THINK! advice - mopeds and motorcycles: routes to your licence

Welcome to motorcycling

This leaflet explains what you need to do before you start to ride a motorcycle or moped.

Definitions

For the purposes of this leaflet we have defined three types of motorcycle.

• A 'moped' is a motorcycle that has the following features:
  - engine up to 50cc
  - maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h (approx 31 mph)

• A 'learner motorcycle' has the following features:
  - engine up to 125cc
  - power output* not exceeding 11kW.

• A 'large motorcycle' has the following features:
  - power output of at least 35kW.

No differentiation is made between 'motorcycle' and 'scooter'. See the General information section for specific advice on 'automatics'.

Driving licences

Provisional moped licence

You can only hold a provisional licence if you are at least 16 years old. It entitles you to ride a moped on the road as a learner with L-plates (D-plates in Wales). You MAY NOT carry pillion passengers or use motorways.

Your provisional licence is only valid while you hold a current DL196 certificate issued by an Approved Training Body to show that you have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. CBT certificates are valid for two years from the date of issue.

A CBT certificate obtained on a moped is also valid for motorcycles once you have reached the age of 17 years and have the necessary provisional licence.

Provisional moped licences are valid until age 70.

Full moped licence

A full moped licence (obtained after passing a moped test) automatically gives you provisional motorcycle entitlement. However, you must be at least 17 years old to take up the provisional entitlement.

Provisional motorcycle licence

You can only hold this licence if you are at least 17 years old. It entitles you to ride a moped or a motorcycle as a learner with L-plates. You may practice unaccompanied on a learner motorcycle after you have completed a CBT course. You MAY NOT carry pillion passengers or use motorways. For larger machines the Direct Access accompanying rider rules apply (see below).

Provisional motorcycle licences are valid until age 70.

Full car licence

If you passed a car test before 1 February 2001, you are automatically entitled to ride a moped without L-plates and without taking CBT (although it is recommended that you do take the course). If you passed a car test on or after that date, you will still receive full moped entitlement but will need to complete CBT before riding on the road. The CBT certificate issued to you is then valid for the duration of your car driving licence while riding a moped only.

Your full car licence also gives you provisional motorcycle entitlement. If you did not apply for provisional (category A) motorcycle entitlement at the time you applied for your car licence your driving licence may not show this provisional entitlement. In that case you will need to obtain a new licence from DVLA (using form D1) before taking CBT and riding on the roads for the first time. After you have completed CBT you may ride a learner motorcycle with L-plates. You MAY NOT carry pillion passengers or use motorways. For larger machines the Direct Access accompanying rider rules apply (see below).

Training

What training do I need to take?

The starting point for learners is Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). This is a course run by training bodies approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

Official Motorcycling: CBT, Theory and Practical Test published by DSA explains what to expect on the course.

Most DSA Approved Training Bodies have bikes and safety equipment, eg helmets, available for hire by trainees.

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

• You MUST complete CBT before riding on the roads for the first time.
• CBT certificates (DL 196) are valid for two years from the date of issue.
• You will need to re-take CBT if you do not pass both the theory and practical tests before your CBT certificate expires.

CBT must be completed before riding on the road by all learners who are resident on mainland Great Britain, on islands that are connected to the mainland by a road, and on the following islands: Wight, North Uist, Lewis, South Uist, Harris, Benbecula, mainland Orkney and mainland Shetland. Residents of all other islands are exempt from the need to take CBT, but only if riding on roads which are on an exempted island.

A CBT certificate issued when the course has been completed on a motorcycle and sidecar combination, or a moped with more than two wheels, will restrict the provisional riding entitlement (or full moped entitlement on a full car licence) to such vehicles.

Once you have successfully completed CBT, and have your certificate (DL 196), you can carry on to take additional training to pass the theory and practical tests and qualify for a full motorcycle or moped licence.

Testing

What test do I need to take?

There are three categories of full licence to aim for:

• Category P - moped.
• Sub-category A1 - light motorcycle licence, which restricts riders to any bike up to 125cc and a power output of 11kW.
• Category A - standard motorcycle licence.

Moped and motorcycle tests consist of two separate parts - a theory test and a practical test. DSA's book Official Motorcycling: CBT, theory and practical test explains what to expect.

Theory test

You will need to pass a theory test before booking and taking a practical test for a moped or a motorcycle.

However, you do not need to take a theory test if you already hold a full licence for another category of motorcycle or have passed a moped test since 1 July 1996.

The computer based theory test consists of two parts - 35 multiple choice questions and hazard perception. It is recommended that you undergo training before attempting the theory test. DSA has a range of publications and training aids specifically designed to help learner riders.

The theory test pass certificate is valid for two years. If you do not pass the practical test within this period you will need to re-take the theory test successfully.

Practical test

• Category P - the practical test can be taken on a moped.
• Sub-category A1 - the practical test must be taken on a bike of between 75cc and 125cc.
• Category A - the practical test must be taken on a bike of between 121cc and 125cc and capable of at least 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph). After passing the standard motorcycle practical test you will be restricted for two years to riding a machine with a power output of up to 25kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg. After the two year period you may ride any bike.

However, riders over the age of 21, or those who reach 21 before their two year restriction ends, have further test options:

Option 1: Direct Access

If you do not already hold a full motorcycle licence you may, after completing CBT and passing the theory test, take the practical test on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kW. A pass would then allow you to ride any bike.

All or part of the CBT course may be taken on either a learner bike or a large bike.

You may practise for the practical test on a large bike provided you:

• are accompanied AT ALL TIMES by an authorised Direct Access instructor who is riding another bike and in radio contact
• wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and
• follow all other provisional licence restrictions.

Option 2: Accelerated Access

If you already hold a full motorcycle licence and reach age 21 while still within the two year restricted period and wish to ride bikes larger than 25kW, you may practise and take a further test on a large bike. The same test and practice conditions set out above for Direct Access riders apply AT ALL TIMES while you are riding a large bike.

Although you revert to learner status while practising, test failure will not affect your existing motorcycle licence entitlement.

General information

Automatics

If you pass a practical test on a motorcycle with an automatic gearbox/transmission you will be restricted to riding automatics only.

If you subsequently wish to ride a bike with a manual gearbox, you will be restricted to a motorcycle up to 125cc and must ride as a learner with Lplates. For larger machines the Direct Access accompanying rider rules apply. If you wish to ride a motorcycle with a manual gearbox as a full licence holder you will need to pass a further practical test (but you will not need to re-do CBT or take a theory test).

Restrictions on automatics do not apply to automatic mopeds.

Motorcycle/sidecar combinations

You may use a motorcycle/sidecar combination for CBT. Your CBT certificate will then restrict you to ride combinations only. You would need to re-take CBT on a solo machine before taking the practical motorcycling test.

In general the practical motorcycling test cannot be taken using a motorcycle/sidecar combination. However, if you have a physical disability which prevents you from riding a solo machine you may use a combination. If successful your licence would then be valid only for riding combinations.

You may practice on a combination with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg. On obtaining a full standard category A licence you will be restricted to a combination with the above power/weight ratio for two years. At age 21 you may, subject to Direct or Accelerated Access provisions, practice and take your test on a larger combination.

Newly qualified riders (and drivers)

After you have passed your first driving test (either car or bike) you are effectively 'on probation' for two years. If during that time you clock up six or more penalty points you will revert to being a learner! You would have to re-apply for a provisional licence and re-do CBT before riding on the road with L-plates on a learner bike. You would also have to re-take and pass both the theory and practical tests.

Three and four wheelers and electric scooters

These are particular types of vehicle to which special licensing rules apply. For further information on rules for these vehicles contact DVLA.

Further information

For more information contact:

• your local motorcycle dealer or rider training company
• your local authority Road Safety Officer or
• the Retail Motor Industry's Consumer Motorline on 08457 585350.

So you want to ride a moped

So you want to ride a motorcycle

If you hold a full moped licence with provisional motorcycle entitlement you will need to:	If you hold a provisional motorcycle licence or a full car licence with provisional motorcycle entitlement you will need to:
Complete CBT - however, this is not required if you passed a moped test after 1 December 1990 or are upgrading from one motorcycle category to a higher category (ie category A1 to category A). Remember - CBT certificates only last for 2 years.
You can now ride a learner motorcycle (up to 125cc and power output not exceeding 11kW) on the road while displaying L-plates. You may not ride on motorways or carry a pillion passenger.	If you are over 21 years of age you may practice for the practical test on a large motorcycle provided you are accompanied AT ALL TIMES by an authorised Direct Access instructor who is riding another motorcycle and is in radio contact. You must wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions.
Pass the theory test - however this is not required if you have already passed a 2-part moped test or a 2-part test for a lower category of motorcycle. Remember - theory test pass certificates only last for 2 years.

Pass the motorcycle practical test
If you pass the practical test on a category A1 'light motorcycle' (75cc to 125cc and a maximum design speed of less than 100kmh) you can discard your L-plates and carry a pillion passenger. Remember - you can only ride machines up to 125cc with a power output not exceeding 11kW.	If you pass the practical test on a category A 'standard motorcycle' (121cc to 125cc and capable of 100kmh) you can discard your L-plates and carry a pillion passenger. Remember - for two years you are restricted to motorcycles up to 25kW with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg. After two years you can ride any machine.	If you pass the practical test on a category A 'large motorcycle' (power output at least 35kW) you can discard your L-plates, carry a pillion passenger and ride any motorcycle.

Conversions (approx)

Weight
1kg = 2.2lbs

Speed
50 km/h = 31 mph
100 km/h = 62 mph

Power

If you have any queries about this leaflet or require details of your local Approved Training Bodies, please contact the Driving Standards Agency. Tel: 0115 901 2500.

DSA's official publications are available from good bookshops or by contacting DSA Merchandise. Tel: 0870 241 4523.

Driving tests - both theory and practical - can be booked on-line via DSA's website www.dsa.gov.uk or tel: 0870 0101 372.

If you have any queries about driver licensing contact DVLA on 0870 240 0009.

For queries about vehicle licensing contact DVLA on 0870 240 0010.