Licence Options

THE PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCE
To ride a motorcycle on the road you must

* Be at least 17 years old (16 for a moped)
* Have a driving licence which allows you to ride motorcycles (category A)

That licence can be any of the following

* A provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement
* Full car licence. This automatically provides provisional motorcycle entitlement
* Full motorcycle licence
* Full moped licence. This provides automatic provisional motorcycle entitlement if you're aged 17 years or over

Provisional motorcycle entitlement

This entitles learners to ride a motorcycle

* Up to 125cc
* With a maximum power output of 11kW (14.6bhp)

Learners who wish to ride a side-car outfit can do so with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg.

If you're not sure about any of this then you can get further advice from your motorcycle trainer.

With provisional motorcycle entitlement you must not

* Ride on motorways
* Carry a pillion passenger
* Ride without L-plates (or D-plates in Wales)

Two year limit
Provisional motorcycle licences used to have a life of 2 years. But as from 1st February 2001, motorcycle licensing rules were changed. All new provisional licences showing motorcycle entitlement issued from that date are valid until the holder's 70th birthday.

Holders of the old licences can apply to have the licence replaced with one that will include provisional motorcycle entitlement valid to age 70. Replacement licences should be applied for from DVLA using the normal application forms (available from Post Offices).

Existing motorcycle provisional licence holders who do not pass a motorcycle test before their provisional licence expires are NOT now subject to the 12 month wait before they can get new entitlement.

How to get a licence

If you don't already have a licence with provisional motorcycle entitlement then collect a D1 form (driving licence application) and a D750 form (photocard application) from a Post Office or from DVLA (0870 240 0009). Complete the forms and send them to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLC) at Swansea.

All provisional licences now automatically include motorcycle entitlement but many post offices are still issuing the old application forms on which you had to tick the 'with motorcycles' box to get learner motorcycle entitlement included.

If you want to ride a motorcycle you can ignore this section of the application form or you can tick the 'with motorcycles' box just to make sure.

COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING (CBT)
All learner motorcyclists and moped riders must complete CBT before riding on the road unless they

* Passed a full moped test after 1 December 1990
* Live and ride on specified offshore islands
* Already hold a Certificate of Completion (DL196) obtained during a previous motorcycle entitlement or when riding a moped
* Intend to ride a moped and passed the car tests before 1st Feb 2001

When you've completed CBT you'll be given a DL196. You must produce this before you can take the practical motorcycle test.

A DL196 has a 2 year life. If you don't pass both your theory and practical tests in that time then you'll have to take the CBT course again.

A DL196 obtained on a moped is valid for a motorcycle when the rider reaches the age of 17.

TYPES OF FULL LICENCE
There are three types of full motorcycle licences to aim for.

1. Category P - moped.

2. Category A1 - light motorcycle licence - to receive this you must take and pass your test on a motorcycle with

* an engine size over 75cc but not more than 125cc
* a power output of not more than 11kW (14.6 bph)
* a maximum speed of not more than 100 kph (62.5 mph)

You will now have full licence entitlement on any motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp). This licence is intended for riders of C90s and similar who don't intend to ride anything bigger. It will not become an unrestricted category A licence after two years. If you take a test on a C90 or similar then you will have to take another test to ride anything bigger than a 125cc, 11kW bike with a maximum speed of over 100kph (62.5mph).

3. Category A - standard motorcycle licence - (aka A2) - this is what you'll obtain if you pass your test on a motorcycle over 120cc but not over 125cc and is capable of more than 100 kph (62.5mph). With this licence you are entitled to ride a motorcycle up to 25kW (33 bhp) and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kw/kg.

There is no restriction on engine size (cc) so you can now ride a bike bigger than a 125cc. There are plenty of bikes around in the 125cc to 400cc range that produce no more than 25kW (33bhp) - ask your local dealer. You can ride a bike with a power output over 25kW but you'll need a restrictor kit on it to restrict the power output to 25kW. Any good motorcycle mechanic will fit a restrictor for you and give you the necessary documentation. Your insurance will cost more though because insurance companies tend to disregard restrictors.

So does this mean that you're going to have to buy a 14.6bhp, 125cc bike to learn and practice and take your test on then sell it and buy a 33bhp, bigger than 125cc bike after passing the test to take full advantage of what you're allowed to ride? Well, some do and some don't. What most people do (the under 21 year olds usually) is one of the following two options

1. Do the CBT, buy a 14.6, 125cc bike and get some practice on the roads with L plates, then go back to the training centre to do some pre-test training which is not compulsory but definitely advisable. Then they take and pass (hopefully) the tests and sell or trade in their 125, 14.6 bike and get a 400cc (or any size they want), 33bhp bike or over 33bhp and have a restrictor kit put on it for about £150. After 2 years they can ride a bike over 33bhp.

2. Do CBT, pre-test training and test within a couple of weeks all on the training centre's bike. Then, if they pass the test first time, they buy a 400cc (or any size) bike up to 33bhp or over 33bhp and have a restrictor kit put on it. Most under 21s choose a 400cc rather than a 600cc or more as the insurance is much lower.

After two years you may ride any size and power of motorcycle without taking another test.

If you're 21 or over, or if you reach 21 within the 2 year period, there are quicker ways of obtaining entitlement to ride a more powerful bike. They are called the Direct Access Scheme (DAS) and the Accelerated Access Scheme (AAS).

If your practical test is passed on an automatic motorcycle the full licence gained will be restricted to automatic bikes only.