Does anyone know...?

[_Al_]

A friend of mine wants to buy a 50cc scooter, limited to 30mph that he can use with his existing driving license.

He wants to know if he can carry a pillion on it. The only reference he can find on the subject goes along the lines;

"You can't carry a pillion while you're using L plates"

He won't be, so can he carry a passenger?

Sorry that's terribly written but I have to go out now so I'm rushing it.

Any help appreciated.

[dirkgently]

Try here [url] www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm[/url]

[mandat]

I assume that your friend want to use their existing car licence.

If so, they need to first complete a half day course, called "Compulsory Basic Training" or CBT for short.

Once they have done this they need to pass an actual driving test for category A1 (for mopeds, scooters, etc which alows them to ride up to 125cc or 12bhp). For larger bikes they need to do a Category A test which is a sepaarte story and depends on age.

In between doing the CBT and passing the full driving test, they need to use L plates, therefore they cannot carry pillion passengers during this time.

I hope this answers you question.

[mechsympathy]

mandat said:

I assume that your friend want to use their existing car licence. If so, they need to first complete a half day course, called "Compulsory Basic Training" or CBT for short. Once they have done this they need to pass an actual driving test for category A1 (for mopeds, scooters, etc which alows them to ride up to 125cc or 12bhp). For larger bikes they need to do a Category A test which is a sepaarte story and depends on age. In between doing the CBT and passing the full driving test, they need to use L plates, therefore they cannot carry pillion passengers during this time. I hope this answers you question.

It depends when they got their licence. If you passed it long enough ago you don't even need (And I'm not saying this is a good idea) to do CBT. I'm not sure of the dates though.

[autismuk]

mechsympathy said:

mandat said: I assume that your friend want to use their existing car licence. If so, they need to first complete a half day course, called "Compulsory Basic Training" or CBT for short. Once they have done this they need to pass an actual driving test for category A1 (for mopeds, scooters, etc which alows them to ride up to 125cc or 12bhp). For larger bikes they need to do a Category A test which is a sepaarte story and depends on age. In between doing the CBT and passing the full driving test, they need to use L plates, therefore they cannot carry pillion passengers during this time. I hope this answers you question. It depends when they got their licence. If you passed it long enough ago you don't even need (And I'm not saying this is a good idea) to do CBT. I'm not sure of the dates though.

I'm not quite sure this is right.

If you have a car license you can ride a moped on that, but you can't drive a 125cc Bike as you used to be able to, you have to do a CBT.

As a rider of an old CZ125 I remember this clearly, being pi**ed off at the Gov't for changing this rule for no apparent reason.

[catso]

autismuk said:

If you have a car license you can ride a moped on that, but you can't drive a 125cc Bike as you used to be able to, you have to do a CBT.

Yes, from about '96 or '97 50cc only, prior to that you could ride a 125cc with L plates (no pillion), up until sometime in the '80's it was for 250cc bikes.

But I think you need to do a CBT now even for a 'ped? (if you're new to bikes I'd certainly advise it anyway) and you need L plates until you pass a test, anyone with L plates can't carry a pillion, anyway not many 50cc bikes have room or footrests for a pillion and none of them have the power to carry one uphill since they're designed for rider only.

To get rid of L plates you need to pass a bike test within a certain time from doing the CBT (2 or 3 years?), if you do not pass within this time you need to take the CBT again.

Personally I wouldn't even consider carrying a pillion on something so underpowered and if you want to do so on bike that's capable then you need to pass a test.

My advice is get the test sorted and get a 'proper' bike, of at least 400cc

Eeeh things were so much easier when I were a lad.

[telecat]

As far as I am aware Any car licence has a Full Moped Licence included hence no CBT. Looking at the DVLA website link from above that is what it states. Your friend could fork out for a old style "Super" moped from the old pre-restricted days as well. The best of these could make 70MPH but the most popular the Yamaha FS1E, hit about 55 to 60mph.

[Dwight VanDriver]

Quick flick on my notes:

Moped is defined -if first used on or after 1.8.1977-is a motor cycle with max design speed n/e 30 mph, kerbside weight n/e 250 kg and engine n/e 50cc. Anything outside these it isn't a moped.

Licence classification - 'P' moped.

Cat 'B' Licence (motor cars) carries FULL entitlement for Group P mopeds.

So providing he holds a full Licence for B then he holds a full Licence for mopeds.

BUT if he passed B Test before 1.2.2001 may ride P without L Plates or CBT so can carry passenger. After this date CBT required.

This area of Licensing used to be relatively simple but has now become an absolute minefield.....

DVD

[catso]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Licence classification - 'P' moped. Cat 'B' Licence (motor cars) carries FULL entitlement for Group P mopeds. So providing he holds a full Licence for B then he holds a full Licence for mopeds. BUT if he passed B Test before 1.2.2001 may ride P without L Plates or CBT so can carry passenger. After this date CBT required.

I stand corrected but there can't be many Mopeds that are truly capable of carrying a passenger at anything more than walking pace once you reach a hill - might be easier to walk

Best of luck anyway.

[mechsympathy]

From Dirkgently's URL

The DVLA said:

Motorcycles, scooters and mopeds You must complete compulsory basic training [CBT] before riding a moped or motorcycle (with or without sidecar) on the road. However, you may ride on a road under the supervision of an approved instructor as part of that training course. Your motorcycle dealer or local council road safety officer can give information on local training schemes, or see adverts in local papers and telephone directories. up to 31 January 2001 From 1 January 1997 all learner moped and motorcycle riders irrespective of when a licence was issued must have completed a Compulsory Basic Training [CBT] course before riding a moped or motorcycle on the road. When you successfully complete a CBT you will get a Certificate of Completion (DL196) which is valid for 3 years. Keep your certificate safe because you will need to show it to the examiner when you take your moped or motorcycle practical test. You may also need to show it to the police. Certificates issued before 1 July 1996 expired on 30 June 1999. The requirement to complete CBT does not apply to those riders who are: learning to ride a motorcycle and who have already obtained full moped entitlement as a result of passing a moped test on or after 1 December 1990, or riding a moped with full entitlement given automatically with a full car licence. from 1 February 2001 After 1 February 2001 when you successfully complete CBT you will get a Certificate of Completion (DL 196) which will be valid for 2 years. Certificates issued prior to that date will be valid for 3 years. Keep your CBT certificate safe because you will need it when you apply for and take your moped or motorcycle theory test. You will also need it when you apply for and take your moped or motorcycle accompanied test, and you may need to show it to the police if required. If you have any enquiries about CBT phone Driving Standards Agency on: 0115 901 2500 and ask for the CBT section. If you are learning to ride a moped or motorcycle,you cannot carry a pillion passenger. You can only learn to ride on motorcycles over 125cc if: you are over 21 and accompanied by an approved instructor on a separate machine at all times, or you are riding a motorcycle with a sidecar Moped A moped is a motorcycle which: cannot go faster than 50km/h must not have an engine over 50cc can be moved by pedals, if the moped was used before 1 August 1977. Any enquiries about CBT should also be referred to the DSA.

It doesn't specify whether the bit in bold carries on after 2001

[_Al_]

That certainly answered the question, thanks guys.

Incidentally, don't worry about CBT, he used to ride a scooter at uni so he's clear there. He just wants it for him and his girlfriend to ride around London.

Thanks again.
Al.

[ledfoot]

I passed a CBT test about 10 years ago and have held car licence since 1980, so do I need to retake a CBT to ride a 125 ? or do I not need to have CBT ?