Safe Speed Forums

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone could advise me what the procedure is to obtain a UK motorbike license.

I've had a full car license for last 7 years and am 24 years old.

Any advice appreciated, what i've found so far seems greatly complicated and contradictory.

Thanks

I suggest that you check out the following

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm

for the official DVLA rules.

You can check in the back of the motor-cycle press (MCN, Bike and Ride) for adverts on training.

Do not forget to budget for helmet and protective cloathing as well as the training costs.

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tanj There Ain't No Justice

Do CBT - approx £100.

Sit theory and hazard perception tests - £??

Either sit test on bike with engine size between 75 and 125cc and get an A1- light motorcycle licence which will permanently restrict you to wee bikes (up to 14.6 bhp) or go for the full category A.

To get the category A licence either

pass test on bike of 121 to 125cc, capable of at least 100kph, and be restricted to 33bhp for 2 years OR do direct access where you train and test on a bike with at least 46.6 bhp, giving you access to all bikes as soon as you pass the test.

IMO, direct access is the way to go. Budget £400 to £500 to do direct access, including the CBT on day 1, and another £300, at least, for gear. Hein Gericke are good for kitting you out if you don't have any m/cycle stuff at all, although biking friends might be a boon for a loan of old jackets etc. DO NOT BORROW A HELMET, get your own, before CBT if possible.

HTH

In summary...

If you have a full UK drivers license

1) you can ride a scooter or moped up to 50cc without L plates and carry passengers if the bike is designed to.

2) To ride a bike up to 125cc you need to pass a CBT (one day course) but you cannot carry passengers, need L plates and cannot go on the motorway. You can pass your test on a 50cc scooter but still be eligable to ride a 125 geared bike. You need to pass your test within 2 years or take your CBT again.

3) Then it get complicated depending if you want to pass a test on a 125 or a 500. If you pass on a 125 you are restricted to 33hp for 2 years. If you pass on a 500 you can ride anything (if you can get insurance). Ether way you can ride on the motorway. If you pass your test on a twist-and-go you cannot ride a geared bike without taking another test.

In any case you will need to pass a theory and hazard awareness test.

I think that is is in a nutshell.

Best to check with a local bike training centre. You can also rent bikes from them.

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Speed camera policy Kills

I believe you need a CBT for a moped now, and you continue to ride under L Plates, which also means you cannot carry passengers.



I believe it is on BHP, cc has nothing to do with it anymore.

You will also need to check your license as DVLA started sending them without provisional M/cycle entitlement.

As already stated direct access is the best method, as you will have no restrictions.

Prob'ly best to allow for £1,000 to £1,200 for Direct Access course & to get yourself kitted out with Boots, clothing, helmet & gloves etch.

Do yourself a favour and start on a smaller bike, to you get experiance, after you pass that is.
SV650 or bandit, both stunning bikes, which are very forgiving and plenty of performance until you are ready to move up.

Watch for the latest regulation, as i hear it is all going to change soon (do not know how soon), so you really could not pick a better time.

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Steve

Unfortunately it now looks at bhp and engine cc. My earlier post is a direct lift from the DSA Official Publication "Motorcycle Riding the essential skills" and should tell Ben all he needs to know as far as gaining the full bike licence is concerned.

I didn't bother with the requirements for moped riding because

a) from the original post Ben wants to ride a proper bike
b) it's far too complicated anyway

However, since mopeds/scooters have been mentioned I'll first say that a moped is 50cc or less, cannot do more than 31mph and doesn't weigh more than 250kg. You need a category P on your licence to ride one of these.

If you passed your car test before 1st Feb 2001 you already have unconditional full moped entitlement so L plates are not required and a pillion passenger is legal, if not exactly practical. If you passed your car test after 1st Feb 2001 you need to do CBT which then validates your moped entitlement until your licence expires, i.e. the CBT does not expire after 2 years as it would if you were using it to ride something bigger.

So for a full car licence holder

Moped - Car licence gives full entitlement, subject to the possible requirement to do CBT once which depends on the date of the car test pass

Scooter and motorcycle depend on size/bhp of bike you want to ride. See my post above to differentiate between A1 and A licences.

Don't forget that if you pass the practical test on an Automatic or semi-automatic your licence will be restriced to Autos as well.

Phew!

PS Ben, if you are serious about becoming a biker then you should get a copy of the book I'm referring to, it's very useful! Also, please ensure you have brushed up on your highway code before the CBT!

Thought that was only if it can be moved by pedals, without a CBT.

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Steve

The pedals thing is only if the moped was first registered before 1st Aug 1977. Since there probably aren't that many mopeds that age still in use I didn't feel it was relevant but you are right, it still *could* apply.

It's no wonder people get confused. I remember the good old days when getting a bike licence was simple.

You can ride a 50cc bike speed limited to 35mph (supposed to be 30 but the all do about 35) on a full drivers license without L plates.

It can be a twist-n-go (scooter) or a geared bike (Aprillia RS50)

The wife was riding one for the past 4 years. Took her CBT last year. Now rides a 125.

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Speed camera policy Kills

I beg to differ. The speed limit is 50kph (31mph).

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm

I know, in the grand scheme of things, who would actually check that closely anyway?

I have ridden restricted bikes Always got 35 out of them....don't care what the theory is..thats a fact
My wife has a restricted Honda SFX50 from new. My daughter uses it now

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Speed camera policy Kills

I'm not arguing that the bikes are capable of that, I'm just saying that they don't fit the official definition of a moped if they do more than 50kph.

Since the thread is about the legal shennanigans required to get a bike licence I posted the DSA/DVLA specification.

MrsMiggins

PS I know a guy who was done for speeding on a Honda Melody - 37 in a 30. He weighed about 6 stone sopping wet and was going down a very steep hill at the time

That was not always a benifit, especially the riding around the block waiting for the examiner to step out in front to do the emergency stop.

Imagine the liability claims nowadays

I brought my daughter a brand new 50 cc geared aprillia last year, the dealer was more than happy to take the washer out of the exhaust to de-restrict it, it was capable of 55mph.

I was happy, as i feel that a vehicle restricted to 30 mph, is more a danger on our roads.

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Steve

I agree with you on the whole 'riding standards' issue bmwk12.

I started teaching CBT in my spare time a few years back and it's terrifying to think that any of the students who come along used to just be able to buy a 250cc bike and set off with no training whatsoever At least with CBT they get to make their early mistakes in a safe environment where the only thing dented is their pride (usually).

From my experience the CBT is a very valuable piece of training particularly because it prioritises safe behaviours, from choosing the right clothing to choosing the right road position or speed. Since the aim at the end of the day is to produce a safe rider a lot of the pressure is taken from the situation, allowing the newbies to concentrate on things that are really important. IMO, a properly taught CBT can instill good driving practices that last long after the thrill of passing the test is gone.

And it's fun to teach, too, because you get to do this

I am not involved in any of the M/cycle training, so am not sure exactly how they regulate the CBT, i Understand the test, as i took my Daughter to hers.

Still even in this day & age, there was no form of dress code

Their was my daughter armoured up to her eyeballs, and 3 other young lads in T shirts, Track suit bottoms & trainers (at least there was no shorts in sight). They really do not stand much of a chance, gravel rash even at 30 mph, can really do some damage.

I really would like to see a clothing safety standard brought in.

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Steve

BMWK12's right, my brother has an SV650S and it's bloody rockin'! Not sure what an R1 must be like if that little bike is that good??

CBT is pretty straightforward, but pretty intense too. It's split into 5 parts which I will try to explain briefly in case Ben is still watching

Initial chat about appropriate safety gear, explaining different helmet types, how to choose the right stuff etc Eyesight test

Getting to know the bike. Where the controls are, what they do etc Basic maintenence checks - Brakes, oil, suspension, electrics, steering.

Basic riding skills. Start with moving off and stopping, progressing through slow control, gears, u-turns, e-stops, junctions.

Back to the classroom for a chat about the realities of riding on the road. Highway code, weather, visibility, positioning, 2 second rule etc

2 hour road ride to put it all into practice.

As far as compulsory safety equipment is concerned I'm against making it compulsory, if only because the nanny state is already well out of control in this country. I almost always wear the full armoured gear when I go out, but it is my choice and if I want to risk road rash then, at the end of the day, it's my skin.

Damn impossible to keep within the speed limits, and not suitable for a novice. It is forgiving, as it is so nimble, but really needs to be inexperianced hands

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Steve

I agree with the nanny state bit, it is getting out of control, but safety clothing is common sense.



How many times have you suffered from road rash

I have really always seen that name as loose term, it is nothing like a rash, more like having your skin removed by a cheese grater.

I never ride without my armour, mind you i never always thought like that, it took a few doses of road rash to convince me.

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Steve

I almost never ride without my armour, but I reserve the right to go out in jeans if I feel like it, and I don't need nanny telling me that it's dangerous, I have my mum for that!

Oh, and I have never had road rash! I tell my CBT students that they are crazy if they ride around without good protective gear, but it's not always financially possible, especially when you are starting out. That's why part of the CBT gives the students alternatives if they can't afford to go to the local shop and buy everything they need from the off.