Motorcycle Licence Options
The motorcycle licence options available to you are listed below, but to gain them you must first complete CBT, pass a motorcycle theory test and take further training, culminating in your practical test on a bike in accordance with the licence you require. You can do all of this as part of an intensive course.
To be eligible to start training, you must have a full UK car licence, a provisional UK car licence with valid provisional motorcycle entitlement, or an EU licence with valid UK counterpart (D58/2) showing provisional motorcycle entitlement. If you have the photocard licence, you must have both parts of it, both the photocard and the paper counterpart licence (D740). If you have no licence at all, you will need to collect form D1 from the Post Office and apply for one, or you can apply online here. If you have a licence from outside of the UK please visit the following page on the Directgov web site.
A - Direct Access
Full UK bike licence with no restriction on what you can ride.The most popular option for those aged twenty-one and over. It allows you to ride any size of bike straight away. Taken on a manual motorcycle, it allows you to ride either manual bikes or automatics. Please note that you can only ride a large bike on the road before you pass your test when you are accompanied by an authorised Direct Access Instructor.
- Restrictions on what you can ride: None
- Minimum age: 21
- Minimum test vehicle: Any motorcycle with a power output of more than 46.6 b.h.p. We use 500cc bikes, which are more than ample.
- Allows you to: Carry passengers, discard your L-plates and to ride on motorways.
- Course you need: Direct Access
A2 - Restricted UK bike licence
Full UK bike licence with a two-year power restriction on what you can ride.
Designed for those not wanting to ride anything too powerful for two years and the only licence option available to those aged 17-20. This licence can be gained using either a manual or automatic motorcycle. If you take your test on an automatic, you may only ride an automatic, which means that will only be able ride a manual bike as a learner. If you take your test on a manual bike, you can ride either manual or automatic.
- Restrictions on what you can ride: Maximum of 33 b.h.p./25 kW with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg and then after two years the licence automatically matures so that you can ride any size of bike. If the bike you want does exceed 33 b.h.p./25 kW, you will need to get the engine restricted down to 33 b.h.p./25 kW. If you reach the age of 21 before your licence matures, you can lift the restriction by taking your test again on a larger machine (Accelerated Access)
- Minimum age: 17
- Minimum test vehicle: Any motorcycle over 120cc and less than 125cc and capable of at least 62.5 m.p.h. (100 km/h). There must be certification to back this up. If you book to use one of our 125cc bikes, they all meet the minimum vehicle requirements to gain this A2 licence.
- Allows you to: Carry passengers, discard your L-plates and to ride on motorways.
- Course you need: Supercourse.
A1 - Restricted UK bike licence
Full UK bike licence which allows you to ride maximum 125cc
Designed for those definitely not wanting to ride anything more powerful than a 125cc motorcycle. This licence can be gained using an automatic or manual motorcycle. If you take your test on an automatic, you may only ride an automatic, which means that will only be able ride a manual bike as a learner. If you take your test on a manual bike, you can ride either manual or automatic.
- Restrictions on what you can ride: Maximum of 125cc with a power output of no greater than 11kW/14.6 b.h.p. If you want to get rid of the restriction you will have to take another test on a more powerful motorcycle.
- Minimum age: 17
- Minimum test vehicle: Any motorcycle over 75cc and less than 125cc and capable of less than 62.5 m.p.h. (100 km/h)
- Allows you to: Carry passengers, discard your L-plates and to ride on motorways.
- Course you need: Supercourse.