The licence Before you can even think about riding you must have the correct licence. If you already have a full car licence, you are automatically entitled to ride a learner bike (up to 125cc and 14.6bhp) with 'L' plates and no pillion passengers. If you don't drive already you need to apply for a provisional motorcycle or moped licence. There are a number of different licence categories you can go for, depending on your age and what licence you have already. Moped licence
A moped is defined as a vehicle that must not exceed 30mph, weigh more than 250kg or have an engine over 50cc. The definition for machines registered before 1 September 1977, also includes its propulsion by pedals. You can ride a moped at 16 years old on a provisional motorcycle licence with moped entitlement. You must complete CBT (compulsory basic training), the theory test and the practical moped test to get a full moped licence. Once qualified, you may ride a moped without 'L' plates and carry a pillion passenger. You must not, however, ride on motorways. If you have a full car licence gained after 1 February 2001 you must complete CBT before riding a moped. If your licence was gained before 1 February 2001 you are entitled to ride a moped without taking CBT. Again, once qualified you can ride a moped without 'L' plates and with a pillion, but not on motorways. The A and A1 licence
At 17 you can apply for either an 'A' or 'A1' licence. To gain a full A1 light motorcycle licence you must complete CBT, the theory test and a practical test on a vehicle between 75cc and 125cc. A full 'A1' licence permits you to ride any motorcycle up to 125cc and a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp) without 'L' plates, you may carry a pillion passenger and travel on motorways. For the category 'A' licence you must complete CBT and pass the theory test followed by the practical test on a motorcycle of over 120cc but not larger than 125cc and capable of at least 100kph. A full standard category 'A' licence permits you to ride motorcycles with a power output of up to 25kW (33bhp), and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg, without 'L' plates, carry a pillion passenger and use motorways. The 33bhp ceiling applies for two years (not counting any periods of disqualification). After that you may ride a motorcycle of any capacity and power. Direct access
At 21 or over you have the option to take a test on a larger machine. On passing the test you will be qualified to ride any size of motorcycle without restrictions. This option is called direct access. You must complete CBT, the theory test and a practical test on a motorcycle of at least 35kw (46.6bhp) to qualify for this licence. You are exempt from taking the theory test if you already hold a motorcycle or moped licence. When you are training for direct access you are not permitted to ride on the road unless accompanied by a qualified instructor Accelerated access
If you already hold a full standard category A licence and you reach the age of 21 before the two-year qualifying period is complete you may go for accelerated access. As with direct access you will take a test on a machine with a power output of at least 35kW (46.6bhp) and once qualified you can ride any size of machine. Again, you can practice for this test on motorcycles above 25kW only if a motorcycle instructor accompanies you and you are displaying 'L' plates. You do not need to complete CBT again or pass another theory test. The training
There are three main elements to motorcycle training, the CBT, the Theory Test and the Practical Test: Compulsory basic training: You must complete a course of compulsory basic training (CBT) before you can ride a moped or motorcycle (with or without sidecar) on the road. The CBT can be taken on your own machine or one hired from a training centre and usually takes about a day to complete. The CBT is designed to get you up to speed with the basics before you venture out onto the road. The instructor will check your licence and documents, then you'll learn about clothing and equipment, be given safe riding tips and be shown what does what on a bike. Next comes basic machine control: pulling away, stopping, turning and so on, all done on a training pad (usually an empty car park). Once that's out of the way you'll be allowed on the road with your instructor, to get to grips with riding in traffic and real road situations. When the instructor is happy with your performance you'll be issued with a DL196 certificate and you can go on to the next stage. Remember, the CBT certificate lasts only two years and if you don't pass your test in that time you'll have to retake CBT. You do not have to complete CBT if you have already obtained a full moped entitlement as a result of passing a moped test on or after 1 December 1990, or if you are riding a moped with full entitlement given automatically with a full car licence. The CBT certificate is only valid for two years. The Tests
Theory test: Once the CBT is out of the way you will have to take a theory test. The test consists of 35 multiple choice questions to test your knowledge of road signs, elements of the highway code and the theory behind riding safely on the road. The Official Theory Test for Motorcyclists book is readily available in shops and libraries and contains hundreds of sample questions and answers to help you prepare for the real thing. Practical test: Once you've had a bit more training on the road with your instructor or on your own, the last step towards motorcycling freedom is the practical test. Remember, if you're going for a restricted licence you'll be taking this on a 125cc, but for direct access it will be on a bigger machine. On the day you'll be taken to the test centre where the examiner will check all your documentation is in order (be sure to take some form of ID with a photo and your signature on it if you haven't got a photocard licence (this is to prevent test fraud). Next you'll be kitted up with a two-way radio so the tester can give you instructions during the test and then you will be required to take the same eye test you took at CBT level. After all that, it's out on the road. The examiner will follow you on his machine and issue instructions over the radio - take the next left, take the next right, things like that. There are certain elements you must complete to pass the test: a U-turn, an emergency stop, an angle and hill start and also a slow ride to test your machine control. But examiners are generally looking for a safe, sensible and confident rider overall. Hopefully at this stage you will be celebrating, but don't go overboard. If you pick up six penalty points within the first two years you will lose your licence and have to do the whole thing again. And don't forget the life of your CBT and theory certificates - two years for the theory certificate and two for the CBT (unless your CBT was issued before 1 February 2001, then it's three years). If you fail, get back into the saddle as soon as you can. You won't regret it. RESCOURCES
For information on compulsory basic training or the theory and practical tests you can call the Driving Standards Agency on 0115 901 2515 / 2516. To book a theory or practical test or for any test enquiries call 020 7791 0999 visit www.cbt.me.uk or email cbt@cub90.co.uk The DVLA website is packed with information and links, go to www.dvla.gov.uk | |
