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Motorcycle Licence Guide If you're confused about all the rules and regulations relating to riding your motorbike on the road this guide should help, although it's worth checking your own position with your chosen training centre.
Before you think about training make sure you have a valid licence. With a full car licence you can learn on bikes up to 125cc. Otherwise you will need to apply to DVLA for provisional motorcycle entitlement to be added. A provisional bike licence is valid until 70 years of age (if supported by a Compulsary Basic Training Certificate). Also make sure that your licence has your current address on it. Compulsory Basic Training is the first step everyone has to take. They will check your documents and eyesight. You can use your own bike or borrow a training school bike. It will involve a mixture of theory, basic motorbike control, practice riding on an off road car park area; it's an ongoing assessment that isn't conducted on a pass or fail basis. It is usually done in one day, but can take longer, when you pass you will be given a DL196 pass form, which is valid for 2 years. You now need to take a multiple choice test of about 35 questions lasting about 30-40 minutes, complete with a series of video clips where a candidate must pick out developing hazards. There are plenty of books, DVD's, and online tests available to guide you, so do your homework ! Since 1 February 2001, anyone wishing to take a motorcycle test must pass the theory test before they can book the practical test. There is no exemption for Car Licence holders. The Theory pass certificate is valid for 2 years. If you are16 then this will be your first step. A moped has an engine up to 50cc with a maximum speed 30mph. Anyone who passed their car test after 1st February 2001 must now complete a CBT before they can ride a moped. Aimed at commuters who would be happy restricted to a 125cc bike, who don't require to ride a large motorcycle, it's worth going straight for the restricted licence as it won't cost much more and gives you the choice to go for a larger bike in the future. If you pass this test you will be able to ride bikes up to 25KW/33bhp (which covers most cruiser/commuter 250cc bikes.) for 2 years after which you will be able to ride any bike. You will be able to carry a passenger and lose the L-plates. The test is taken on a 125cc bike and this time you will be followed by a Driving Standards Authority examiner with a one way radio. This test is exactly the same as the full bike license, and it's probably worth doing the full license test if you qualify for it. They watch for safe, confident riding skills including emergency stop, hill starts, u-turns and the route will include most traffic hazards ie traffic lights, roundabouts and right turns. If you are over 21 and would prefer to learn on a larger bike and not have the 33bhp restriction then this is the route to take. You will have similar training to that of the restricted licence starting out on a 125cc but will then progress onto a larger (minimum 46.6bhp) bike. Most training schools prefer a GS500E or similar. You cannot train independently as the rules say you must always be accompanied on the road by an instructor in radio contact. Pass this test and you can ride any motorcycle you like. If you have taken a restricted licence test and decide you don't want to wait the 2 years to step up to a larger bike and you are over 21 you can take this test.
Due to the changes in legislation which introduced the restricted licence some manufacturers have produced models specifically to comply with the 33bhp limit or already have lower power models available. However some riders prefer to buy a more powerful bike they want now and fit a restrictor kit and then remove it when the 2 year limit is up. Some insurers are reluctant to get involved however with such bikes. This is because:
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Motorcycle Licence Guide If you're confused about all the rules and regulations relating to riding your motorbike on the road this guide should help, although it's worth checking your own position with your chosen training centre.
Before you think about training make sure you have a valid licence. With a full car licence you can learn on bikes up to 125cc. Otherwise you will need to apply to DVLA for provisional motorcycle entitlement to be added. A provisional bike licence is valid until 70 years of age (if supported by a Compulsary Basic Training Certificate). Also make sure that your licence has your current address on it. Compulsory Basic Training is the first step everyone has to take. They will check your documents and eyesight. You can use your own bike or borrow a training school bike. It will involve a mixture of theory, basic motorbike control, practice riding on an off road car park area; it's an ongoing assessment that isn't conducted on a pass or fail basis. It is usually done in one day, but can take longer, when you pass you will be given a DL196 pass form, which is valid for 2 years. You now need to take a multiple choice test of about 35 questions lasting about 30-40 minutes, complete with a series of video clips where a candidate must pick out developing hazards. There are plenty of books, DVD's, and online tests available to guide you, so do your homework ! Since 1 February 2001, anyone wishing to take a motorcycle test must pass the theory test before they can book the practical test. There is no exemption for Car Licence holders. The Theory pass certificate is valid for 2 years. If you are16 then this will be your first step. A moped has an engine up to 50cc with a maximum speed 30mph. Anyone who passed their car test after 1st February 2001 must now complete a CBT before they can ride a moped. Aimed at commuters who would be happy restricted to a 125cc bike, who don't require to ride a large motorcycle, it's worth going straight for the restricted licence as it won't cost much more and gives you the choice to go for a larger bike in the future. If you pass this test you will be able to ride bikes up to 25KW/33bhp (which covers most cruiser/commuter 250cc bikes.) for 2 years after which you will be able to ride any bike. You will be able to carry a passenger and lose the L-plates. The test is taken on a 125cc bike and this time you will be followed by a Driving Standards Authority examiner with a one way radio. This test is exactly the same as the full bike license, and it's probably worth doing the full license test if you qualify for it. They watch for safe, confident riding skills including emergency stop, hill starts, u-turns and the route will include most traffic hazards ie traffic lights, roundabouts and right turns. If you are over 21 and would prefer to learn on a larger bike and not have the 33bhp restriction then this is the route to take. You will have similar training to that of the restricted licence starting out on a 125cc but will then progress onto a larger (minimum 46.6bhp) bike. Most training schools prefer a GS500E or similar. You cannot train independently as the rules say you must always be accompanied on the road by an instructor in radio contact. Pass this test and you can ride any motorcycle you like. If you have taken a restricted licence test and decide you don't want to wait the 2 years to step up to a larger bike and you are over 21 you can take this test.
Due to the changes in legislation which introduced the restricted licence some manufacturers have produced models specifically to comply with the 33bhp limit or already have lower power models available. However some riders prefer to buy a more powerful bike they want now and fit a restrictor kit and then remove it when the 2 year limit is up. Some insurers are reluctant to get involved however with such bikes. This is because:
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