Are you new to motorcycling?

Riding a motorcycle or scooter can be fun, safe and practical, with the right training behind you.

As motorcyclists are much more vunerable than most other road users, it is essential to undertake good quality training, with a qualified instructor.

By law you must complete and pass a least a CBT (compulsory basic training) course before riding any moped, scooter, or motorcycle on the road. Passing the CBT will give you a DL196 certificate which is valid for 2 years. You must also have a driving licence which allows you to ride motorcycles (category A). You can apply for your first provisional driving licence, or add motorcycle provisional entitlement to a current driving licence if neccessary, by using forms D1 and D750, available at post offices.

Under normal circumstances, the only situations where a CBT pass is not required for a NEW BIKER, is where a person only wants to ride a moped (up to 49cc), and passed both the car tests (practical and Theory) before 1st Feb 2001.

I'm 16 what can I ride?

At sixteen you can ride a moped (often scooter type) with an engine capacity of up to 49cc. You will need to have a provisional licence with motorcycle entitlement, and have passed the CBT, before riding on the road. Any moped registered after 1st August 1977 should be restricted to a top speed of around 30mph.

You will need to display L plates, and you cannot carry a passenger. If you take and pass a moped theory and practical test, you will have a FULL MOPED LICENCE (Category P). This will allow you to ride a moped without L-Plates, and you can carry a passenger. ask your CBT trainer for full details.

I'm 17 + what can I ride / which motorcycle test should I take?

At seventeen you can ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity of up to 125cc. You will need to have a provisional licence with motorcycle entitlement, and have passed the CBT, before riding on the road. You will need to display L plates, and you cannot carry a passenger.

You can take and pass a motorcycle theory and practical test (using a 121-125cc machine capable of at least 62.5mph) (A CATEGORY), which will allow you to ride a motorcycle of any capacity, but with RESTRICTED POWER (33BHP), for 2 years. After the 2 years, you can ride a motorcycle of any capacity.

Whilst under the 33 BHP restriction, the choice is to ride a bike that is up to 33bhp as standard (E.g aprox 250cc), or to fit a larger capacity (typically 400-600cc) with a restrictor kit. Ask your motorcycle dealer and insurance company about this before choosing a bike.

NOTE- There is an alternative full motorcycle test (A1) using a low power machine (75 - 125 cc, with a power output not exceeding 14.6 brake horse power), but with the restriction that upon passing you can only ride a limited power bike up to 125cc. Most bike trainers would advise against this test, unless you only ever want to ride a small motorcycle.

I'm 21+ what motorcycle test should I take?

If you are 21 years or older, you can take a Direct Access motorcycle test. This entails taking the practical motorcycle test on a motorcycle of over 46.6BHP (typically 500cc). Upon successfull completion, you can ride a motorcycle of any capacity straight away.