Motorcycle Licence Types Explained

Motorcycle licences are a bit more complicated than holding full or provisional driving licences. Unlike regular car licences, they have restrictions on what type of motorcycle you can ride and the age at which you can ride a specific type.

Whether you’re a young rider eager to get on a motorbike for the first time or an experienced rider looking to get back on the road, you must make sure you have the right motorcycle licence and size of bike for your age.

Not having the right motorbike licence type could result in a range of penalties including a hefty fine, points on your existing licence and possibly even a potential ban. This post will help clear up any confusion you have about motorcycle licence categories.

What are the different types of motorbike licence?

You’ll have to pass your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) first. This will ensure you have a basic knowledge and understanding of road safety before you start riding. After completing your CBT, you’ll be able to look at the various types of motorcycle licence:

• AM – Mopeds with speed range of 25 km/h to 45 km/h, Small 3-wheelers (up to 50 cc and below 4 kW), Light quadricycles (weighing under 350 kg, top speed 45 km/h)
• A1 – Light motorcycle up to 11 kW and 125 cc and motor tricycles with a power output not more than 15 kW
• A2 – Standard motorcycle up to 35 kW
• A – Unrestricted motorcycles in size/power and motor tricycles with power output over 15 kW

Provisional motorcycle licence & Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

How much is a motorbike licence?

Before doing anything else, you must apply for your provisional driving licence. It costs £34 to apply for it, and you must:

• Be at least 15 years and 9 months old
• Be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
• Have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days

Although you can apply earlier, the provisional licence will only be valid once you turn 16. You can also take your first steps towards riding a motorbike at this age by signing up for your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).

If you want to do anything more than just wash a motorbike or moped, you must complete your CBT.

What is CBT motorcycle training?

The CBT isn’t a pass/fail test like a conventional practical driving test examination. As the name suggests, it’s an opportunity to undertake some basic training to ensure you’re able to ride safely on the road.

You’ll receive an introduction to motorcycle CBT and then have a quick eyesight test before taking on the following four elements:

• On-site training – You’ll learn how the motorcycle or motorbike works, get familiar with the controls, understand the basic maintenance checks you’ll need to carry out and get a feel for the weight and balance of the vehicle.
• On-site riding – Practical training that helps you carry out manoeuvres, get to grips with gears and brakes and carry out observations.
• On-road training – An understanding of the rules of the road, with a key focus on the legal requirements and responsibilities that keep everyone safe.
• On-road riding – This element helps riders gain the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to ride safely and independently while preparing for their practical riding test.

Once you’ve completed these elements and your instructor has assessed you’re safe to ride on the road, you’ll be given a DL196 certificate. This confirms you’ve completed your CBT and are able to ride a moped or a motorbike up to 125cc on the road with L plates (or D in Wales) without supervision.

You can find out more about the Compulsory Basic Training Syllabus on the UK government’s website.

What type of bike can you ride with a CBT?

This will depend on your age. If you complete your CBT when you are 16, you’ll only be allowed to ride a moped of up to 50cc and you must ride with L plates on. If you’re 17 or over, you can ride a 125cc motorcycle, but also with L plates.

There is only one situation where you don’t need a CBT to ride a moped. If you passed your full driving test before 1 February 2001, you can ride a moped of up to 50cc without L plates or having completed your CBT.

What happens after I pass my CBT?

Your CBT will expire after two years. If you don’t progress and get a full licence within that time, you’ll have to retake it before you can set foot on a moped again.

How does the motorcycle theory test work?

The motorbike theory test is essentially the same as the car theory test, with the following two sections:

• Multiple choice – This section consists of 50 questions, which you must answer in 57 minutes. You’ll need to answer 43 out of the 50 questions correctly to pass
• Hazard perception – Spot the various hazards that a driver or rider will experience during a short video. There are 75 points available in this section and you must achieve at least 44 to pass

The AM motorcycle licence

The AM code on your driving licence allows you to drive 2- or 3-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km.h (28mph). This means you can drive mopeds rather than motorcycles.

If you’re aged 16 or over, the AM licence is the next step on the progressive route through the licence types. It’s very similar to your basic CBT in that you’ll be able to ride but won’t need your L plates. You’ll also be able to carry a pillion passenger.

In order to get your AM licence, you’ll need to be at least 16 years old and have a valid CBT (DL196) certificate. You’ll also have to pass your theory test and the two-part practical. Think of this stage as the equivalent of learning to drive. Your CBT is like early driving practice (albeit a legal requirement) and your AM licence is like getting your driving licence.

How do I get an A1 motorcycle licence?

The A1 motorbike licence is essentially the same as the AM licence, but for riders aged 17 and over who have more powerful bikes. With an A1 licence, you’ll be able to ride a bike up to 125cc (top speed of around 60mph), ride without L plates, ride on motorways and carry a passenger.

To get your A1 licence, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old
• Have passed your CBT and theory tests
• Have passed both parts of your practical motorcycle tests

How do I get an A2 motorcycle licence?

The A2 motorbike licence is the first motorcycle licence type that can be accessed in two different ways. The direct access route and the progressive route.

Direct access route

If you are aged 19 or over, you can get your A2 licence in the same way as younger riders get their AM and A1 licences. All you need to do is complete your CBT and pass your theory and practical tests.

Progressive route

If you have held an A1 licence for 2 years, regardless of your age you can get an A2 licence by taking another practical test on a larger (395cc minimum) motorcycle.

You won’t have to resit your theory test and if you pass, you’ll be able to ride any A2 category bike (395cc minimum with 20 to 35Kw engine power) without L plates on a motorway and with a pillion passenger.

How do I get an A motorcycle licence?

Passing your full motorcycle test will not only allow you to ride faster and more powerful bikes but also reduce the cost of your motorcycle insurance.

There are two ways you can get your A licence. You can get direct access if you are 24 years old or over, have an in-date CBT or have passed your theory and practical motorcycle tests.

You won’t necessarily need any previous riding experience, although it is strongly recommended that you do. If you want to practice for your A licence test, you must be supervised by a qualified DSA-approved instructor due to the size of your bike.

You can also progress from your A2 licence if you’ve held it for at least two years and take another practical test, this time on a more powerful 595cc minimum boke. Doing it this way means you can get your A licence at 21 rather than waiting until you’re 24 years old.

When you have a full motorbike A licence, you can ride any size bike without L plates and carry passengers.

How to pass your practical motorcycle test

To pass your motorbike test and get your full motorcycle licence, you’ll need to complete the various motorbike test stages.

On your practical test, you’ll be using the bike size that you’ll be riding when you pass. If you’re trying to get your AM licence, you’ll be taking your test on a 50cc moped or motorcycle with a top speed of around 30mph.

The A1, A2 and A tests will be carried out on larger bikes with higher top speeds.

The practical motorcycle test is slightly different from the practical driving test as it’s split into two parts – module 1 and module 2. Here are some motorcycle test tips on what to expect in Module 1.

Module 1 is a 20-minute off-road section that requires you to show you can*:

• Wheel the moped or motorbike and use the stand
• Do a slalom and figure of eight
• Do a slow ride
• U-turn
• Handle cornering and a controlled stop
• Handle cornering and the emergency stop
• Handle cornering and hazard avoidance

Module 2 takes place on the road and takes around 50 minutes. You must have passed the first module before you take Module 2:

• Do an eyesight test
• Answer safety questions
• General road riding including stopping, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle and a hill start
• 10 minutes of independent riding. The instructor will ask you to follow a specific route via a radio and examine the way you ride

Is it worth getting learner motorbike insurance?

When you start learning to ride a motorbike, you’ll be excited to get on the road. Insuring a bike before passing your test is the best way of getting the practice needed before getting your licence.

If you’re using your own bike or borrowing one from a friend or family member, you’ll need learner motorbike insurance. You’ll be able to put a more permanent arrangement in place once you pass your practical test.

How to get learner motorcycle insurance:

• Enter a few details about yourself and the bike you want to ride
• Confirm you’re happy with the price and details of your policy
• Pay for your policy and get your documents emailed instantly

We’ve now covered the different motorcycle licence types and how you can get them. Whatever stage you’re at and however long you’ve been riding, it’s important that you’re riding a bike that you feel comfortable with and can handle.

Temporary motorbike insurance

Once you have passed your test, you can get temporary motorbike insurance from Tempcover. Perfect for when you need to borrow a bike or take one out for a test ride (or if you’re an occasional rider), this comprehensive short-term insurance can cover you from 1 day up to 7 days.