How old are you?
Select from the four boxes below and we’ll show you everything you need to do to get on two wheels.
Main licence areas
Common Questions Answered
Licence-based Starting Points
If you don’t fit one of the options above, you’ll fit one of the scenarios below
I've got no car licence, no bike licence
- Apply for a provisional motorcycle licence
- Take your Compulsory Basic Training, you can then ride up to 125cc motorcycle or scooter on L-plates for 2 years
- If you want a full licence, you can then take your motorcycle theory test
- Then pass your motorcycle test (AM, A1, A2 or A, depending on your age)
- You’re then free to ride without L-plates
I've got a provisional motorcycle licence
- Take your Compulsory Basic Training, you can then ride up to 125cc (50cc if you’re under 17) motorcycle or scooter on L-plates for 2 years
- If you want a full licence, you can then take your motorcycle theory test
- Then pass your motorcycle test (AM, A1, A2 or A, depending on your age)
- You’re then free to ride without L-plates
I've got an CBT certificate and it's in date
- You can ride up to a 125cc motorcycle or scooter on L-plates for 2 years
- If you want a full licence, you can then take your motorcycle theory test
- Then pass your motorcycle test (AM, A1, A2 or A, depending on your age)
- You’re then free to ride without L-plates
I've done a CBT but it's now expired
- Your CBT (DL196) certificate only lasts 2 years from the date it is issued
- Once your CBT expires, you have to take it again if you haven’t passed your motorcycle test
- Take your Compulsory Basic Training, you can then ride up to 125cc motorcycle or scooter on L-plates for 2 years
- If you want a full licence, you can then take your motorcycle theory test
- Then pass your motorcycle test (AM, A1, A2 or A, depending on your age)
- You’re then free to ride without L-plates
I've got a full moped (AM) licence
- You can ride up to a 50cc motorcycle or scooter without L-plates and carry a pillion
- If you want to ride anything bigger, you’ll need to apply take a higher motorcycle test (A1, A2 or A, depending on your age)
- You’re then free to ride a bike with a capacity over 50cc
I've got an A1 motorcycle licence
- You can ride up to a 125cc motorcycle or scooter without L-plates and carry a pillion
- Once you’re over 19 years old, you can apply for an A2 motorcycle licence
- You’ll need to apply take the A2 motorcycle test (A2 or A, depending on your age)
- You’re then free to ride a bike with a capacity over 125cc
I've got an A2 motorcycle licence
- You can ride a motorcycle that is restricted to 47bhp and weighs a minimum of 175kg and you can ride without L-plates and carry a pillion
- If you’re under 24 but you’ve held your A2 licence for 2 years, you can apply for your A motorcycle licence
- The earliest you can do your DAS (A licence) is 21, which assumes you have held your A2 since you were 19.
- If you’re over 24 you can apply directly to do your A motorcycle licence (sometimes known as Direct Access)
- You’ll need to apply take the A motorcycle test (sometimes known as DAS)
- If you turn 24 within 2 years of passing your A2, you don’t automatically have an A licence; you’d need to sit your A motorcycle test or wait until you’ve held your A2 licence for 2 years.
- You’re then free to ride a motorcycle with no restriction
I've got a Category A motorcycle licence
- You can ride an unrestricted motorcycle or scooter of any engine size
- You can now look into further training to improve your skills
- Check out these motorcycle training books to enhance your riding skills
