Motorbike lessons – The Facts.
If you are reading these words, you must be thinking about taking motorbike lessons, so here are some of the hard facts about current rider training and the roadcraft you will need to not only gain basic handling skills and pass your test, but become a confident rider. You may be new to motorcycling, perhaps you have ridden a motor bike in the past and are coming back to biking. We aim to help you with your test preparation so you can get the most from your motorbike lessons.
Licence requirements.
You must have a provisional licence to cover Category A. This can be just a provisional licence alone or as part of your full car license.
Before you can put any motorbike, moped or scooter on the road you must complete a Compulsory Basic Training Course. The only exception is, if you passed a full car test before February 1st 2001, that would allow you to ride a restricted moped up to 50cc, on the road, without L plates and to carry a passenger.
You would still need to pass the CBT if you wished to ride any motorcycle with an engine size bigger than 50cc.
If you decide to get a full two wheel licence, you must take the Motorcycle Theory Test before taking the practical test. This is the case, even if you have a full car license, you still need motorcycle training as the two theory tests are not identical.
However, learners who have have taken and passed the two part moped test, or you have a lower category of full motorcycle licence, since July 1st 1996, you are not required to take a further motorcycle theory test. Any theory test you do take and pass is valid for two years.
IF YOU ARE AGED 17 PLUS, YOU HAVE 3 WAYS OF OBTAINING A MOTORCYCLE LICENCE.
A1 Motorcycle Licence.
If you have decided that a motorcycle of 125cc is big enough for your needs, you can train and take a test on a bike of between 75cc and 125cc. You will then be allowed to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc and 14.6 BHP or 11KW. You will also be allowed to carry a passenger and take the bike on motorways. Your license will be restricted to this category unless you take further training and a test.
A2 Motorcycle test.
In this case, both training and test are taken on a motorbike of 120 to 125cc, capable of reaching 62mph, but still restricted to 14.6 BHP or 11KW. Having passed this practical test, you would then be able to ride any motorcycle up to 33BHP or 25KW. Again you would be able to carry a passenger and ride on motorways. After 2 years, this A2 licence becomes a full Category A licence and you can ride a motorcycle of any size.
Direct Access.
In order to take the Direct Access route, you must be over 21 years of age. Your training and testing will take place on motorcycles of 46.6BHP or 35KW, only when accompanied by a qualified instructor. Not your pal or your Dad! Having successfully passed your test in this category, you will be allowed to carry passengers and ride on motorways on any size of bike.