1 February 2001
All learner riders must complete CBT before riding a moped or motorcycle on the road.
On successful completion of CBT you will get a training certificate (DL196). Certificates are valid for 2 years. Keep your certificate safe because you will need to show it to the examiner when you take your moped or motorcycle test. You may also need to show it to the police.
Full car licence holders riding mopeds
If you pass a car driving test after 1 February 2001 you will be required to undertake CBT before riding a moped on the road unless you already hold a full motorcycle or moped licence.
If you already hold a full car licence, or passed a car test before 1 February 2001, you are not required to take CBT before riding a moped but you encouraged to do so.
The theory test
You will normally have to pass the theory test, as well as the practical test to gain a full motorcycle licence.
Motorcycle licence categories
Ther are two classes of motorcycle licence:
Category A
Category A includes all motorcycles. A full category A licence gives entitlement to ride machines larger than 125cc.
Sub-category A1 (light motorcycles)
Sub-category A1 includes motorcycles up to 125cc, with a power output not exeeding 11kw (14.6bhp). To gain a full A1 licence, you may take a practical test on a motorcycle with an engine capacity between 75cc and 125cc.
If you are aged 21 or over, you may take your Category A test on a normal learner motorcyle or on a large motorcycle - at least 35kW (46.6bhp) - under the Direct Access scheme. You may practise on a motorcycle larger than 125cc only while you are accompanied by a certified direct access instructor. If you pass a test on a large motorcycle, your full licence will be unrestricted. If you have already obtained a full category A licence and reach age 21 before the end of the two year restriction period, you may wish to practice on a motorcycle larger than 25kW before taking a test. If so you must display L-plates and be accompanied by a certified direct access instructor.
A full category A licence gives full sub-catagory A1 and full moped (category P) entitlement. A full category A1 also gives full moped (category P) entitlement.