Legal motorcycling reqiurements UK?

Question

Due to the ever increasing fuel prices I am contemplating a motorcycle. Does anyone know if I will have to take a test or is there a cc limit that makes me exempt? And if I am exempt will I have to continually show my 'L' plates? I have had a full driving licence for nearly 30 years.

Answer 1

You can do it !

Answer 2

Do it soon, the test is changing (actually it is not that bad a change, but there is going to be a rush and it is generally better to learn to ride in the summer so you are better prepared to go through the winter). There is a time limit on the CBT (holding L plates).

http://www.takeyourtestnow.com/

http://www.takeyourtestnow.com/licence/

http://www.takeyourtestnow.com/a/pdf/lic...

Answer 3

As you have a full car license you can ride a 50cc moped without L plates. Buy the bike, get some insurance and away you go.

If you want to ride anything over 50cc but up to 125cc then you will need to take the CBT (Compulsory Basic Training). The CBT is a one day training course that will give you the basics of riding and handling a motorbike.

You can then legally ride anything up to and including a 125cc motorbike. You will still have to show L plates though. The CBT certificate lasts for 2 years and then you will have to take it again unless you take your full motorbike test in the meantime.

The full test comes in two flavours.

1.. If you take & pass the full test on a 125cc bike, you receive your A2 (standard) license (and can ditch those L plates) which limits the bikes you can ride to 33bhp for two years (approx 400cc). After two years the limit is lifted and you can ride anything you want.

2.. If you are over 21 you can take what's called the Direct Access test. This test is done on a bike that is over 46bhp such as a 500cc bike. You then receive a category A (full unrestricted) license. This has no restrictions and you can ride anything you want straight away without having to wait for the two year limit to pass.