How To Get Your Motorbike Licence
After pretty much the coldest April and wettest May we can confidently predict that June is going to be the best month on record to get your bike licence.
However, navigating the motorcycle licence maze can be quite difficult. We’ve tried to make it simple and included relevant links below to steer you in the right direction (no pun intended).
Before you start: get a provisional licence
It’s £34, you need to be at least 15 years and 9 months old and you can get your provisional licence online here.
Got one? Good, let the learning begin...
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
CBT is intended to give you enough confidence on two wheels to practice for your test, you don’t pass or fail your CBT. Also, if you ride a moped or bike without a valid CBT you can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points, so do your CBT.
Anyone with a provisional two-wheeled licence of any kind needs to take a CBT course to validate their motorcycle or moped licence.
You should also have a read of the DVLA Learning To Ride book before you go.
How much does CBT cost?
Expect about £110 - £140
How long does CBT take?
You'll need to allow a day for your CBT.
What does CBT involve?
CBT involves on-site training, on-bike training in a safe environment, on-road training, on-road riding.
After you’ve completed CBT you are a learner and proudly displaying your L plates, you can ride :
- a moped if you’re 16 or over
- a motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW if you’re 17 or over
You must pass your full moped or motorcycle test within two years, or you have to either take another CBT test or stop riding.
A quick detour to look at types of licence
Depending on your age you might only be eligible for certain licences that restrict you to certain sizes of bike. Your age and the size of bike you take your test on will determine which licence you get.
What type of licence do I need?
There’s some detail to it but broadly it is:
- AM licence: 50cc scooters from age 16
- A1 licence: 125cc motorbikes from age 17
- A2 licence: 500cc motorbikes from age 19
- A licence (or Direct Access): 650+cc from age 24 (or from age 21 if you’ve had your A2 for two years)
So can you get a motorcycle licence at 16?
Yes, you can ride a 50cc scooter with a top speed of 30mph... once you have a CBT certificate, have passed the theory test and passed the two-module practical test on a 50cc (i.e. when you have an AM licence).
Whichever passport to freedom you are eligible for, there are three tests that you need to pass.
The motorcycle theory test
If you have a car licence, you still need to pass the motorcycle theory test. If you passed your driving test a long time ago, this may come as a surprise.
The motorcycle theory test comes in two sections:
Firstly, 50 multiple-choice questions about The Highway Code, traffic signs and essential riding skills.
Secondly, there is the hazard perception test, where you identify potential hazards on a video being shown on-screen.
There are DVLA books and tests to help you prepare, get these from your local library or favourite bookshop.
How much does the theory test cost?
£23 - book it here and do remember to take your licence.
If you only remember one thing, take your licence. You will see someone on the day who hasn’t remembered theirs and it’s not a good look, you will not be able to sit the test.
Passed your theory test? Congratulations! Let’s get riding. There are two separate tests that you need to pass, first up is:
Practical Test Module One (“Mod 1” or “M1”)
This lasts about 20 minutes, costs £15.50 and takes place “off-road” i.e. in a safe training area not “muddy trails” off road.
It tests your basic riding and handling skills, including:
- Wheeling your bike and using the stand
- Riding a slalom and figure of 8
- A slow ride
- A U-turn
- Cornering and a controlled stop
- Cornering and an emergency stop (minimum speed of 19mph for mopeds and 31mph for motorcycles)
- Cornering and hazard avoidance (minimum speed of 19mph for mopeds and 31mph for motorcycles)
You can watch a video of it here...
At the end of the test you will be given feedback and told if you have passed.
Once you pass Mod 1 you are eligible to take the...
Practical Test Module Two (“Mod 2” or M2)
This test lasts about 40 minutes and costs £75 or £88.50 depending on which day you choose.
It starts with an eyesight check and basic maintenance questions.
Then you will go out on the road with an examiner who will ask you to safely carry out manoeuvres including stopping, pulling out and starting on a hill.
The final part of the test is a ten minute observed ride where you are given directions and you have to safely follow them.
You can watch a video explanation here...
Again, at the end of the test you will be given feedback and told if you have passed, if you have you will be given your certificate.
Congratulations, it’s quite an achievement and now you can take the L plates off and the real learning begins.
What motorcycle can I ride?
With an A1 licence you could get the seriously impressive all-new CB125 RA, the awesome CB1000R’s youngest sibling. The Neo Sports Cafe 125 has state-of-the-art LCD dash, full LED lighting, extra power from the new 125cc DOHC engine and Showa SFF-BP upside down forks.
With your A2 licence you could think about a BMW G310. In both R (Roadster) and GS guises, BMW have engineered the classy G310 to be easy to ride with e-throttle grip (Ride by Wire), automatic idling and a self-reinforcing slipper clutch to make starting off easy.
Or for something completely different you could look at the laid-back Honda CMX500 Rebel. A chopped ’bobber’ styled motorcycle that combines good looks with modern technology. With a proven parallel twin-cylinder engine, it really is a friendly and smooth easy rider. Ideal if you're stepping up from a smaller bike.
If sports bikes are your dream then you can’t do better than the A2-friendly Honda CBR500R. Blessed with Fireblade DNA, it has aggressive looks and strong low-end power from the six speed gearbox with assist/slipper clutch. It looks and sounds every inch the CBR but on an A2 licence.
On an A licence, well, the sky’s the limit, take your pick at vertumotorcycles.com.
And one last thought, you need a good instructor to help you get through the bike licensing maze, all our Vertu dealerships can help you, either through the Honda School of Motorcycling or BMW Rider Training.