How To Get Your Motorcycle Licence
To get a motorcycle licence you must be 17 or older. Before you can hit the road, you must first a provisional motorcycle licence and then complete your compulsory basic training (CBT) to validate your provisional licence. You will then be allowed to ride a light motorcycle as a learner with some restrictions in place.
The next step to getting a full motorbike licence is to pass the motorcycle theory test. Finally, you must successfully complete a motorcycle practical test. If you pass the practical test you will be issued with your full motorcycle licence.
There are some situations in which you are exempt from having to do the CBT and the motorcycle theory test. There are also different types of motorcycle licences. I will cover the options in detail.
Provisional Motorcycle Licence
If you are 17 or over, you can obtain a provisional motorcycle licence by submitting an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The application form is called the D1 form and you can pick one up at your local Post Office. Alternatively you can request the form from the DVLA itself. You can also apply online for your provisional motorcycle licence on the DVLA website. After you receive your provisional motorcycle licence, you may only start riding on the road upon completing your CBT. Note that if you have a full car driving licence, then you probably have a provisional motorcycle entitlement on that licence - check it for category A provisional entitlement to find out.
There are a few situations in which you will already have a provisional motorcycle licence through having gotten a full car driving licence or a moped licence. For these and the exact process of applying including how to apply, the fees and payment methods, photographs and the identification requirements go to in my section on getting your Provisional Motorcycle Licence
Compulsory asic Training - CBT
You must do your CBT before you are allowed to ride on the road. The CBT is a day of motorcycle training which teaches you the basics of how to ride and highlights safety matters. No previous motorcycling experience is needed when doing your CBT. You can book the CBT at one of many DSA approved training companies all around the UK. See my motorcycle directory section for Motorcycle Schools and Training in your area.
Upon completing your CBT, you will be issued with a DL196 certificate which is valid for two years and validates your provisional motorcycle licence. You can now ride any light motorcycle, which is any bike with:
- an engine capacity of no more than 125cc
- a power output of no higher than 11 kW (14.6 bhp)
- the motorbike must have L plates (D plates in Wales) front and back
- you cannot carry a passenger on the pillion
- you may not ride no motorways
Be sure to read my section on Compulsory Basic Training for precise information on what to bring and wear to your CBT, where to book and what you will learn during all the training modules on the day.
Exemption from doing the CBT
- A DL196 certificate validates any provisional motorcycle licence that you hold. So if you did your CBT to validate your provisional moped licence (provisional category P entitlement) and you then turn 17 and get a provisional motorbike licence (provisional category A entitlement) then you do not have to redo your CBT because your single valid DL196 certificate validates both of the provisional entitlements.
- If you have a full moped license and you passed it on or after 1 December 1990, then you can ride a light motorcycle without having to do the CBT (with L plates, no passengers and no motorways)
Motorcycle Theory Test
Once you have a provisional motorcycle licence you can go for your motorcycle theory test. The theory test is conducted at your local DSA testing centre. The theory test comprises of a multiple choice test and a hazard perception test. Both are done on touch screens and have a time limit. When you've passed the theory test you can book your motorcycle practical test.
You need to be well prepared for your theory test, so go to my section which examines the Motorcycle Theory Test so that you can see how to prepare, how to book and pay, where to go and what the test will be comprised of.
Exemption from doing the Motorcycle Theory Test
- If you gained a full moped licence after 1 July 1996 and you did the motorcycle theory test as part of getting the licence, then you can book your motorcycle practical test without having to do the theory test again.
- If you have a full moped licence (category P entitlement) because you got your driving licence before 1 February 2001, you will still have to do the motorcycle theory test because you did not do it as part of getting your full moped licence - the car theory test and the motorcycle theory test are to distinct examinations!
- If you hold a full light motorcycle licence and you want to upgrade to a standard motorcycle licence, then you are exempt from the motorbike theory test again and can simply book your practical test. Same goes if you are upgrading from an automatics only licence.
Practical Motorcycle Test
The practical tests for any full motorbike licence, be it moped, light motorcycle, standard motorcycle, Accelerated Access or DAS are basically the same. It is only the size of the bike that you are tested on that varies depending on which one of the licences you are going for.
Light Motorcycle Licence (Category A1)
To get you full light motorcycle licence you must complete the light motorcycle practical test. The test is done on a bike with an engine capacity between 75cc and 125cc and a max speed exceeding 63 mph (100kph). This licence allows you to ride any motorcycle with an engine capacity of up to 125cc with a maximum power output of 11kW (14.6 bhp). You don't need L plates anymore, you can carry a pillion passenger and you can ride on the motorway.
Standard Motorcycle Licence (Category A)
To get a standard motorcycle licence you must complete the standard motorcycle practical test. Your riding skills will be tested on a motorcycle with an engine capacity between 120cc and 125cc and a max speed exceeding 63 mph (100kph). If you pass the test you will get a restricted full motorcycle licence, also called a category A2 licence. This licence allows you to ride without the L plates, to carry a pillion passenger and to use the motorways. For the first two years you will be allowed to ride any motorcycle up to 25kW (33 bhp) or a power weight ratio of no greater than 0.16kW/kg. When this two year probation period is over, you can ride any size bike regardless of your age.
Accelerated Access
If you turn 21 and you are in the two year restricted period of your full motorcycle licence (category A2 licence) then you can use the Accelerated Access option to get the 25 kW bike restriction removed. This involves taking your practical motorcycle test again, but on a motorbike with a power output of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). If you pass you will get a full standard motorcycle licence and can ride any size bike. If you fail your A2 licence is still valid.
Direct Access Scheme (DAS)
If you are 21 or older then you can choose to take the standard motorcycle test on a motorbike of at least 35 kW. If you pass the test you are issued a full motorcycle licence with no restrictions and can ride any size motorcycle.
There is a lot more to the practical test, so for details on where to book, fees and requirements, how to prepare, what to bring and what to expect during the examination check out my section on the Practical Motorcycle Test
Routes to Your Motorbike Licence
