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What is a moped and what is a motorcycle ?

A moped is a motorcycle that has the following features:

• Maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h (approx. 31 mph)
• Does not have an engine over 50 cc.
• Can be moved by pedals, if the moped was first used before 1 August 1977.

A learner motorcycle has the following features:

• Engine up to 125cc.
• Power output not exceeding 11kW.

Provisional Moped Licence

You can only hold this if you are at least 16 years old. It entitles you to ride a moped on the road as a learner with L-plates. You MUST NOT carry pillion passengers or use motorways.

Your provisional licence is only valid when you have the DL196 Certificate issued on completion of CBT by an approved training body.

Provisional moped licences are not time limited.

A CBT certificate obtained on a moped is also valid for motorcycles once the rider has reached the age of 17 years and has the necessary licence.

Full Moped Licence

A full moped licence automatically gives you provisional motorcycle entitlement. However, you must be at least 17 years old to take up the provisional entitlement.
 
Provisional Motorcycle Licence

You can only hold this licence if you are at least 17 years old. It entitles you to ride a moped or a motorcycle as a learner with L-plates. You may practice unaccompanied on a bike up to 125cc after a compulsory basic training (CBT) course has been completed. For larger machines the Direct Access rules apply.
You MUST not carry pillion passengers or use motorways.

Provisional motorcycle licences issued before 1 February 2001 are valid for two years from the date of issue. Provisional motorcycle licences issued from 1 February 2001 will be valid until age 70. Persons whose licences have lapsed under the pre-February 2001 rules, or who fail to pass a test within the 2 year life of their current licence, will be able to apply to have their provisional motorcycle licence restored immediately.

Full Car Licence

If you passed a car test before 1 February 2001, you are automatically entitled to ride a moped without L-plates and without taking CBT (although it is recommended that you do). If you passed a car test on or after that date, you will still receive moped entitlement but will need to complete a basic moped riding course before riding on the road.

Your full car licence also gives you provisional motorcycle entitlement - you may ride as a learner with L-plates, but you must complete a CBT course first.

You MUST NOT carry pillion passengers or use motorways.
 
What training do I need to take ?

The starting point for learners is Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). This is a course run by training bodies approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Most DSA approved training bodies can hire or loan both bikes and safety equipment, e.g. helmets.

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

All learner riders must complete CBT before riding on the roads.
CBT pass certificates issued before 1 February 2001 will be valid for three years from the date of issue. Those certificates issued from 1 February 2001, will be valid for 2 years. CBT will have to be re-taken if both theory and practical tests are not passed within the Certificate life.

CBT must be completed before riding on the road by all learners who are resident on mainland Great Britain, islands that are connected to the mainland by a road, and the following islands: - Wight, North Uist, Lewis, South Uist, Harris, Benbecula, mainland Orkney and mainland Shetland. Residents of all other islands will be exempt from the need to take CBT, but only if riding on roads which are on an exempted island.

A CBT certificate issued in respect of a course completed on a motorcycle and sidecar combination or a moped with more than 2 wheels will restrict the provisional riding entitlement (or full moped entitlement on full car licence) to such vehicles.

Once you have successfully completed CBT, and have your Certificate (DL196), you can carry on to take additional training to pass your tests and qualify for a full motorcycle or moped licence.
 
What test do I need to take ?

There are 3 categories of full licence to aim for:

• Category P moped.
• Sub-Category A1 - light motorcycle licence which restricts riders to any bike up to 125cc and a power output of 11 kW.
• Category A - standard motorcycle licence.

Moped and Motorcycle tests normally consist of 2 separate parts - a theory test and a practical test.
 
Theory Test

You will probably need to pass a Theory Test before taking a practical test for a moped or a motorcycle.

You do not need to take a theory test if you already hold a full licence for another category of motorcycle or have passed a moped test since 1 July 1996.

The Theory Test Pass Certificate is valid for 2 years. The practical test must be passed within this period otherwise the Theory Test will have to be taken again.
 
Practical Test

• Category P - the practical test can be taken on any moped.
• >Sub-category A1 - the practical test must be taken on a bike of between 75cc and 125cc.

> • Category A - the practical test is taken on a bike of between 121cc and 125cc and capable of at least 100 kph. After passing the standard motorcycle practical test you will be restricted for 2 years to riding a bike of up to 25kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg. After this you may ride any size of bike.

Riders over the age of 21, or those who reach 21 before their 2-year restriction ends, have further test options:

Direct Access

Those who do not already hold a full motorcycle licence, may after taking CBT and the Theory Test, if necessary take the practical test on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35 kW. A pass will allow you to ride any size of bike.

All or part of the CBT course may be taken on either a learner bike or a large bike.

You may practise for the practical test on bikes larger than the learner bike specification provided:
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• You are accompanied at all times by a qualified instructor or another bike and in radio contact.
• You wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions.

Accelerated Access

Riders who already hold a full licence and reach age 21 while still within the 2 year restricted period and wish to ride bikes larger than 25kW, may practise and take a further test on a large bike.

The same test and practise conditions for Direct Access riders will apply.

Although you revert to learner status while practising, test failure will not affect your existing motorcycle licence entitlement.

Side cars

Learners who wish to ride with a sidecar can practise on a combination with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg.

On obtaining a standard licence (category A) you will be restricted to a combination with the above power/weight ratio for two years.

At the age 21 learners may, only within Direct or Accelerated Access provisions, practise on a larger combination. But the test must be taken on a solo bike (physically disabled riders may take a test on sidecar combination, but their licence will limit them to riding combinations).
 
Further Information

For more information contact:

• Your local motorcycle dealer
• Your Local Authority Road Safety Officer

Note :
1bhp = 0.75kW
100 km/h = 62 mph (approx.)
1 kg = 2.2lbs

Examples :

11kW = 14.6 bhp
25kW = 33 bhp
35kW = 46.6 bhp
bhp = brake horse power

If you have any queries about this leaflet or require details of your local approved training bodies, please contact the Driving Standards Agency on:
0115 901 2500.