HOW TO GET A FULL MOTORCYCLE LICENCE

COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING IS THE FIRST STEP
No matter which type of licence you are aiming for you must complete a CBT course first!

COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING IS THE FIRST STEP

No matter which type of licence you are aiming for you must complete a CBT course first!

SIXTEEN YEARS-OLD
THEORY TEST: All riders who intend to sit the Practical Motorcycle Test will have to sit the Motorcycle Theory test At 16 to ride a moped on the road a provisional licence holder must complete CBT. The DL196 Certificate issued on successful completion will then validate your licence to ride on the public highway. Pass practical test to obtain full moped licence (Cat P)

SIXTEEN YEARS-OLD

THEORY TEST: All riders who intend to sit the Practical Motorcycle Test will have to sit the Motorcycle Theory test

At 16 to ride a moped on the road a provisional licence holder must complete CBT. The DL196 Certificate issued on successful completion will then validate your licence to ride on the public highway. Pass practical test to obtain full moped licence (Cat P)

SEVENTEEN YEARS-OLD
At age 17 or over, you will have two types of full motorcycle licence to aim for - the A1 light motorcycle licence or the standard category A motorcycle licence. To gain a full A1 light motorcycle licence you must successfully complete CBT and pass a theory test followed by a practical test on a vehicle between 75cc and 125cc. A full A1 licence permits you to ride any motorcycle up to 125cc and a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp) without `L' plates, carry pillion passengers and use motorways. To gain a full standard category A licence you must successfully complete CBT and pass a theory test followed by a practical test on a motorcycle of over 120cc but not larger than 125cc and capable of at least 100kph. In practice the normal test vehicle will be a 125cc machine. A full standard category A licence permits you ride any motorcycle with a power output of up to 25kW (33bhp) and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg without `L' plates, carry pillion passengers and use motorways. You are restricted to a motorcycle up to 25kW for two years (not counting any periods of disqualification). After two years you may ride any size motorcycle.

SEVENTEEN YEARS-OLD

At age 17 or over, you will have two types of full motorcycle licence to aim for - the A1 light motorcycle licence or the standard category A motorcycle licence.

To gain a full A1 light motorcycle licence you must successfully complete CBT and pass a theory test followed by a practical test on a vehicle between 75cc and 125cc. A full A1 licence permits you to ride any motorcycle up to 125cc and a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp) without `L' plates, carry pillion passengers and use motorways.

To gain a full standard category A licence you must successfully complete CBT and pass a theory test followed by a practical test on a motorcycle of over 120cc but not larger than 125cc and capable of at least 100kph. In practice the normal test vehicle will be a 125cc machine. A full standard category A licence permits you ride any motorcycle with a power output of up to 25kW (33bhp) and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg without `L' plates, carry pillion passengers and use motorways. You are restricted to a motorcycle up to 25kW for two years (not counting any periods of disqualification). After two years you may ride any size motorcycle.

NINETEEN YEARS-OLD
If you have already obtained a full standard category A licence and you reach the age of 21 before the two-year qualifying period is complete a third option is available. You may opt to take a further test on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kW (46.6bhp) to gain immediate access to all motorcycles. This is called Accelerated Access. You can practice for this test on motorcycles above 25kW only if you are accompanied by a certified motorcycle instructor on another motorcycle and you are displaying `L' plates (see Training for Direct Access below). You do not need to complete CBT again, or pass another theory test.

NINETEEN YEARS-OLD

If you have already obtained a full standard category A licence and you reach the age of 21 before the two-year qualifying period is complete a third option is available. You may opt to take a further test on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kW (46.6bhp) to gain immediate access to all motorcycles. This is called Accelerated Access. You can practice for this test on motorcycles above 25kW only if you are accompanied by a certified motorcycle instructor on another motorcycle and you are displaying `L' plates (see Training for Direct Access below). You do not need to complete CBT again, or pass another theory test.

TWENTY-ONE YEARS-OLD
Riders aged 21 or over may opt to take a test on a large motorcycle. On passing the test they are immediately qualified to ride any motorcycle without restrictions. This option is called Direct Access. You must complete CBT, and if necessary, a motorcycle theory test and a practical test on a motorcycle of at least 35kW (46.6bhp).

TWENTY-ONE YEARS-OLD

Riders aged 21 or over may opt to take a test on a large motorcycle. On passing the test they are immediately qualified to ride any motorcycle without restrictions. This option is called Direct Access. You must complete CBT, and if necessary, a motorcycle theory test and a practical test on a motorcycle of at least 35kW (46.6bhp).