Safe Speed Forums

A friend of mine has been riding a moped as a learner since the age of 16. He has recently turned 17. He doesn't currently plan to take up full-size motorcycle riding.

Can he now take a driving test on his moped and have it derestricted?

If so, is there any benefit, apart from derestriction, in taking such a test?

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

The only tests that I'm aware of are for:

A1. which gives entitlement to ride up to 125cc / 14.6hp - This test must be done on a machine between 75cc and 125cc

A2. which gives entitlement to ride any capacity (subject to 2 year 33hp rule) which must be done on a machine between 120cc and 125cc.

A. Same as A2 but with minimum 47hp test machine.

Lord knows why anyone would do an A1 test.

So, no he can't do either test on his moped - Mopeds don't qualify as a suitable vehicle for the test even if derestricted. However, he could do either test and ride his derestricted moped.

As for benefits - I would say that anyone who even thinks they might want to ride a motorcycle at some point in the future should do the test now before the Eurocrats get their way. The 3rd European Driving Licence Directive proposes allowing access ages as high as 26 for motorcycles. Multiple tests based on capacity are likely in the future too, if only because they can get more money that way. All part of the program to remove a dangerous anti-social minority from Europe's roads.

There is some kind of moped test - you can book it online like all the other tests. I believe then you get full category p entitlement.

If he took a CBT when he was 16 he automatically has the entitlement to ride up to a 125 or a de-restricted 50cc without taking a further test when he has turned 17

The original CBT lasts for 2 years then you have to take it again.

_________________
Speed camera policy Kills

The minute you derestrict it, it becomes a motorcycle.
Needless to say, DVLA have to be notified of the change of class as well as any prospective insurance company being informed of the changes as well.

As has been said above, he can do a CBT and this will let him ride any 2 wheeled machine up to 125cc in size and which develops no more than 14.6BHP (once he turns 17).

The CBT is a one day course and will cost between £75 - £105 depending on whether you use your own vehicle or not. Unless he is a complete idiot that should have been removed from the gene pool at birth, then he WILL pass the test.

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

That's not exactly true. The CBT is intended to give the student the skills required to ride, unsupervised, on the road. I will not sign a CBT certificate if the student does not display the level of competence required. If that means that they have to repeat part or all of the course again and again until they reach the standard then that's what they have to do.

There may be unscrupulous schools who do not teach and assess to the required standard, but that doesn't make the CBT a formality by any means.

_________________
Less Kodak, more Kojak.
In times of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

Having seen exactly how the kids ride their mopeds on the roads in real life (pizza bikes being the most noteable), I think that says it all with regards to how effective the CBT really is.

The CBT (like any test) means nothing if you have a client who can perform the way you want them to for the test duration.

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

I know several people who failed the CBT. Mostly because they could not get used to the controls and so were unsafe to go out on the road.

I think the point of the original post was whether you needed to take it again to ride an un-restricted bike at 17....which if you passed it once at 16 you do not.

_________________
Speed camera policy Kills

In that one respect, the CBT is worthwhile in that it proves the rider has basic control of the machine. But if someone cannot get to grips with basic control & balance, then one would assume that common sense would tell them to not even thinking about going out in public.

Both of my kids (7 & 9) could pass the CBT with their eyes shut (and probably teach the examiner a trick or two about control in the process), but there is no way you would ever let them loose on a public road.
To that end, the CBT becomes worthless because the newly qualified (and invariably very young) rider is going to do whatever he/she wants to anyway once they aren't under scrutiny.

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

There used to be a differentiation between those that have passed a car test and those who have not, Car drivers got 3 years on a CBT.

Now they have taken that away it means that you have to take a FULL CBT every 2 years regardless.

I realy don't see why a car driver has to re-take a CBT at all. After all what else are you going to learn? You don't need to take your driving test every 2 years!

This whole thing has got daft especialy since even a car driver has to do the theory test and hazard awareness as well.

It looks to me like they are making it more and more difficult to take up motorcycling for no reason. As it was said earlier there are a lot of folk (especialy car drivers) out there that don't want the trouble and expence of taking a full test but still want to ride.

You can still ride a moped on a car license without L plates and carry a passenger. The only thing is you are restricted to 30mph... Its daft

_________________
Speed camera policy Kills

Totally agree. Does that mean that the CBT is pointless? I don't think so.

For every nut delivering pizzas there are loads of other motorcyclists who do use the skills they learned on CBT to be safe and considerate on the road.

The way I look at it, if I teach them how they should ride and why it's important to ride safely and they show me that they can do that then I've done what I can. If they then choose to disregard that advice that's their decision.

It's more than daft Gizmo.
Personally speaking, I wouldn't even consider riding something that develops less horsepower than what the starter motor on my Z does.


I never said the CBT was pointless, I actually said that anyone short of an imbecile could pass one. However perhaps I should have said that anybody who possesses basic spacial awareness skills & a reasonable degree of hand/eye co-ordination skills would be capable of making the grade.

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

Does he have to do another CBT to do this even though he did one a year ago when he started moped riding?

I have to say the whole situation sounds like a minefield of complexity, and indeed seems to positively encourage learners who just want a small, cheap bike for basic local transport not to bother taking a test.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

His current CBT will be valid for 2 years from the date of issue, so there is no need for him to sit another CBT at this point in time.

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

I know what you mean but I am a bit less fussy. I have got a 1200cc bike, My 16 year olds got a 50cc scooter. The wife has got a 125 Marauda. Parking in the city is free to motorcycles so I sometimes pinch the scooter for taking a run into town.

The scooter is easier to dodge through traffic than my brute...

_________________
Speed camera policy Kills

The end result was that he got his moped derestricted (which apparently increases the effective power as well).

Advice from mum on his first trip out: "Don't get caught speeding!" which is a sad sign of the times.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Please tell him to notify DVLA of the de-restriction, as the moped is now classed as a motorcycle and the vehicle will now need to be re-classified.

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

Good point, I will check this oen out. I will get our scooter de-restricted in January when my daughter is 17.

The fuel consumption for the scoot is worse than our 125. I am sure it is because of the restrictor. I am expecting much better economy after I get it modified.

_________________
Speed camera policy Kills

if you passed your car test before Feb-2001 you will have full moped entitlement without any need for training. Although you may have lost it by mistake if you moved address.

You will also have provisional motorcycle entitlement which when validated by a CBT certificate allows you to ride a motorcycle up to 125 with L plates, no passengers or motorways. For two years. After than you need to take CBT again of pass your full test.

If you choose to take your test you have 2 options. After passing a theory test.

Under 21s test on a 125 and ride any bike with less than 33bhp (see kerb weight limit too) for 2 years. Then ride any bike.

Over 21s can either opt for the 125 or test on a 47bhp bike (typically a 500cc) and ride any bike they like.

So in short - if you want to ride small bikes, just do CBT every 2 years.

I absolutely do not recommend people ride mopeds - they are extremely dangerous due to their speed restriction (i.e. max 30mph) given that the safe speed for many urban roads is faster than 30mph it would be nice if you could at least keep up with traffic say 45mph top speed. For this you need a 80cc + bike.

It's worth noting that 50-125cc bike are significantly over represented in casualty statistics when compared with bikes of 500cc + even allowing for registered vehicle numbers and typical mileages. More power clearly does not mean more danger

I think this is a "hidden" issue in the law. My 16 year old will start to use her scooter for work next week, it will cut about 2 hours from her daily journey time against using the bus.

Most of the 13 miles will be in 30 zones but about 5 miles is in 40-50 mph areas. There are cycle lanes that make the roads even more narrow but she cannot use them on a scooter. This is the most dangerous section of road because she cannot keep up with the traffic and cars cannot overtake easily because of the cycle lane.

_________________
Speed camera policy Kills