How To Get Your Moped Licence
If you have reached the age of 16 you can get a moped licence. Before you can start riding a moped on the road, you must first get your provisional moped licence and then complete your compulsory basic training (CBT). You can then start riding a moped on the road as a learner with some restrictions in place e.g. your moped must have L plates. A moped is any motorcycle which has:
- an engine capacity of no greater than 50cc
- a max speed of 31 mph (50 kph)
- a weight no more than 250kg
The next step towards getting your full moped licence is the motorcycle theory test. When you've passed this test you can book your practical moped test. Success in the practical moped test will get you a full moped licence (also called a full category P entitlement). This allows you to ride your moped without the provisional licence restrictions.
Provisional Moped Licence
To get a provisional moped licence, you must submit an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You can do this by applying online or by post. If you want to apply by post, you can get the provisional licence application form (the D1 form) at your local post office or from the DVLA itself. The fee for your provisional licence is £38.00. When you receive your provisional licence you may not ride on the road until you complete your CBT.
For more details on the exact process of applying for your provisional moped licence, including the required fees and payment methods, the identification process and the required photographs, go this section for more on the Provisional Moped Licence
Compulsory Basic Training - CBT
The CBT is a day's training in the basics of riding a motorcycle. You must have a provisional licence to do your CBT. You do not need any previous motorcycling experience to do your CBT. You can do your CBT at any DSA approved training body. There are many such training bodies all over the UK, see my directory.
After completing the CBT you will get a DL196 certificate which validates your provisional moped licence. Your DL196 certificate is valid for two years. Your provisional moped licence and valid DL196 certificate allow you to ride any moped on the road, but with the following restrictions in place:
- Your moped must have L plates (D plates in Wales)
- You may not ride with a passenger on the pillion
- You cannot ride on motorways
Check out my section on Compulsory Basic Training for the exact low down on the CBT, including where to book, what to bring and what to expect.
Exceptions to applying for a Provisional Licence or doing the CBT
- If your full car driving licence was issued before 1 Feb 2001, then you already have a full moped entitlement on that licence (full category P entitlement), so you are not legally required to do the CBT and can ride a moped without restrictions. I strongly urge you to do the CBT anyway as it is proven to significantly reduce the number of accidents that new riders have!
- If you passed your car driving licence from 1 Feb 2001 onwards, then you do not need to apply for a provisional moped licence as your driving licence was issued with a full category P entitlement. However you must do your CBT to validate the moped entitlement on that licence. Once you've completed the CBT you have a full moped licence and can ride mopeds without the learner rider restrictions. The DL196 certificate that you receive from doing your CBT in this case only expires with your driving licence when you turn 70.
Motorcycle Theory Test
If you have a provisional category P entitlement and you have done your CBT then you can go for your full moped licence. This is a good idea because your CBT certificate expires after two years and redoing it wastes time and money.
To get your full moped licence you must first pass the motorcycle theory at a Driving Standards Agency (DSA) test centre. You must pass the motorcycle theory test before you can book your practical moped test. For exact details on the theory test including how to prepare, how to book and what to expect go to my Motorcycle Theory Test section.
Practical Moped Test
The last test is the practical moped test. During this test an examiner will examine your riding skills on the road. If you pass you will be issued with a full category P entitlement which means you can toss the L plates and carry a pillion passenger. See my section on the Practical Motorcycle Test for instructions on how to book, tips on preparing, what to bring and what to expect.
Note
- Mopeds are not allowed on motorways, regardless of what licence you hold!
- If you have a full motorcycle licence you can ride a moped without restrictions.
- Motorcycles with automatic transmission are often referred to as scooters. If you do your CBT or your practical mope test on a scooter then you can also ride any moped with automatic transmission.
The Routes to Your Licence
