How to obtain a full motorcycle licence

Current Licence

CBT required?

Theory Test required?

Direct Access

Accelerated Access
Provisional Driving Licence Yes, before you can ride on the road

Yes, before you take a practical test

 Must be 21 or over Not applicable
Full car licence Yes, before you can ride on the road

Yes, before you take a practical

test

 Must be 21 or over Not Applicable
Restricted full motorcycle licence (Category A) No No Not Applicable Available if 21 or over
Full motorcycle licence
(sub-category A)		 No No Must be 21 or over Not applicable
Full moped licence obtained by passing moped test after 1/7/96 No No Must be 21 or over Not applicable
Full moped licence obtained by passing moped test between 1/12/90 & 1/7/96 No Yes, before you take a practical test Must be 21 or over Not applicable
Full moped licence obtained by passing a moped test before 1/12/90 Yes, before you can ride a motorcycle on the road Yes, before you take a practical test Must be 21 or over Not applicable

How to obtain a full moped licence

Provisional moped licence (aged 16) Yes, before you can ride on the road Yes, before you take a practical moped test Not applicable Not applicable
Provisional driving licence Yes, before you can ride on the road Yes, before you take a practical moped test Not applicable Not applicable

How to validate full moped entitlement on a full car licence issued after February 2001

Full car licence obtained by passing driving test after 1/2/01 Yes DL196 remains valid for the life of the licence No Not applicable Not applicable

Licence Types

Full motorcycle licence
 
Sub-category A A full licence allows you to ride machines up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp) You can obtain a full sub-category A licence by passing the practical test on a bike between 75cc and 125cc
Category A

A full category A licence gives you full entitlement to all machines. You can obtain a full category A licence

  • with a two year qualifying period

  • without a two year qualifying period via Direct Access (see below)
Category A with two year qualifying period

This will be obtained by passing the motorcycle test on a motorcycle of between 121cc and 125cc and capable of at least 100km/h (62.5mph)

Riders who are subject to the two year qualifying period will be restricted to machines of 25 kW (33 bhp) maximum or power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg for a period of two years from the date they passed their test. At the end of that time any size of motorcycle may be ridden without taking another test.

Category A via Direct Access

This is for riders aged 21 or over. Passing the motorcycle test on a machine of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp) gives immediate access to all sizes of motorcycle. You can practice on any size of motorcycle which exceeds the UK learner specification provided that

  • you are accompanied at all times by a qualified approved instructor, on another motorcycle and in radio contact

  • fluorescents or reflective safety clothing is worn during supervision

  • L plates are fitted and provisional licence restrictions followed
Accelerated Access This option is for riders over 21 who reach the age of 21 before their two year qualifying period is completed. You can ake a further test to give you immediate access to all motorcycles. This test must be taken on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). To practice for this test you are subject to the same conditions as for Direct Access.