UK Motorcycle and Moped Licences & Laws – 2024

What can I ride on a provisional driving licence?

The provisional driving licence

The following information is for Licences issued after 19th January 2013; if you held a motorcycle or moped licence before this date, you keep your existing entitlements and can still ride the same category of bikes as before.

To ride a motorcycle or moped on the road, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old (16 for a moped – speed range of 25 km/h to 45 km/h)
• Have completed compulsory basic training (CBT)
• Have a provisional Category A driving licence

That licence can be any of the following:

• A provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement
• Full car licence. This automatically provides provisional motorcycle entitlement

Learners who wish to ride a sidecar outfit can do so with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg.

Full UK Bike Licence

You will need to complete a compulsory basic training course (CBT) before taking any full motorbike licence practical tests.

You will need to take and pass a motorcycle theory and hazard perception test and a two-part practical test on a motorbike with the appropriate engine size for all the options below.

As of the 19th of January 2013, there are four moped/motorcycle licence categories.

Full Motorcycle Licence Categories

Further Information

• How to pass MOD1 motorcycle test
• How to pass MOD2 motorcycle test
• A2 Licence – In-depth guide
• Hazard and Theory tests
• Motorcycle practical tests
• DVLA Routes to Full Licence Flowcharts

I have a full car licence can I ride a 125cc?

Yes, if you have a full car licence you can ride a 125cc scooter or motorbike. However, you must take and pass your compulsory basic training (CBT) before riding on the road. With a completed CBT, you can ride a 125cc motorcycle on the road with L plates.

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Can I ride a 125cc on the motorway?

Yes, you can ride a 125cc motorcycle on the motorway if you have a full motorcycle licence. You cannot ride on the motorway if you only have a CBT.

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What motorbike can I ride?

Need a quick and simple introduction?

Want to know what motorbike you can ride on your existing provisional or full licence?

Not sure if you need to take CBT?

Our simple interactive quiz will tell you what you need to know to get out on two wheels.

What motorcycle can you ride interactive quiz

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How to get a licence

Get your provisional driving licence for a car, moped, or motorcycle from the DVLA – apply online. Or you can use Form D1, which is available from the Post Office.

To be approved, you must

• Be a resident of England, Scotland, or Wales – Northern Ireland has a different service.
• Meet the minimum age requirement
• Meet the minimum eyesight requirement
• Have a valid UK passport or other valid ID
• Provide National Insurance number if known
• Provide addresses for the previous 3 years

As of 2021, the cost is £34, payable by debit or credit card.

Compulsory basic training (CBT)

Almost all learner motorcyclists must complete CBT before riding on the road. When you’ve completed CBT, you’ll be given a DL196. You must produce this before you can take the practical motorcycle test.

You don’t need to take a CBT to ride a moped if you:

• Passed the car driving test before 1st Feb 2001
• Live and ride on specified offshore islands
• Passed a full moped test after 1 December 1990

Vehicle Documents

The Registration Document (VRD)

This contains your name and address and details of your motorcycle:

• Make and model
• Year of first registration
• Engine size and number

If you buy a new motorcycle, the dealer will register it with the DVLA. A registration document will then be sent directly to you from the DVLA.

If you buy a second-hand one, you’ll receive the VRD from the seller. Fill in the “Change of ownership” section and send it to the DVLA at the address given on the document. You should do this immediately as it is an offence not to notify the DVLA.

Tax your motorcycle

Your motorcycle must be taxed before going on the road.

As of 2014, the paper tax disc has been abolished on the vehicle. You can tax your bike online at the DVLA, on 0300 123 4321, or at the post office.

Recommended Reading: Motorcycle Tax

Vehicle Excise Duty rate table

*Source: UK Gov official site

Older motorcycles

Motorcycles registered before the 1st of January 1978 are exempt from tax.

MOT – The vehicle test certificate

The MOT test applies to all motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters over 3 years old. The test must be carried out every year at an appointed vehicle testing station.

The purpose of the test is to check that your motorcycle is roadworthy. When your machine passes the test, you’ll be given a vehicle test certificate which you’ll need to produce when you renew your vehicle excise licence.

If your motorcycle fails the test, you must not ride it on the road unless you’re taking it to have the faults corrected or unless you’re taking it for an arranged retest.

Read more about motorcycle MOT.

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Types of insurance

It’s illegal to ride without insurance. Before you take a motorcycle onto public roads, you must get proper insurance cover.

Insurance costs depend mainly on your age, the bike’s size, and the area where you live.

Always use a dedicated motorcycle insurance comparison site to get the most competitive quotes. 

Third-party

This is the cheapest and legal minimum type of insurance cover. The ‘third party’ is any person you might injure or property you might damage. You aren’t covered for injury to yourself or damage to your motorcycle. If you damage a car, the owner could claim against you. Or, if someone damaged your bike, you could claim against them.

Third-party fire and theft.

The same as third party, but it also covers you for your motorcycle being stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive

This is the best but most expensive insurance. Apart from covering other people and property from injury and damage, this covers;

• Damage to your machine
• Replacement of parts damaged in an accident
• Personal injury to yourself

Pillion passenger insurance

All policies used to include cover for a pillion passenger automatically, but now you can decide whether to have that cover included or not. You can save up to 10% by not taking out cover for a pillion passenger and, of course, never carrying one.

The cost of insurance.

This varies with:

• Your age – the younger you are, the more it will cost
• The make of your motorcycle
• The power and capacity of the engine
• Where you live

Engine-size groups for insurance purposes can vary from one insurer to another, so it pays to shop around.

Precisely what is and what isn’t insured can vary from company to company, so read the small print and ask your insurer or broker.

You’ll often have to pay the first £50 or £100 of any claim. This is called the ‘excess’.

The certificate of insurance

This is a short and straightforward document that certifies

• Who is insured
• The type of vehicle covered
• The kind of insurance cover
• The period of cover
• The main conditions

Sometimes a broker will give you a temporary certificate or ‘cover note’. This is issued while you’re waiting for your certificate and is proof of insurance.

The policy document

This contains the full details of the contract between you and the insurance company. It’s usually written in legal language. Ask your broker or the insurance company to explain any details which you don’t understand.

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Helmets

By law, you must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets sold in the UK must either

• comply with British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI kitemark or
• comply with UNECE Regulation 22.05 or
• comply with any standard accepted by a member of the European Economic Area which offers a level of safety and protection equivalent to BS 6658:1985 and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI kitemark

More on helmets and clothing