Motorcycle licence requirements.

These requirements for a motorcycle licence are statutory and cannot be avoided.

There are different requirements for different sizes of motorcycle so make sure that you conform with the requirements for the motorcycle that you wish to ride.

If you have a provisional motorcycle licence, you MUST satisfactorily complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. You can then ride on the public road, with L plates (in Wales either D plates, L plates or both can be used), for up to two years. During this time you MUST pass a motorcycle theory test and then a practical test to obtain your full motorcycle licence, otherwise you will lose your licence for one year.
Law RTA 1988 sect 97

If you have a full car licence you may ride motorcycles up to 125cc and 11kW power output, with L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), on public roads, but you MUST first satisfactorily complete a CBT course if you have not already done so.

If you have a full moped licence and wish to obtain full motorcycle entitlement you will be required to take a motorcycle theory test if you do not take a separate theory test when you obtained your moped licence. You MUST then pass a motorcycle test.

Note that if CBT was completed for the full moped licence there is no need to repeat it, but if the moped test was taken before 1/12/90 CBT will need to be completed before riding a motorcycle as a learner.
Law MV(DL)R 1996 reg 39(1)

Light motorcycle licence (A1): you take a test on a motorcycle of between 75 and 125cc. If you pass you may ride a motorcycle up to 125cc with power output up to 11kW.

Standard motorcycle licence (A): if your test vehicle is between 120cc and 125cc and capable of more than 100 kph you will be given a standard (A) licence. You will then be restricted to motorcycles of up to 25kW for two years. After two years you may ride any size machine.

Direct or Accelerated Access enables riders over the age of 21, or those who reach 21 before their two year restriction ends, to ride larger motorcycles sooner. To obtain a licence to do so they are required to

• have successfully completed a CBT course
• pass a theory test, if they are required to do so
• pass a practical test on a machine with power output of at least 35kW.

To practise, they can ride larger motorcycles, with L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), on public roads, but only when accompanied by an approved instructor on another motorcycle in radio contact.

You MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger or pull a trailer until you have passed your test.
Law MV(DL)R reg 15

Moped Licence Requirements
Mopeds are up to 50cc with a maximum speed of 50kph.

To ride a moped, learners MUST

• be 16 or over
• have a provisional moped licence
• complete CBT training

You MUST first pass the theory test for motorcycles and then the moped practical test to obtain your full moped licence. If you have a full car licence you are qualified to ride a moped without L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), although it is recommended that you complete CBT before riding on the road.

Note. The following gives exemption from taking the theory test

• full car licence
• full A1 motorcycle licence
• full moped licence, if gained after 1/7/96.

Laws MV(DL)R 1996 no 2824(as amended)