Which license?

Many aspiring motorcycle riders believe that buying a motorcycle in order to ride from A to B after passing the CBT is the way it goes, however, this is not the case. If you would like to learn to ride either a motorcycle or scooter and you’re 17 or over, you actually have three possible routes to take.

If you’re starting from the very beginning or the learning to ride process then you must achieve your provisional license. This can be obtained if you’re aged 17 or over and wish to ride a motorcycle, although people aged 16+ can ride mopeds. You’ll need to complete the Compulsory Basic Training course (CBT) and once this is passed, you can progress to the practical test.

So, which license is for you?

A1 Motorcycle License

If you only wish to ride a 125cc motorcycle then you can train and take the test on a machine of 75cc – 125cc in order to obtain a Category A1 motorcycle license. The license allows you to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc and 14.6bhp (11kw). With the A1 Motorcycle License, you are allowed to carry a passenger and use motorways but if you wish to ride a bigger motorbike then consider a different license.

A2 Motorcycle License

If you’d like to be able to have the same benefits as the A1 license but ride a bigger motorbike then consider the A2 Motorcycle License. Training and testing are on a motorcycle of 120c – 125cc that is capable of reaching 100kph (62mph) but no more than 14.6 (11kw).

For the first two years and passing the practical test, you are restricted to a power output of 25 kW and a power/weight ratio of 0.16 kW/kg. After the first two years you may ride any size of bike, even if you are under the age of 21.

This license also allows you to carry a passenger and use motorways although you won’t need L-plates.

Direct and Accelerated Access

If you are aged 21 or over or if you reach 21 before your two year restriction ends, you have the following options:

Once you’ve completed your CBT and theory test, the practical test may be taken on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kW. As long as you pass this test, you’ll be able to ride any size of bike, which means you may practice for the practical test on bikes larger than learner bike specification as long as you:

-       are always accompanied by an approved instructor on another bike. They should also be in radio contact.

-       Wear reflective clothing and follow all other provisional license restrictions

If you pass, you’ll immediately have a full Category A motorcycle license and be able to ride a machine of any size, carry a passenger and use motorways.

Tags: 125cc motorcycle test, advanced motorcycle training, cbt london, CBT training, Direct Access, motorcycle training, practical motorcycle test

This entry was posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 8:00 am and is filed under Articles, Training Guides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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