The Law

Before you can ride a motorcycle on the road you must comply with certain legal requirements which fall into two categories

• Those with which YOU must comply
• Those with which your MOTORCYCLE must comply

The topics covered are

• Provisional driving licences
• Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
• Types of full licence
• Vehicle documents
• Insurance
• Helmets

The Provisional Driving Licence

To ride a motorcycle on the road you must

• Be at least 17 years old (16 for a moped)
• Have a driving licence which allows you to ride motorcycles (category A)
• Have a valid DL196 certificate,(CBT)

That licence can be any of the following

• A provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement
• Full car licence. This automatically provides provisional motorcycle entitlement
• Full moped licence. This provides automatic provisional motorcycle entitlement if you're aged 17 years or over

Provisional motorcycle entitlement

This entitles learners to ride a motorcycle

• Up to 125cc (17yrs & over)
• With a maximum power output of 11kW (14.6bhp)
• You must have a valid DL196 certificate (CBT)

With provisional motorcycle entitlement you must not

• Ride on motorways
• Carry a pillion passenger
• Ride without L-plates (or D-plates in Wales)

How to get a licence

If you don't already have a licence with provisional motorcycle entitlement then collect a D1 form ( driving licence application ) and a D750 form ( photocard application ) from a Post Office or from DVLA ( 0870 240 0009 ). Complete the forms and send them to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre ( DVLC ) at Swansea.

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Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

Please see our CBT section for full details.

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Types of Full Licence

There are three types of full motorcycle licences to aim for.

1. Category P - moped.
2. Category A1 - light motorcycle licence - to receive this you must take and pass your test on a motorcycle with an engine size over 75cc but not more than 125cc
   • a power output of not more than 11kW (14.6 bph)
   • a maximum speed of not more than 100 kph (62.5 mph)

   You will now have full licence entitlement on any motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp). This licence is intended for riders of C90s and similar who don't intend to ride anything bigger. It will not become an unrestricted category A licence after two years. If you take a test on a C90 or similar then you will have to take another test to ride anything bigger than a 125cc, 11kW bike with a maximum speed of over 100kph (62.5mph).

3. Category A - standard motorcycle licence - (aka A2) - this is what you'll obtain if you pass your test on a motorcycle over 120cc but not over 125cc and is capable of more than 100 kph (62.5mph). With this licence you are entitled to ride a motorcycle up to 25kW (33 bhp) and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kw/kg.

   There is no restriction on engine size (cc) so you can now ride a bike bigger than a 125cc. There are plenty of bikes around in the 125cc to 400cc range that produce no more than 25kW (33bhp). You can ride any cc bike as long as a restrictor kit has been fitted to it to restrict the power output to 25kW (33bhp). Any approved motorcycle mechanic will fit a restrictor kit for you and give you the necessary documentation to prove it is legal for your type of licence. After two years you simply have the restrictor taken off.

   You have three main options to choose from

   1. Do the CBT, buy an 11kW (14.6 bhp) 125cc bike (probably 2nd hand for about £700) and get a bit of practice on the roads with L plates, take and pass your theory test, then go back to the training centre to do some pre-test training. Then take and pass (hopefully) the Restricted Access Tests and sell or trade in your 125, and get a 33bhp bike or higher and have a restrictor kit put on it for about £150. After 2 years you can ride any bike.
   2. Just do CBT. Take and pass your theory test, do some pre-test training and tests within a couple of weeks all on the training centre's bike. Then, if you pass the Restricted Access Tests first time, you buy a bike up to 33bhp or over and have a restrictor kit put on it. After two years you may ride any size and power of motorcycle without taking another test.
   3. If you're 21 or over, or if you reach 21 within the 2 year period, there are quicker ways of obtaining entitlement to ride a more powerful bike. They are called the Direct Access Scheme (DAS) and the Accelerated Access Scheme (AAS). For information regarding these please go to "Further training".

   If your practical test is passed on an automatic motorcycle the full licence gained will be restricted to automatic bikes only.

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   Vehicle Documents

   The Registration Document (VRD)

   This contains details of your motorcycle

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

   It also gives your name and address.

   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 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.

   Vehicle excise duty

   Also known as the 'vehicle licence' or 'road tax'. You must display the 'tax disc' on the vehicle.

   You can get the vehicle licence application form at any post office and most main post offices can accept your application.

   The fee varies with engine size. The classes are

   • Not over 150cc
   • Over 150cc up to 400cc
   • Over 400cc up to 600cc
   • All other motorcycles

   When you apply to renew your vehicle excise licence you must produce

   • A vehicle test certificate (MOT) if your motorcycle is three years old and over
   • A valid certificate of insurance
   • An excise licence renewal form

   Older motorcycles

   Motorcycles registered before 1st of January 1973 are exempt from tax but should display a tax free (historic) disc.

   The vehicle test certificate (MOT)

   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.

   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 mostly on your age, the size of the bike and the area where you live. One of the UK market leaders for motorcycle insurance is Bennetts. To get an online quote please click on the banner below. You can save the quote they give you so you don't have to complete the form again if you go back later.

   If you don't want to fill in any forms at the moment, you can see other people's quotes at Owners Quotes and you can help this excellent site to grow by submitting your own quotes when you get them.

   Types of insurance

   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 motorcycle 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 automatically include cover for a pillion passenger but now you can decide whether to have that cover included or not. You can, apparently, 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.

   Exactly 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 simple document which certifies

   • Who is insured
   • The type 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.

   Keep the cetificate safe and produce it

   • If the police ask you
   • When you apply to renew your vehicle excise licence

   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. Unless of course you are a Sikh and wear a turban, all helmets sold in the UK must:

   • Comply with British Standard BS 6658 or the newer UN ECE 22.05 mark of approval

   For full details about motorbike riding, please visit the Driving Standards Agency website, www.dsa.gov.uk/bikes.asp

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