The Law

Before Riding on the Road

The Learner must:

Mopeds

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a valid provisional moped licence
• Have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) Course and gained a DL 196 Certificate
• Be insured to ride the moped
• Meet the legal minimum eyesight standards
• Only ride when displaying L Plates (or D Plates in Wales)
• Not carry a pillion passenger or ride on a motorway.

To gain a full moped licence, the learner must pass both the theory test for motorcyclists and the moped practical test.

The rules are different for moped riders who already have a car driving licence.

Riders who have a full car driving licence and a compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate and who passed their driving test before 1 February 2001, can ride a moped without L plates and without taking the full motorcycle test.

Riders who passed the car driving test on or after 1 February 2001, must complete a CBT course to confirm their full moped licence. The CBT certificate for riding mopeds is then valid for as long as the car driving licence.

Motorcycles

• Be at least 17 years old
• Have a valid provisional motorcycle licence
• Have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) Course and gained a DL 196 Certificate
• Be insured to ride the motorcycle
• Meet the legal minimum eyesight standards
• Only ride when displaying L Plates (or D Plates in Wales)
• Not carry a pillion passenger or ride on a motorway.

To gain a full motorcycle licence, the learner must pass the theory test for motorcyclists and the two-part practical motorcycle test.

Insurance

The learner driver must be insured to ride their moped or motorcycle. Make sure the insurers know the learner's age, the type of moped or motorcycle and that they are a learner rider.

Eyesight

All riders must meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving.

In good daylight, riders must be able to read a vehicle numberplate, made after 1 September 2001, from 20 metres. If the learner needs glasses or contact lenses to read the numberplate, they must wear them whenever they ride.

Riders must also have an adequate field of vision and a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary), using both eyes together or, one eye only if the driver only has sight in one eye.

The best way to ensure that you meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving is to have an eyesight test at an opticians before starting to learn to drive (and then every two years, or more often if the optician advises).

Further details about the eyesight rules for driving are available at Eyesight.

Provisional Licence

The learner can apply for a provisional licence online at www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence or by completing the D1 form (DL1 form in Northern Ireland) which is available in your local post office. To ride a moped, they can apply up to three months before they turn 16 years old and up to 3 months before turning 17 for a motorcycle licence

Do not use an unofficial website to apply for your licence, as you may pay more than necessary, and your application might not even be submitted.

They must have physically received the provisional licence itself before they ride on the road.

Full details of motorcycle licence rules are available at:

• www.gov.uk/newlicencerules
• www.gov.uk/changes-to-the-driving-licence-and-categories
• www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-categories-ages-and-licence-requirements
• www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped
• http://assets.dft.gov.uk/dsa/dsa-routes-to-your-motorcycle-licence.pdf (PDF)

 

Licence Rules from 19 January 2013

The driving licence rules, motorcycle categories and age limits for riding a motorcycle or moped changed on 19 January 2013.

Motorcycle categories, minimum ages and licence requirements from 19 January 2013

Direct Access Scheme (DAS)

The Direct Access Scheme allows riders aged 19 years to take a test to obtain a full A2 licence without having held an A1 licence for two years. Similarly riders aged 24 years or older can take a test to obtain a full (category A) motorcycle licence without previously holding a licence for a smaller motorcycle for two years. They have to pass the two-part motorcycle practical test on a machine of at least 40 kW (53.6 bhp) and if they pass they can ride any size of motorcycle.

While practising for direct access, they can use any size of motorcycle bigger than a learner motorbike but must

• Be accompanied by a qualified approved trainer riding another motorbike and in radio contact with them
• Wear fluorescent or reflective safety clothing while being supervised
• Have L plates (D plates in Wales) fitted on their motorcycle

All other provisional licence restrictions apply.

Staged Access

If a rider passes their motorcycle test (A1) at 17 years old they are restricted to a 125cc motorcycle producing no more than 11kW (14.8bhp) for two years.

At 19 years of age a rider who has been riding on a full A1 licence for two years can take a further practical test on a motorcycle of at least 395cc producing between 25kW (33.5bhp) and 35kW (46.9bhp). On passing this test, the rider can ride a motorcycle in category A2.

Two years after passing the A2 test a rider (21 years and over) can take a further test on a motorcycle of at least 495cc and producing at least 40kW (53.6bhp). Following successful completion of this test the rider can ride a motorcycle of any capacity.

They may practise on bikes over 25 kW (33 bhp) under the same conditions as Direct Access, but revert to learner status while doing so. Failing a test does not affect their existing licence.

Licences Before 19 January 2013

Riders who gained a motorcycle or moped licence before 19 January 2013 keep their existing entitlements, but if they want to obtain a new category, to ride a larger motorcycle, for example, they will have to follow the new rules.

If they need to renew or replace their licence, because they have changed address, for example, their entitlements may be shown differently, for example:

• A licence that included category P for moped, may show P and the new entitlements for mopeds - AM and Q.
• A licence that included category A for motorcycle will still show category A.
• A licence that included category B1 for motor tricycle will still show category B1 and A, but the A entitlement will be limited to tricycles and will not include motorcycles.

Provisional licences for motor tricycles are only valid for someone with a physical disability.

Able-bodied persons who want to ride a motor tricycle must pass CBT and the motorcycle theory and practical tests on a two-wheeled motorbike.