Riding a motorcycle, moped or motor tricycle

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1. Overview

There are different rules if you held a motorcycle or moped licence before 19 January 2013.

To ride on public roads you first need to get a provisional licence and then complete compulsory basic training (CBT) to get a certificate.

You must pass both parts of your practical test within 2 years of taking the theory test. If you do not, you’ll have to start the process again.

Motorcycles

There are different categories of motorbike - you’ll need to get the right entitlement on your licence and be old enough to do so.

Mopeds

The way moped entitlements are shown on your licence have changed, but you still need to be at least 16 to ride one.

The rules are different if you already have a car driving licence.

Motor tricycles

Provisional category B car licences and provisional category A licences now only cover you to ride motor tricycles if you have a physical disability. Driving tests for 3-wheeled vehicles are only available for physically disabled drivers.

If you’re not physically disabled and want to ride a motor tricycle you’ll now need to get the right provisional entitlement and pass CBT.

You can drive a motor tricycle of any power rating if both of the following are true:

• you’re over 21
• you have a full car driving licence

You’ll need a full category A1 motorbike licence to ride motor tricycles up to power output 15 Kilowatts (kW), and a full category A motorbike licence to ride trikes with a power output more than 15 kW.

Once you’ve done your CBT you have 2 years to pass your theory and motorcycle tests or you’ll have to do CBT again.

If you have a full EU driving licence

Before you can take a CBT course you must either:

• exchange your licence for a Great Britain (GB) licence
• register your licence with DVLA

If you register your EU driving licence, you’ll have to exchange it for a GB licence after you’ve passed your theory and practical test.

Learning to ride

You need to have the right provisional driving licence when you’re learning to ride.

If you’re using your own vehicle you’ll need to make sure it:

• has a valid V5C registration certificate (log book)
• is taxed
• has an MOT (if needed)

You’ll also need adequate motor insurance.

Official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) guides

You can buy the official DVSA guide to learning to ride and the DVSA guide to riding - the essential skills.

Taking the full motorcycle tests

All riders have to pass the theory test before taking the motorcycle practical test.

Enhanced rider scheme

Once you’ve passed your motorcycle test you can take the enhanced rider scheme. It checks your riding skills and provides training to help you improve. You can get discounts on motorbike insurance if you successfully complete the scheme.

More information

Read DVLA’s routes to your motorcycle licence flowchart for step-by-step instructions on how to get a moped or motorbike licence.

2. Licences issued before 19 January 2013

If you held a motorcycle or moped licence before 19 January 2013 then you’ll keep your existing entitlements and can still ride the same kind of bikes as you did before.

However, if you get a new licence your entitlements may be shown differently.

You’ll have to follow the new rules if you want to get higher entitlements - eg ride a larger motorbike.

Mopeds

Changes to moped categories

If you’re already licensed to ride a moped your driving licence will show as category P.

The new rules will not affect you, but any new licences issued to you will show categories AM and Q, as well as category P. This means you will also be allowed to ride 2 or 3-wheeled mopeds with a top speed of 50 km/h.

Car driving test passed before 1 February 2001

You do not need to take compulsory basic training (CBT) to ride a moped if you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001. You’ll still need to complete CBT to ride a motorbike, however.

Car driving test passed on or after 1 February 2001

You need to take CBT to ride a moped if you passed your car driving test on or after 1 February 2001.

However, you will not need to take further theory and practical tests or take CBT again.

Motorcycles

If you’re already licensed to ride a motorcycle, your licence should show category A. This will be the same if you renew or replace your licence after 19 January 2013.

Motor tricycles

If you hold category B1 entitlement (trikes and quads), when you renew or replace your licence after 19 January 2013 it will show categories B1 and A. The A entitlement will be limited to tricycles and you will not be able to ride motorbikes you were not previously allowed to.

Provisional licences now only cover you to ride motor tricycles if you have a physical disability. Driving tests for 3-wheeled vehicles are only available for physically disabled drivers.

Non-disabled drivers who want to ride motor tricycles need to pass CBT and the theory and practical tests on a 2-wheeled motorbike.

3. Bike categories, ages and licence requirements

	Licence category	Requirements for licence	Minimum age
Mopeds with speed range of 25 km/h to 45 km/h	AM	Compulsory basic training (CBT), theory test, practical test on all powered 2-wheeled moped	16
Small 3-wheelers (up to 50 cc and below 4 kW)	AM	CBT, theory test, practical test	16
Light quadricycles (weighing under 350 kg, top speed 45 km/h)	AM	CBT, theory test, practical test	16
Same as AM plus 2 or 3-wheeled mopeds with top speed of 25 km/h	Q	Granted with AM	16
Light motorcycle up to 11 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.1 kW per kg) and 125 cc	A1	CBT, theory test, practical test	17
Motor tricycles with a power output not more than 15 kW	A1	CBT, theory test, practical test	17
Standard motorcycle up to 35 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW per kg), bike must not be derived from vehicle more than twice its power	A2	Direct access route - theory and practical Progressive access route - 2 years experience on A1 motorbike and a further practical test	19
Unrestricted motorcycles in size/power, with or without a sidecar, and motor tricycles with power output over 15 kW	A	Direct access route - CBT, theory and practical (you must be at least 24) Progressive access route - held an A2 licence for a minimum of 2 years - practical test (21 or over)	24 (direct) or 21 (progressive access)

You do not need to take the theory or motorcycle tests to apply for a provisional licence.

Read about the rules for the motorcycle theory test and practical riding test.

4. Safety equipment

Helmet

You must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets sold in the UK must comply with at least 1 of these:

• British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI (British Standards Institution) Kitemark
• UNECE Regulation 22.05
• any standard accepted by a member of the European Economic Area which offers a level of safety and protection equivalent to BS 6658:1985 and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark

You must wear glasses or contact lenses when you ride if you need them to read a number plate at the prescribed distance.

Visors and goggles

Your visors or goggles must comply with either:

• a British Standard and displays a BSI Kitemark
• a European standard which offers a level of safety and protection at least equivalent to the British Standard and carries a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark (ECE 22-05)