*** How to obtain a bike license ***

Fireskull

Fireskull

Fireskull

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**Some of the below is probably out of date now, as it was originally written in 2011, but this thread is still full of useful information about how to go about getting your bike license.**

This is an Image posted by @IC3

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Someone had to do it eventually :D Can this be our first sticky!? We have had so many threads recently asking the same thing so its about time we did!

Going to update this as we go along, if anyone feels anything else needs adding let me know :)

I will need help with info about Mod 1 & 2 as I did the older test.

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So you want to ride a motorbike? This thread should contain all the information you need!

First off:
Licenses
If you dont have any licenses at all then you are going to need to apply for your Provisional License, This can be done following the link below or by picking up a D1 Application form at your local post office.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_10012514

If you already have a full car license then check the paper part of your license it should state you have 'provisional A' on there, if so move on to the CBT section, if not give the DVLA a ring and inquire about getting 'provisional A' put on there.


CBT
CBT stands for 'Compulsory Basic Training', and as the name suggests you have to complete it before doing anything else.

The course is usually over a day or two and they will teach you the basics of how to ride a motorcycle/scooter and then put that into practice on the road.
They will teach you basics like pushing your bike, getting on and off safely, the controls on the handlebars, clutch/accelerator control and finding the biting point, stopping safely, maneuvering and much more, this will all most likely take place in a dedicated training center area or like I did it, in an unused car park on a Sunday.
Once your instructor is happy with your competence on your motorbike/scooter they will take you out to see how you fair on the open roads, They wont get you to do anything challenging just make you put into practice what you have learnt.

The CBT is not a test but in the very rare occasion you are either a danger on the road or not competent enough on the bike they wont issue the CBT pass certificate


The NEW Licenses / Tests
Basically a copy and paste from here ( http://www.geton.co.uk/content/getting-started-motorcycle#T1gYp5RrJ0BQpWUh.99 ) but it all looks accurate and understandable.

Aged 16 or over: Moped licence
You may ride a moped with L plates after completing CBT, or you could opt for the new AM licence by taking your theory test and then a practical test. This allows you to ride a moped up to 50cc with a top speed of 45 km/h (around 28mph) without L plates, and to carry a passenger.

Even if you decide not to get your full moped licence, we recommend that you do further training after CBT to improve your riding skills and your road sense.

Aged 17 or over: A1 Motorcycle Licence
You can take a 2-stage practical test, after passing your CBT and theory tests, to get an A1 licence. This allows you to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc (with maximum power of 11 KW) without L plates, and to carry a passenger. Passing a full motorcycle test can also reduce your insurance costs.

After two years of holding an A1 motorcycle licence, you can take another practical test and get an A2 Motorcycle Licence (see below).

Again, even if you opt to ride on L plates after completing CBT instead of gaining your A1 Licence, we strongly advise you to get additional training for your own safety and confidence.

Aged 19 or over: A2 Motorcycle Licence
You can get an A2 Motorcycle Licence, allowing you to ride a motorcycle or scooter with power up to 35KW (46.6 bhp) which will typically mean up to 500cc engine size, or a restricted version of a more powerful model.

There are two ways to qualify for an A2 licence:

If you have held an A1 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test.

You can take the Direct Access route by completing CBT, Theory tests and a practical test.

You are then allowed to ride any A2 category motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger.

After holding an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test and get an unrestricted A Motorcycle licence (see below).

Aged 21 or over: unrestricted A Motorcycle Licence
You can get an A Motorcycle Licence, allowing you to ride any motorcycle or scooter of any size or power. There are two ways to qualify for an A Motorcycle Licence:

If you have held an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test.

If you are aged 24 or over, you can take the Direct Access route by completing CBT, Theory tests and a practical test.

You are then allowed to ride any motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger.


TO BE CONTINUED.......
 
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Can someone help me with this point please.
For direct access can you use your own 500cc bike? and if so will they insure you on a 500cc bike with only a provisional license, just making sure as I have never heard of someone doing DA on their own bike.
Most likely pointless I would imagine considering you could only use it with an instructor anyway...
 
No, you have to do CBT either way, but CBT only allows you to ride a 125 on L plates, regardless of age, then because you are 21 you can do the DAS test, which means you take the test on a larger bike usually 500cc, once passed you can ride any bike unrestricted.
You don't have to do the DAS of course, but being over 21 I'm not sure why anyone would want to be restricted :p
 
d_brennen said:
Cool, thanks. It all seems a bit convoluted - what next? I don't intend to ride anything bigger than a 125
Click to expand...

Sorry nobody replied!!

yes if you license says you have bike provisional then yes go ahead an book a CBT, once passed you can ride a 125cc on L plates for 2 years, at which point you will need to do your CBT again to continue riding, this is if you don't want to go the test route that is.

From the GetOn site:

"If you have not gained a full motorcycle or moped licence two years after completing CBT, your DL196 is no longer valid and you must repeat CBT.

If you have a full car licence issued before 1st February 2001 you may ride a restricted 50cc moped on the road without L plates (and carry a passenger), but you still need to successfully complete your CBT to ride any motorcycle over 50cc. However, if you have not ridden a motorcycle or scooter before, it is a good idea to complete CBT as a minimum."
 
You sure can, but you need to do the bigger bike test, but once you do that sure you can ride anything you like, not sure its bonkers though, you could pass your car test and get a ferrari if you can afford it and the insurance, but the outcome will be the same as a new biker on a 1000cc superbike if you dont respect the power :p
Insurance is usually the big thing that turns a lot of new riders away from 'big' bikes, unless you dont mind paying £2k insurance.

Aged 21 or over: unrestricted A Motorcycle Licence
You can get an A Motorcycle Licence, allowing you to ride any motorcycle or scooter of any size or power. There are two ways to qualify for an A Motorcycle Licence:

If you have held an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test.

If you are aged 24 or over, you can take the Direct Access route by completing CBT, Theory tests and a practical test.

You are then allowed to ride any motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger.
Click to expand...
 
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