License Requirements

Bike Riders

Before you begin

From the age of 16, you can start training for your motorcycle licence. Although most people may tell you if you can ride a bicycle, you can ride a motorbike - learning to ride a motorbike or scooter isnt always as easy as it may look or seem! Before you start training, you must apply for a provisional motorbike/moped licence.

If you held a full car licence before 1st February 2001, you are entitled to ride up to a 50cc moped as long as you display 'L' plates (Or 'D' plates in Wales) on the front and rear of your moped at all times, and you are not allowed to ride on motorways or carry a pillion passenger.

If you obtained your full car licence after 1st February 2001, you must first complete a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course before you are allowed to ride any motorcycle/moped. You are automatically entitled to take a CBT course if you hold a full car licence, without having to apply to the DVLA for a provisional motorbike/moped licence.

Provisional Licence Entitlement
If you are 16 years old and hold a valid provisional motorcycle/moped licence, but haven't yet completed a CBT course, you are not yet allowed to ride on the road. In order to be legally allowed on the road, you must complete a CBT course and obtain a DL196 certificate. Once you have completed this course you are allowed to ride up to a 50cc moped as long as you display 'L' plates (or 'D' plates in Wales)on the front and rear of your moped, don't go onto motorways, don't carry a pillion passenger - for 2 years minimum. Once you turn 17 you can then ride up to a 125cc scooter or bike.

If you took your CBT when you were 16 on a 50cc moped with no gears, and you now want to ride up to a 125cc bike with gears then we advise that you either take another CBT or speak to an instructor and ask them if they could teach you how to ride with gears.

What is a Moped?
A moped is classified as a motorcycle but has the following specifications; Maximum speed of 50km per hour (about 31mph) Maximum engine capacity of 50cc If the moped was first used before 1 September 1977, should be able to be moved by pedals

Types of Full motorcycle licenses
There are 2 different types of full motorcycle licenses which you can aim for. These are:

A light motorcycle licence (A1).

Having an A1 licence restricts riders to any motorcycle up to a 125cc and a power output of 11kW (14.6bhp - Brake Horse Power). The motorcycle test must be taken on a motorcycle between 75cc and 125cc.

A standard motorcycle licence (A).

An A licence can only be obtained if the test is taken on a motorcycle between 120cc and 125cc and capable of a minimum 100 km/h (about 60mph). This test can be taken by anyone over the age of 17 years.

When you have passed your standard test, you are restricted to ride a motorcycle of no more than 25kW (33bhp) for 2 years.

If you're 21 or over, or if you reach 21 within the 2 year period, there are quicker ways of obtaining entitlement to ride a more powerful bike. They are called the Direct Access Scheme (DAS) and the Accelerated Access Scheme (AAS). The practical test must be taken on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kw. If your practical test is passed on an automatic motorcycle the full licence gained will be restricted to automatic bikes only.

How to choose a qualified instructor Before taking any motorcycle training, you want to make sure you are being taught by a qualified and licensed instructor. To find out if you being taught by a qualified instructor, we recommend that you ask the following questions.

Ask the training school if their instructors are certified by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and if they have an Approved Training Body (ATB holder). For an instructor to be qualified to teach CBT's, they must have completed a 2 day assessment and their ATB must have sites approved by the DSA for off-road training.

If you require any further information about licenses please visit www.dsa.gov.uk