Motorcycling abroad

bainbridge · 25 Nov 2025 at 06:50

Hi all

This is a bit of a niche question, but I'm looking at hiring a small 150cc bike in eastern Africa on holiday and I currently just have a full UK car licence. My bike CBT expired decades ago.

The African bike hire site says that I need to have a full driving licence, and from what I gather that is all that they need.

From a uk insurance perspective, logic says that the insurers would expect me to have the uk equivalent license of whatever I'm driving abroad. This would mean I'd have to do a full bike licence for a small bike, A2 i think, because a CBT is only up to 125cc.

Or I could just do the CBT again and rent a 100cc over there which is basically a moped rather than a geared bike.

I like the little 150cc Indian built Boxers they have over in Africa.

Any thoughts on if I'd be ok on one with just a car license?

Scuzi · 25 Nov 2025 at 07:06

I can’t answer the “can I?” question but you should also ask yourself “should I?”

Eastern Africa is a bit generic. What country will you be in?

You should check your travel insurance covers motorcycling and any resultant medical expenses, medical repatriation, and of course repatriation of your remains in the event of the worst.

Uther · 25 Nov 2025 at 09:58

That sounds...dangerous...

iamgigglz · 25 Nov 2025 at 10:07

I'm curious about the insurance thing - it shouldn't be much of your concern at all.
I'm not sure where you're going, but in South Africa and neighbouring countries hired bikes are usually insured by the company you're hiring from and it's included in the price. You just need to be a legal rider.

Scuzi said:
You should check your travel insurance covers motorcycling and any resultant medical expenses, medical repatriation, and of course repatriation of your remains in the event of the worst.

Also this. Motorcycling is sometimes viewed as "a dangerous recreational activity" rather than "a means of getting from A to B" so all sorts of weird clauses and exclusions can come into effect.

bainbridge · 25 Nov 2025 at 12:00

Thanks for the responses and apologies, I should have made my question clearer, and admittedly I think I've answered my own question.

I think I'll do my cbt again, then motorcycle theory and then go for the A2 licence.

McGray · 25 Nov 2025 at 12:14

bainbridge said:
Thanks for the responses and apologies, I should have made my question clearer, and admittedly I think I've answered my own question.

I think I'll do my cbt again, then motorcycle theory and then go for the A2 licence.

How old are you? Assuming you're over 23, just go full licence as it's the same test.

bainbridge · 25 Nov 2025 at 19:30

McGray said:
How old are you? Assuming you're over 23, just go full licence as it's the same test.

I'm 49 and thought one of the tests was for smaller machines. Thanks for the heads up, I will look into it.

CBT booked up, it's £190. I paid £90 in 1994 so not bad

tom_e · 26 Nov 2025 at 06:49

bainbridge said:
I'm 49 and thought one of the tests was for smaller machines. Thanks for the heads up, I will look into it.

CBT booked up, it's £190. I paid £90 in 1994 so not bad

All of the tests are exactly the same, the only difference is the engine size of the bike you take the test on. So yeah go for your full A if you're doing the tests anyway.

aaronyuri · 26 Nov 2025 at 07:07

Each country has different licence requirements for riding different bikes. It's pretty standardised across the UK and Europe but changes once you go further afield. However, the CBT won't be recognised outside of the UK to my knowledge.

I would get some time back in the saddle before renting something abroad, even if you don't specifically need a full bike license to do so.

PieEater · 1 Dec 2025 at 18:41

bainbridge said:
The African bike hire site says that I need to have a full driving licence, and from what I gather that is all that they need

bainbridge said:
Any thoughts on if I'd be ok on one with just a car license?

You don't have a full driving licence for the vehicle type you would be renting so I really don't think that they would let you rent a bike. Getting your full bike licence beforehand is definitely the way to go, wishing you all the best for the test and what sounds like a fantastic holiday.

Colonel_Klinck · 2 Dec 2025 at 17:43

Sounds like some parts of Africa still have the same attitude that parts of Europe did 30 years ago. You could hire a 125 moped in Greece and a few other countries by just showing your passport, didn't even ask to see a car licence.