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Licences Explained
Which licences are you eligible for?
Find all the information you need to know about motorcycle licences on this page.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to take your test, you'll see what your options are and how to achieve them.
Contact us if you would like to discuss your options further.
Use the age range buttons below to find out more.
AM CATEGORY
(MOPED)
A moped is described as a vehicle that has:
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an engine size less than 50cc;
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a maximum power of 4kW;
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a maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h
PATHWAY 1
Take a CBT course.
This is a day of training that once completed and passed, entitles you to ride a moped with L Plates for two years.
However there are conditions to a CBT such as:
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L Plates must be clearly visible on both the front and back of your moped;
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No pillion passengers;
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No motorway riding.
Click below to find out more about what the CBT entails.
PATHWAY 2
If you want to ride without L Plates, here are the steps you will need to complete:
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A CBT
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A motorcycle theory test
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A module 1 test
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A module 2 test
On completion, this would allow you to carry pillion passengers and be able to ride without L Plates. However, no motorway riding allowed on a moped.
Click below to find out more about the practical tests.
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NOTE
This category also includes light quadricycles with:
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unladen mass of not more than 350kg (not including batteries if it’s an electric vehicle).
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maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph).
New 16 year old drivers or older persons wishing to drive such vehicles will need to complete Pathway 2 that is laid out above.
On passing the above test sequence, an AM licence is awarded and drivers may immediately drive a microcar and take a passenger.
A1 CATEGORY
An A1 category motorcycle is described as having:
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An engine size of up to 125cc;
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A power output of up to 11kW;
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A power to weight ratio of no more than 0.1kW/kg
PATHWAY 1
Take a CBT course.
This is a day of training that once completed and passed, entitles you to ride up to an A1 motorcycle with L Plates for two years.
However there are conditions to a CBT such as:
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L Plates must be clearly visible on both the front and back of your motorcycle;
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No pillion passengers;
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No motorway riding.
Click below to find out more about what the CBT entails.
PATHWAY 2
L Plates cramping your style?
Or want to take advantage of the benefits of passing your test gives you?
Here are the steps you will need to take to gain your A1 licence:
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A CBT
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A motorcycle theory test
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A module 1 test
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A module 2 test
All practical parts will be completed on a 125cc motorcycle. Click below to find out more about the practical tests.
A2 CATEGORY
An A2 category motorcycle is described as having:
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A power output of up to 35kW;
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A power to weight ratio of no more than 0.2kW/kg.
This will also let you ride motorcycles in the A1 category once passed.
PATHWAY 1
If you want to ride a motorcycle restricted to 35kW, here are the steps you will need to complete:
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A CBT
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A motorcycle theory test
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A module 1 test
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A module 2 test
All practical tests will be completed on an A2 category motorcycle.
After two years of holding this licence, you will be eligible to retake the practical tests for your unrestricted licence if you wish. This is what's known as accelerated access.
PATHWAY 2
Don't fancy taking two sets of test to gain your full licence?
The alternative is to wait until you are 24 years old to complete the tests on a 650cc, which would give you the full category A licence. This pathway is commonly known as direct access or DAS.
However, why not gain experience in the mean time by completing a CBT on a manual 125cc.
Click below to find more information on the CBT course and also the practical tests.
A CATEGORY
An A category motorcycle is described as:
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A motorcycle with a power output more than 35kW or a power to weight ratio of more than 0.2kW/kg;
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Or a motor tricycle with a power output more than 15kW. Note
You can also ride motorcycles in categories A1 and A2 once passed.
PATHWAY 1
If you want to ride an unrestricted motorcycle, here are the steps you will need to complete:
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A CBT
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A motorcycle theory test
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A module 1 test
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A module 2 test
Practical tests will be completed on an A category motorcycle.
We offer a conversion lesson to transfer on to the bigger bike. This will give you the required skills to tame the extra weight and power compared to the 125cc motorcycles.
Click below for more of an insight into the theory test.
PATHWAY 2
Have you held an A2 licence for the last two years?
You will be able to upgrade to a full licence by completing both module 1 & module 2 tests.
Alternatively, if you have held an A2 licence for less than two years but have since turned 24, you will need to have a valid theory test certificate before taking the practical tests.
On completion of both tests on a 650cc motorcycle, you will have a full unrestricted licence.
Click below for more of an insight into the module 1 & 2 tests.
NOTE
You can drive a tricycle if both of the following are true:
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You are over 21;
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You hold a full car driving licence.
If this is the case, it may seem to show that you have already got your full category A licence. However, there will be the code 79(3) in column 12 on the back of your licence.
This will restrict you to only being able to ride tricycles and the tests on 2- wheels will still need to be done to remove the restriction.