Looking into bikes
Author
Discussion

greendiff

Original Poster:

256 posts

209 months

Monday 17th December 2018
quotequote all
Considering getting a bike for general usage - but am confused as to licences and the lot?

Car test passed in '03.

What can i ride?

CookieR

856 posts

242 months

Monday 17th December 2018
quotequote all
greendiff said:
Considering getting a bike for general usage - but am confused as to licences and the lot?

Car test passed in '03.

What can i ride?
Nothing without a CBT

https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-cate...

BobSaunders

3,110 posts

186 months

Tuesday 18th December 2018
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https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped

Read that. Google is your friend.

BobSaunders

3,110 posts

186 months

Tuesday 18th December 2018
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And to add;

If you have a car licence
You have to pass a motorcycle theory test before taking the motorcycle test.

https://www.gov.uk/motorcycle-theory-test

trickywoo

14,271 posts

261 months

Tuesday 18th December 2018
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If you go for it don’t be put off by the cbt. I found it a pretty crap day being told all the ways you can be killed on a bike followed by a short ride on a knackered 125.

Dakkon

7,833 posts

284 months

Tuesday 18th December 2018
quotequote all
CBT
Bike Theory test
Then assuming that you are over 21 you need to pass your bike practical test on a 500cc bike to have access to any bike after passing.

You can do it in one week, called DAS or split it out over a period of time.

CBT and Bike theory are both valid for two years in which you need to do your main bike test.

Bumblebee7

1,533 posts

106 months

Tuesday 18th December 2018
quotequote all
As others have said, you can't ride anything without first doing a CBT (Compulsary Basic Training). This is a day long course (not test) that ensures you are safe on the road. Assuming you meet the minimum standard you will be permitted to ride a motorbike up to 125cc with L plates for two years.

You can do the CBT on a manual or auto but will be permitted to use either after the course. I would recommend doing the CBT on a manual irrespective of what you intend to ride later, as there's no harm in the extra training.

Depending on your future plans you can either keep renewing your CBT every two years, which you can do indefinitely and continue riding on L plates or you can take a test for a full licence.

Your licencing options are A1, A2 or A (full unrestricted). Given you passed your car in 2003 you must be at least 32 years old so you would be able to jump straight to doing an A licence (DAS) which is the Direct Access Scheme allowing anyone over 24 to go straight onto a big bike. The others aren't worth considering as the test is the same but you will be limited on capacity. The A licence must be done on a bike of at least 54bhp or 40kw and capacity over 595cc.

In order to do the full A licence you will need to do your CBT, followed by the motorbike theory test and then the Mod 1 and Mod 2 test. Mod 1 tests your handling ability on a closed test circuit and the Mod 2 is the road ride which is similar to your driving test. You have two years to pass Mod 1 & Mod 2 from the date you pass your theory test. If you don't do it in this time you will need to start the whole process again.

If you're not sure what you want to do the best thing is to go and book your CBT. It's around £100 and will give you a taster to see if biking is for you. See what you think and take it from there.