Inevitably, when you’re learning to ride, at some point you have to get your full UK motorcycle license, known as a “Category A license,” opens the door to one of the most exciting and liberating reports of all time, but it can seem puzzling. complex.
Fear not, though: MCN is here to leave the jargon behind and make starting your life on two wheels easier than ever.
Once you have this in-depth article, we advise you to purchase the official DVSA book:
The first thing to do is to know how to ride a motorcycle.
Two documents are required to legally ride a motorcycle on the road as an apprentice: a provisional motorcycle license (or car equivalent) and a certificate of compulsory fundamental education (CBT). These will allow you to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125 cm3. and 14. 8 hp (11 kW). You will have to present L plates and you will not be able to drive on the road or as a car as a passenger.
A provisional driver’s permit can be obtained by completing an application form at the postal workplace or online. You will have to be at least 17 years old to get one for a motorcycle. At 16, you can get one for a moped. It is explained that it has an engine that does not exceed 50 cc and a more sensitive speed that does not exceed 30 mph.
If you have a full car permit, it already comes with the provisional motorcycle right. To make sure, check your permit for provisional entitlement to vehicle category A. If you received a full car permit before February 1, 2001, you can drive a moped without a CBT certificate.
Otherwise, before riding a moped or motorcycle on the road, you’ll want to locate a CBT course taught through an approved educational organization (ATB). The course consists of hands-on education at ATB’s driver and motorcycle education center. It costs between £100 and £135 and a maximum of ATVs will offer motorcycles and helmets. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a CBT certificate that is valid for two years.
Your next step is to pass the Array theoryThis is done in a DVLA center and is done on a computer.
You can review through the following book:
If you’ve read this far, it’s evident that you’re cut out to be a motorcyclist, so keep going. To get a full license, you must pass a series of theoretical and practical exams, each of which consists of two parts called mod 1 and mod 2.
You’ll qualify by following a series of steps, known as “step-by-step access,” and if you’re over 24, you may need to skip parts of what’s known as shortcut.
If you are between 17 and 18 years old, you can take a theoretical and practical exam to download a full motorcycle license, which will allow you to get rid of the L plates and ride on the highway. But you will have an A1 licence that limits you to 125 cc and 14. 8 hp, the same power and capacity limits as before.
Alternatively, you can keep your CBT until you are 19 years old and then take a two-part practical test to obtain an A2 license. This will limit it to 47 hp (35 kW) and no more than 0. 26 hp per kilogram (0. 2 kW/kg).
Once you have the A2 licence for two years, you can carry out a new two-part practical check to finally get your A licence to drive the motorcycle of your choice. The minimum age to enjoy the benefits of an unlimited motorcycle is therefore 21 years old, provided you have the applicable experience.
Alternatively, if you are 24 years of age or older, you can take a theoretical and practical test to download an A license. The theory test includes multiple-choice questions and video clips from the hazard awareness test. Both parts are taken on a computer and cost £23.
The practical test consists of a manoeuvring test at the examination centre (Module 1) and a road test (Module 2). They can be reserved or together, but both must be approved within two years of the wisdom test.
The Module 1 practical exam lasts about 20 minutes and includes:
Once the verification is complete, your examiner will tell you if you passed or failed by observing harmful misconduct (those that involve a danger to you, the examiner, the public, or property), serious misconduct (which is potentially harmful), or driving. misconduct (which isn’t potentially harmful, but can be serious if you continue to engage in it).
To pass Module 1, you will not need to have any serious or harmful misconduct (sometimes referred to as primary misconduct) and no more than five driving offenses (often referred to as minor misconduct).
If you pass, the examiner will tell you what mistakes you have made, if any, and give you a certificate of achievement. You will need to bring it with you in your Module 2 verification. If you do not pass, you will need to rebook your Module 1 consultation and pay again, waiting at least 3 business days from the date of your failure.
If you have already booked your Module 2, you may also want to reschedule it and keep in mind that you will lose your fees if you do not give 3 full days’ notice.
It should be noted here that many other people fail this part of the motorcycle test. We recommend specialized education before you begin, as you’ll need some quick skills to complete it. In components, the U-turn, slalom, and figure-eight can cause disruption if you haven’t learned how to drive slowly properly. This component of the test is a bit more complicated than what is done in CBT, so it’s worth spending some time on it.
Module 2 of the practical motorcycle license considers more complex maneuvers. It lasts about an hour and starts with an eye exam: you’ll need to check that you can read a popular license plate from 20. 5 meters away (or 20 meters if it’s a new-style license plate), as will have been verified on your exam. TCC.
You will then be asked a series of questions about motorcycles and safety.
This is followed by a path of about 30 minutes. This deserves to come with a variety of traffic and road conditions, as well as a variety of conditions such as angled and hilly starts.
The test is done in full radio contact with your instructor and will come with 10 minutes of autonomous driving to assess your ability to follow directions and/or road signs.
At any other time, the instructor will tell you which way to go, and don’t worry if you take a wrong turn. This is not a check of your surfing skills, but of your functionality on your bike.
How much do Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests charge? Module 1 will charge £15. 50 and module 2 will charge £75 on weekdays or £88. 50 in the evenings and weekends. The total of the shed, the training, can cost around £700.
There are still big decisions to be made. First and foremost, it’s vital to note that a hands-on check done on a turn-start automatic will only qualify you to drive turn-start automatics. To ride geared motorcycles, you need to pass the control on a geared bike. .
There are 3 subcategories of motorcycles that you can use for verification. This category will be the subcategory in which you will be able to drive once you download this express license. You will need to use the same subcategory device for any of the verification modules.
An internship carried out on a motorcycle of subcategory A1, which is a motorcycle between 120 cm3 and 125 cm3, which does not exceed 15 hp (11 kW) and is capable of reaching a speed of at least 90 km/h, will allow you to download a category A1 “light motorcycle license”.
You will be limited to motorcycles with a maximum displacement of 125 cm3 and a power of 15 hp. Examples include the Honda CBR125 and KTM 125 Duke, but you can also check out our existing variety of 125cc motorcycles.
You can use highways or passenger transport and their L-shaped plates.
To download the A2 licence, it will be necessary to use a bicycle of at least 395 cm3, generating between 35 hp (25 kW) and 47 hp (35 kW) and having a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0. 26 hp constant. with kilogram (0. 2 kW/kg). ).
A bike that meets these regulations is the Yamaha MT-03 or the KTM 390 Duke, but many bikes with enough displacement to meet them will have to be limited to the A2 subcategory, adding the Kawasaki ER-6F and the Suzuki. GSX650F. If they are limited, the overall unlimited strength cannot exceed twice their new limited strength.
According to the Driver Standards Agency, if you intend to ride a motorcycle with A2 restrictions, you will need to bring evidence of the restriction to your test, otherwise it will be cancelled.
It will have to be written on the letterhead of a number one dealer, official importer or identified specialist, and will have to be accompanied by the license plate of the motorcycle. A dynamometric inspection certificate will not be accepted.
Finally, an unrestricted category A motorcycle must be at least 595 cc tall and develop at least 54 hp (40 kW).
If the complexity of those possible options and obstacles is giving you a headache, don’t worry.
No matter which path you take, you need training and a good school will advise you through the process from start to finish.
Many will offer everything from CBT to a place for hands-on control in a package tailored to get you the type of motorcycle license you need.
It is also to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road:
If you are over 24 years old and have smart experience as a car driver or similar, you may need to take a Direct Access Program (DAS) course to complete your conversion to a full motorcycle license.
These courses can last as little as 4 full days and can cost up to 4 figures. Compare prices and talk to a few schools before embarking on such a project, and ideally, look for visitor reviews before you begin.
Once you’ve received your full UK motorcycle license, be sure to check out our tips for your first month of motorcycling.
As long as you have a CBT and have valid insurance, yes.
You will need a full A license, some motorcycles that can be driven with an A2 license are 600 cm3 and others would possibly be limited to this power.
You’ll first want to download a CBT and pass a knowledge test, and also be 19 years of age or older.
You need a CBT at a minimum to ride any motorcycle in the UK.
No, you can do CBT as a theoretical test.
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