The method you use to get a moped or motorcycle licence depends on:<\/p>\n
New riders need to get a provisional driving licence<\/a> to ride on public roads. The next step is to complete compulsory basic training (CBT)<\/a> and get your certificate.<\/p>\n If you do not pass both parts of the motorcycle practical test within two (2) years of passing the theory test, you would need to start the process over again.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Different rules apply if you held a motorcycle or a moped licence before the 19th of January 2013 (further details below).<\/p>\n There are several different bike categories, age limits, and licence requirements to be aware of. Check the tables below to make sure you are old enough and get the right entitlement on your bike licence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The DVLA have changed the way moped entitlements show up on licences. But, you must still be at least sixteen (16) years old to ride a moped or scooter in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n If you already hold a valid car driving licence<\/a>, you can ride a moped (up to 50cc) without taking the moped test and without displaying ‘L’ plates.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You now need to get the correct provisional entitlement, and pass the CBT, to ride a motor tricycle or trike (unless you are physically disabled).<\/p>\n But, providing you are over 21 years old and hold a full car driving licence, you can drive a motor tricycle with any power rating.<\/p>\n You must have a full category A1 motorbike licence to ride any motor tricycles with a power output up to 15 kW. You need a full category A motorbike licence to ride any trikes with a power output over 15 Kilowatts (kW).<\/p>\n After completing the CBT, not passing the theory and motorcycle tests within two (2) years would mean you must do the CBT again.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Provisional category B car licences (and provisional category A licences) now only cover people with a physical disability to ride motor tricycles. Driving tests for 3-wheeled vehicles are only available for physically disabled drivers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rules change if you have a full EU driving licence. In this case, before you take CBT motorcycle and moped training<\/a>, you would need to (either):<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Registering an EU driving licence means you would need to exchange it for a GB licence after passing the theory and practical tests.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You must have the correct provisional driving licence before you start learning to ride a motorbike or moped. You can learn to ride on your own bike, but you must ensure:<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Ride book and the DVSA Guide to Riding are available for purchase online.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All motorbike riders must pass the official DVSA motorcycle theory test<\/a> before taking the practical versions of the motorcycle and moped tests<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You would be able to take the DVSA enhanced rider scheme after passing the motorcycle test. It is a scheme that checks riding skills and provides extra training to help riders improve.<\/p>\n You would need to be a fully licensed motorcyclist and have already passed the motorbike test. If so, the scheme is most suitable for riders who:<\/p>\n As a rule, the DVSA enhanced riding scheme will take around two (2) hours to complete and results in a ‘DVSA certificate of competence’.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: There is no ‘pass or fail’ test. But, successful completion of the enhanced rider scheme qualifies you for a discount on motorbike insurance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nothing changes for riders who has held a motorcycle or a moped licence before the 19th of January in 2013. So, you will keep any existing entitlements and you can still ride the same kind of motorbikes you had entitlement to before the rule changes.<\/p>\n But, driving licences changed in January 2013 (to comply with EU rules) and now look different. Anyone who gets a new licence may have their entitlements shown differently.<\/p>\n The new rules for motorbike categories, for ages, and licence requirements below, shows what will happen if you want to get higher entitlements (e.g. for riding a motorbike with a bigger engine size).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The driving licence will show as category P for anyone already licensed to ride a moped and the new rules will not affect them. But, any new licences issued will show categories AM and Q beside the existing category P.<\/p>\n In simple terms, it means you also have entitlement to ride 2 or 3-wheeled mopeds with a top speed of no more than 50 km\/h.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Passing the car driving test before the 1st of February 2001 means there is no need for you to take compulsory basic training (CBT) to ride a scooter. Even so, you would need to complete CBT training to ride a motorbike.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n You would need to take CBT training to ride a moped if you passed the car driving test from the 1st of February 2001. But, there would be no need to take further theory and practical tests (or repeat the CBT course).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Riders who are already licensed to ride a motorcycle will have category A showing on their licence. So, nothing will change even if it is renewed or replaced after the 19th of January 2013.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Holding category B1 entitlement (e.g. for trikes and quads<\/a>) will show categories B1 and A on any renewed or replaced licence after the 19th of January 2013. The A entitlement is limited to tricycles. So, you would not be able to ride motorbikes that it previously allowed you to.<\/p>\n Non-disabled drivers would need to pass CBT, as well as the theory and practical tests, on a 2-wheeled motorbike to get entitlement to ride motor tricycles.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: The DVLA flowchart has step-by-step instructions on how to get a moped or motorbike licence<\/a>. A different guide explains which driving licence you need to ride a motorcycle<\/a> in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: You can apply for a provisional licence<\/a> before taking the theory or practical tests. Other sections explain how the theory test works<\/a> and what happens in the motorcycle, moped, and scooter tests<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nRiding a Motorcycle<\/h4>\n
Riding a Moped<\/h4>\n
Motor Tricycles (trikes)<\/h4>\n
Riders with a Full EU Driving Licence<\/h4>\n
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Learning to Ride a Motorcycle<\/h4>\n
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Taking Full Motorcycle Tests<\/h4>\n
DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme<\/h4>\n
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\nLicences Issued before 19th of January 2013<\/h2>\n
Scooters<\/h3>\n
Moped Category Changes<\/h5>\n
Car Driving Test Passed before 1st of February 2001<\/h5>\n
Car Driving Test Passed since 1st of February 2001<\/h5>\n
Motorcycles<\/h5>\n
Motor Tricycles<\/h5>\n
\nMotorbike Categories and Licence Requirements<\/h3>\n
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\n Category<\/th>\n Types of Vehicles You Can Ride<\/th>\n Licence Requirements<\/th>\n Minimum Age<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n AM<\/td>\n Mopeds with a speed range of 25 to 45 km\/h<\/td>\n Compulsory basic training (CBT), motorcycle theory test, practical test on all powered 2-wheeled moped<\/td>\n Sixteen (16)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n AM<\/td>\n Small 3-wheelers (up to 50 cc and below 4 kW)<\/td>\n CBT, motorcycle theory test, practical test<\/td>\n Sixteen (16)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n AM<\/td>\n Light quadricycles (weighing under 350 kg, top speed 45 km\/h)<\/td>\n CBT, motorcycle theory test, practical test<\/td>\n Sixteen (16)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Q<\/td>\n Same as AM (plus 2 or 3-wheeled mopeds with a top speed of 25 km\/h)<\/td>\n Same as those granted with AM<\/td>\n Sixteen (16)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n A1<\/td>\n Light motorcycle up to 11 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.1 kW per kg) and 125 cc<\/td>\n CBT, motorcycle theory test, practical test<\/td>\n Seventeen (17)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n A1<\/td>\n Motor tricycles with a power output of not more than 15 kW<\/td>\n CBT, motorcycle theory test, practical test<\/td>\n Seventeen (17)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n A2<\/td>\n Standard motorcycle up to 35 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW per kg), bike must not be derived from vehicle more than twice its power<\/td>\n Direct access route (theory and practical). Progressive access route (2 years experience on A1 motorbike and a further practical test)<\/td>\n Nineteen (19)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n A<\/td>\n Unrestricted motorcycles in size\/power, with or without a sidecar, and motor tricycles with power output over 15 kW<\/td>\n Direct access route (CBT theory and practical if you are at least 24). Progressive access route (held an A2 licence for a minimum of 2 years – practical test (21 or over))<\/td>\n 24 (direct) or 21 (progressive access)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nSafety Equipment when Riding Motorbikes<\/h2>\n