#licences #test #motorcycle
Our Videographer Joseph has gone from never riding a motorcycle, to having an A2 licence in less than two years. In our latest video, he talks you through his bike test experience using BMW’s Rookie to Rider program. Read more here: www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/offers/Rookie-to-Rider.html
0:00 – Intro
0:44 – Licence ages
2:22 – CBT
2:53 – Theory
3:10 – A2 & Full A
4:06 – Mod1
5:00 – Mod2
BMW Rookie2Rider:
https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/offers/Rookie-to-Rider.html
Gov/DVSA PDF:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62137c89d3bf7f4f05879a1e/how-to-get-a-motorcycle-licence.pdf
We’d love to hear your views so get them down in the comment section!
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35 Comments
What's your best tip for a new rider?
I am about to go to school to become a Riding Instructor .
Hi, I'm from Florida in america. I'm 18 years old. I just bought a Ducati panigale v4s off of the showroom floor. No license needed. I'm not going to bother getting a license. That's too much effort. Better to just grip it and rip it.
I'm sure every single turn out A okay. Florida doesn't require motorcycle insurance. More money saved!
The UK cares about young riders. In the States, no restrictions exist. At least not in the early 70's. At 15.5 years old I had my motorcycle licence and a brand new 1973 Norton 850. What a beyond awesome thrill. My training was on 450cc two stroke motocross bikes so the power to weight ratio experience was somewhat similar. I survived, the Norton did not. Had to buy a 74 to replace it. Wish I still had it. Did the UK restrictions exist in in the early 70's?
1:47 I am 48 years old and have had a full driving licence since 2007, as I understand it after the CBT & theory I only need to take one practical 2 part test to be able to ride ANY bike. As I already have a full driving licence which included taking a theory test does that mean I don't need to take it again? Is that right?
One of the last things my instructor said to me was “Congratulations on passing your test. Now you can learn how to ride”. That has really sat with me. Every time I get on my bike (even years on) I think about it and remind myself that I need to treat every ride as a learning experience. Have fun and enjoy, obviously, but look to improve my craft as well. Too easy to think you know it all, when you really don’t, especially when newly qualified.
Cbt riders will need to do their theory test to ride with L plates soon.
You will do the mod 1 and mod 2 together in the same day soon.
So if you get into riding at 17 in the UK you would need 3 ? Or 4? Bikes to graduate through the licenses before you could end up with a big bike/bike you may wanted from day 1? Who passed these laws.. Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki/Suzuki.. Etc 😁
You have a Great Bike.
What's the cheapest way to get to A2?
I got into biking at 35 in 2019, did my DAS training to get my full A licence.
Theory and Hazard Perception
CBT
MOD1 & MOD2 to get full A licence.
I fully agree with the licence restrictions and tests. Car licences should be the same. Too many young lads crash with a car full of passengers bcos they're not ready for the BHP
Hi, Im from Czech Republic and Im a motorcycle instructor. We get almost the same system, but the required age is one year less (15 – AM – 45km/h), (16 – A1 – 125cc, 11kW), (18 – A2 – 35kW) (20 with 2years of A2 or 24 – A – full license). We dont have the Lplates system at all. You do your full course (full price): theory + usually 13 school hours (2 per day and at the end 3) or less when upgrading (and I can follow the learner on a bike or in a car) Then you get all exams in one day – theory test on PC at the city office: 20questions max 50points (43 to pass), then the pre-riding check, then the testing ground with 10 parts (manouvering – parking, slow straight at walking speed, figure 8 3times, slow slalom, stop and go one feet down – 4 switches and then the quick part: avoiding at 50km/h at 7m, 40km/h slalom with cones 9m apart, precision braking exactly at 17m from 50km/h and emergency braking in less then 12m from 50km/h) and then at least 20min in normal traffic (random path).. A state certified commisioner is to decide whether you passed (at the exam we always use a car to follow)..
It seems as though the UK has a much better and comprehensive training program then here in Australia 🇦🇺
Its been many years since I passed my introduction into motorcycles but I do know a little about the training here. Its quite good and isnt easy to pass, but from what I understand nothing as comprehensive as you have in the UK. Thank you for the video and good luck in your riding future 👍
I've been using 125s to get to work and back for years. Redoing my cbt when it's run out. Turned 50 in Feb and decided to get on the road to a full licence 😂. Passed the theory (just!) And a couple of weeks later I passed my mod 1. Got mod 2 training in 2 days and mod 2 3 days later. Really nervous (as I was for mod 1😂) because the test site isn't in my area where I'll do the training. I'm near Stoke and mod 1 was in Shrewsbury. Just got to keep telling myself to breathe and relax into it as though its just another ride!
I did my CBT in 2022, and waited until 2023 to be 24 for the full A license. 3 faults on mod 2 and bought a Tracer 900 GT. It's life changing getting that license. First Wales trip last week, and off to Germany solo in July! I was shouting into my helmet after I passed, similar feeling of success to my degree!
Wow Things have changed so much. In my day you rode around the block. Then tried to avoid the tester on the emergency stop. He was on foot. Then I was straight on a 600 Kawasaki. Still learning over 40 years later. Never forget bikes can bite.
Is funny where Im from, you can just take the MSF on a 250cc then go buy a Superbike, an H2 or a Hayabusa. Personally I rode a Honda Rebel 250 for 2 years and moved on to a CBR600F4i. Currently eyeing a Ducati V2, a CBR1000rr or an S1000rr since I recently went through an advanced rider course.
After being on a 125cc in my teens I never did pass my test, CBT was just newly out and even my dead plant could pass it. Now in my 50’s I want that two wheels freedom again, instead of the 4 wheels I have now and craved so much for then. Away next month on a DAS🤞🤞🤞
Ride safe 👍, But please remember, no motorcycles should be Green or yellow 🤮
I spent between £1500 to £2000 all in, that's lessons and tests and doesn't include me building up some of my own gear as well.
I failed mod 1 and 2 first time but passed both second time round.
I also didn't bother getting a 125cc to ride about on as i wanted to keep the cash for training and buying my big bike.
I was 41 at the time and did a full access course but added extra lessons as i had never ridden before which really helped.
Had so much seat time with the SV650 that i rode in training that i bought a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 for my first bike, love it!
My advice to new riders is everyone learns at different paces so give yourself extra lessons if you feel it'll help! Don't rush, even consider a 125cc for practice if you think that'll help too
Originally had my UK bike license then had to sit it again when I moved to Canada.
Different Provinces have different rules but from what I've seen it now looks similar to your video… except for the age / capacity / power restrictions.
Theory… Testing skills with cones etc…then road test with examiner following.
If you don't sit the road test within a specific time, you have to go back and re-do the skills training.
Like most countries the level of testing has improved.
I was an instructor for a while… I'm thinking of getting my recertification and getting back into it.
Really enjoyed seeing new riders improving their skills… and having fun.
I'd always recommend good training even if your local laws don't require it.
That’s a lot of steps! The U.S. will just about hand you a license if you have a heartbeat. There’s only one license for riding a motorcycle and getting it simply requires a weekend in a classroom, a weekend in a parking lot, and an easy multiple choice test. While I appreciate the simplicity, I wish we had more training resources available. Finding any classes in the San Francisco Bay Area is remarkably difficult.
A great piece, thank you! I did my CBT at 49 as what turned out to be a very expensive dare with a friend! I was hooked and went on to do my direct access, getting my full A licence. The cost of motorcycle training is quite high, especially on top of the cost of your own equipment that you are (hopefully) going to need, so getting started in biking is not cheap in the UK. My first bike, despite having a full A licence, was an A2 compatible Honda CB500X – I cannot praise this bike highly enough, and I enjoyed riding it for about five years (and never really thinking it was slow!) until I purchased my first "big" bike – a Ducati Multistrada. I would encourage all new riders to make sure they are comfortable riding before buying a bigger bike.
The only point where I might correct your piece is on the theory test – it is different for motorcycles from cars, partly because some of the laws are different, e.g. legal minimum tyre tread depth. Small point, but may help people to understand why you must do a separate theory test for car and bike licences. Keep up the good work!
Not to sure but I think you have to pass a motorcycle theory test before you do anything. May be wrong.
I'm in Australia and I started riding a 1980 GSX 1000 a long long time ago now after all the fast big bikes I have owned I decided to buy a second hand Beater bike which is a FZ6N and it really is true you have more fun on a smaller bike and now it has become my go-to bike even though I have a BMW S1000RR and a Ducati Diavel absolute fun bike to ride, so you do not need a big bike after all and it took all those years and a bit of luck to find out.
I wouldn't say the theory test is exactly the same as the car one, the structure is the same but I do recall getting some more motorcycle specific questions. I used a motorcycle specific practice app to pass it not a driving one.
Or even a helmet……have you booked your funeral ?
My first bike after I passed was a ZXR400 in 1998 (purple and black version) and I also had Suomy helmet. Good choice of bike and good advice.
Good luck with all the questions!
So many different rules depending on age and history etc.
As an old git it was relatively simple. CBT then ride a 125 for a bit then full unrestricted A license theory, hazard perception, mod1 and then 2.
Now riding a Panigale V2 😄
Will/has MCN endorsed the proposed changes to the licence?
The UK bike licensing is the epitome of everything wrong with this country (along with battery/electric cars). It's embarrassing that anyone could have even come up with this nonsense.
It's not AI we should fear, but the fact there is little human intelligence.
The diagram shown in this video reminds me of the 'Swing' when designed by various departments.
Theory test is the same style as the car one, obviously the questions are motorbike specific.
Jesus H Christ this is mind boggling, I got my sports moped at 16, my 250 at 17………passed my test (took about 40 minutes)……signed up for a new Honda 750 at 18……
Still here aged 63, sorry but I just think this is overkill, at 18 if you’ve done enough training you should be able to ride anything. Insurance will be the limiting factor, maybe this is why when I rock up to bike meets they’re mainly old farts like me riding GS’s and Tiger 1200’s.
Great video, so helpful
Cool to learn about what it takes for a UK M license. Thanks. In the US, the test in the early 2000s was part written, and then the road test was in a parking lot for me, a figure 8 over two parking spaces was the toughest part, but aced the test on the first try, so it's basic and easy enough with a lighter bike like my prior Ninja 250R back then. A heavy cruiser doing a figure 8 would be a challenge.