Motorcycle Licence guide from 19th January 2013

On 19th January 2013 the motorcycle licence restrictions changed for new motorcycle riders.

In summary

The motorcycle licence restricts riders under 19 to 125cc, even having passed a category A1 motorcycle test

19 year olds can take a Direct Access Test category A2 test and ride upto 47bhp (35kw) motorcycles, and 2 years later (or at 24 years old or older) can take an unrestricted motorcycle Test (A2 to A) motorcycle test.(previously called accelerated access)

Unrestricted Direct Access Test (Category A) motorcycle test can be taken at 24 years old (or over 24 years old) or by holding a category A2 motorcycle licence holders with at least 2 years experience.

Details

Minimum Age	What can I ride ?	Motorcycle licence restrictions (From 19th Jan 2013)	Training / test requirement	Motorcycle required for test
16	Up to 50cc moped geared or automatic scooter	plates front & rear No greater than a 50cc engine size Restricted to 32km/h (32mph) No passengers No motorways	Complete a CBT training course	50cc Moped, scooter or geared limited to 32mph. See CBT page.
17	125cc motorcycle or scooter.	plates front & rear No greater than a 125cc engine size producing no more than 15bhp (14.7bhp / 11kw) No passengers No motorways	Complete a CBT training course	Motorcycle or scooter over 120cc but not exceeding 125cc and capable of traveling at least 62mph. See CBT page.
17	125cc motorcycle or scooter.	No greater than a 125cc engine size producing no more than 15bhp (14.7bhp / 11kw).	Complete a CBT training course Pass your category A1 motorcycle test	Motorcycle or scooter over 120cc but not exceeding 125cc and capable of traveling at least 62mph Also see Motorbike Hire & Delivery
19	47bhp (35kw) motorcycle or scooter.	Motorcycle / scooter producing no more than 47 horse power (47bhp / 35kw), not derived (restricted) from a machine of twice that power	Complete a CBT training course Pass your Direct Access motorcycle test (category A2)	A Motorcycle of capacity of 395cc or over (400cc+) with a power output of between 25kw (33bhp) and 35kw (47bhp). See Direct Access Test category A2
21	Any motorcycle or scooter.	None	Complete a CBT training course Hold a category A2 motorcycle licence for at least 2 years Pass your Direct Access motorcycle test (category A)	A Motorcycle of capacity of 595cc or over (600cc+) with a power output of 40kw (54bhp) or above. See Licence upgrade refresher
24	Any motorcycle or scooter.	None	Complete a CBT training course Pass your Direct Access motorcycle test (category A)	A Motorcycle of capacity of 595cc or over (600cc+) with a power output of 40kw (54bhp) or above. See Direct Access Test category A

Click here to read Motorcycle News article on the changes

Learner status. L-Plates must be displayed full size in a near vertical position front and rear of the motorcycle, scooter or moped. You need valid CBT and can not carry passengers or use motorways. You are restricted to riding in the country in which you took your CBT course

Notes
The above table does not include "Grandfather rights" to moped (50cc) licence (category p).
Details of other non licence related legal requirement, e.g. tax, insurance, mot etc.

Also note
If you are using your own machine for an A2 licence test or training, the official restriction certificate from the dealer / importer / restricting company will need to be provided.
Motorcycle tests (Not CBT) taken on automatic / semi automatic will restrict you to riding automatic / semi automatic machines.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ's)

Q	Do the January 2013 motorcycle licence changes affect CBT's?
A	NO. The CBT course (not a test) will remain unchanged from January 2013. The Compulsory Basic Training will still allow provisional riding of 50cc and 125cc on the roads following the sucessful completion of the CBT course. (subject to insurance, tax, legal bike etc.) A CBT certificate (DL196) is valid for 2 years from completion of the CBT course. After which (if you have not successfully passed your full motorcycle test) you would have to re-take the CBT course.
Q	I did my CBT on a 50cc moped scooter, I'm now 17 can I ride a 125cc geared machine
A	Yes. The CBT certificate (DL196) is valid for moped riding at 16 and 125cc riding at 17 and older. (subject to L-Plates, mot tax etc.). However it may be sensible to think about some Gearbox Training if you are moving from an automatic to a geared / manual motorcycle.
Q	I ride a 125cc scooter and have a current CBT which is soon to expire. I've recently passed my driving test for a car and now have a full car driving licence. Do I need to renew my CBT and do I need to keep the L-Plates on my 125cc scooter.
A	Yes you will need to maintain a current CBT certificate (renew CBT certificate every two years) and keep the L-Plates. Your car licence is category B. On your new driving licence this will show category B. However for a motorcycle, you will need provisional entitlement to category A. This means you need the L-Plates and a current CBT certificate. It is worth noting. If you were riding a moped (50cc limited to 31mph, geared or automatic) your car licence extends your CBT indefinitely, and you don't need the L-Plates on the moped. For more information see Compulsory basic training (CBT) (gov-uk). Check my driving licence
Q	If I successfully complete my module 1 125cc motorcycle test before January 19th 2013, but not my module 2, am I still subject to this 3rd EU directive which affects my licence restriction?
A	Only if you successfully complete both modules (1 and 2) of the old motorcycle test before January 19th 2013 will you fall into the old restrictions (i.e. 33bhp limit for 2 years). Successfully passing your module 2 motorcycle test after January 19th 2013 means you come under the new licence restrictions. i.e. you will be limited to 125cc (outlined above)
Q	I've passed my module 1 but not module 2, can I ride a biger restricted bike e.g. 500cc / 600cc
A	No. Passing the module 1 test has only proved you has sufficient control of the motorcycle to take the module 2 test. The module 1 test does not change your licence or entitlement in anyway. Only successful passing of the module 2 test will allow you to ride a motorcycle in the category of test you take (A1=125cc A2=up to 47bhp / 35kw A=Unrestricted.)
Q	Can I take the A2 motorcycle test on a 125cc motorbike
A	No. 125cc is A1. A2 is 395cc+ between 33bhp and 47bhp. See table above.
Q	Why has the motorcycle licence, test and restrictions changed
A	To be honest, we have no idea. It's a european directive which the UK has signed up to, we are just try to give facts and advice to prospective motorcycle riders. You would have to address that question to you elected MEP (member of the european parliament) or this you local MP.(Sorry)
Q	Under the 3rd EU driving licence directive which came in on January 19th 2013, is there any way to "get around" each 2 year power restriction for a motorcycle licence?
A	To the best of our knowledge no, unless you wait until you at 19 and take the 400cc+ (category A2) test. (A2 Direct Access Scheme (DAS)) then 2 years later take the unrestricted full category A test). Either that or you are 24 or over and take your category A motorcycle test through the Direct Access Scheme (DAS) test.
Q	I took my 125cc test before this 3rd EU driving licence directive which came in on January 19th 2013, and I've been riding a machine restricted to 33bhp (25kw) motorcycle. Can I now increase the power to 47bhp (35kw)?
A	No, the category A2 test was taken within the scope of the previous testing and licence restriction. Those licence restrictions remain in place until your two years probationary period has passed. (Then you category A2 licence automatically matures into a full category A motorcycle licence.
Q	Do I need to re-take my theory test for each step in the current motorcycle test arrangements
A	To the best of our knowledge no. You will need a valid theory test for when you take both parts (module 1 and module 2) on any test (category A, A2, A1 or p)*
Q	Can I restrict my bigger bike (250cc, 400cc, 500cc, 600cc etc.) to 125cc ?
A	Technically no. 125cc is the displacement of the engine, not the power. A 500cc engine will always displace 500cc not 125cc. It's not worth thinking about changing a larger engine for a smaller one as the motorcycle (generally) would be the weight of a large engine motorbike with only a 125cc engine to move it. (it would be less effective than a 125cc motorcycle)
Q	Will my 33bhp restricted A2 motorcycle licence be affected by January 19th 2013 changes?
A	No. Existing 33bhp restricted licence will remain restricted until there 2 year maturity when the restriction will automatically be lifted. The changes are not applied retrospectively.
Q	I'm 18 riding a 125cc motorcycle on a CBT (Learner) can I ride in Europe e.g. France, Germany, Holland, Spain etc.
A	No. The CBT only entitles you to learn ride a motorcycle only in the country where the CBT course was taken. To ride a motorcycle in Europe you will need to have taken a full test. Either the category A1 motorcycle test (limits you to 125cc) or you could wait until you are 19 years old and take the A2 category motorcycle test. Two years later at (e.g. at 21 years old) or at 24 years old you could take the unrestricted category A motorcycle test.
Q	If I pass my 125 motorcycle test (category A1) can I ride in Europe e.g. France, Germany, Holland, Spain etc.
A	Yes you have passed your test! The category on your licence still applied Category A1 (125), Category A2 (47bhp) or category A (Unrestricted) as they are the same throughout europe. Basically you have passed your test so European riding is OK, but no you can't pass a 125cc test in the UK and hop on a 600 in spain.
Q	Can I take my motorcycle test on a scooter ?
A	If you take your motorcycle test on a scooter (Automatic) e.g. a 125cc scooter, you would be restricted to riding an automatic motorcycle. e.g. you won't be allowed to ride a geared motorcycle with a clutch. The power restrictions are the same and described above.
Q	I have a full car licencem have I got "grandfather rights" to ride a 125cc motorcycle
A	No. You may have moped rights (category p, that's a lowercase p) along the bottom of your pink driving licence. In which case you can legally ride a moped. (maximum 50cc restricted to a maximum speed of 50km/hour or 31mph) To ride a motorcycle, (Category A) you will need to follow the guidelines detailed above.
Q	My question is not here, can you answer it ?
A	We will do our best, Send us your question from the Contacts page and we will try to answer it. (And it may finish up on this page as well)

* 90-ONE education can not guarantee the accuracy of the above information, although every effort has been made to ensure it is as detailed, concise and accurate as we can make it.