The driving licence rules, vehicle categories and age limits for learning to ride a motorbike or moped changed on 19 January 2013.

Once you get your provisional licence, must get a compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate to ride on public roads. You must take and pass the theory and practical tests in 2 years. If you don’t pass both parts of your practical test within 2 years of taking theory test, then you’ll have to start the process again.

Check what vehicles you can drive and the training you'll need.

Motorbikes

If you want to ride a motorbike you first need to get a provisional driving licence and complete CBT.

There are different categories of motorbike - you’ll need to get the right entitlement on your licence and be old enough to do so.

Mopeds

The way moped entitlements are shown on your licence have changed, but you still need to be 16 to ride one.

The rules are different if you already have a car driving licence.

Motor tricycles

Provisional category B car licences and provisional category A licences now only cover you to ride motor tricycles if you have a physical disability. Driving tests for 3-wheeled vehicles are only available for physically disabled drivers.

If you’re not physically disabled and want to ride a motor tricycle you’ll now need to get the right provisional entitlement and complete CBT.

You'll need a full category A1 motorbike licence to ride motor tricycles up to power output 15kW, and a full category A motorbike licence to ride trikes with a power output more than 15kW.

Once you've completed CBT you have 2 years to pass your full motorbike theory and practical tests or you’ll have to complete CBT again.

Learning to ride

When you're learning you need to have the right provisional driving licence.

If you're using your own vehicle you'll need to make sure it:

• has a valid V5C registration certificate (log book)
• is taxed
• has an MOT (if needed)

You'll also need adequate motor insurance.

Official Driving Standards Agency (DSA) guides

You can buy the official DSA guide to learning to ride and the DSA guide to riding - the essential skills.

Taking the full motorbike tests

All riders have to pass the theory test before taking the motorcycle practical test.

Enhanced rider scheme

Once you’ve passed your motorbike test you can take the enhanced rider scheme. It checks your riding skills and provides training to help you improve. You can get discounts on motorbike insurance if you successfully complete the scheme.

More information

For step-by-step instructions on how to get a moped or motorbike licence, see DVLA’s Routes to your motorcycle licence flowchart.

If you held a motorbike or moped licence before 19 January 2013 then you’ll keep your existing entitlements and can still ride the same kind of bikes as you did before.

However, if you get a new licence your entitlements may be shown differently.

You’ll have to follow the new rules if you want to get higher entitlements - eg ride a larger motorbike.

Mopeds

Changes to moped categories

If you’re already licensed to ride a moped your driving licence will show as category P.

The new rules won’t affect you, but any new licences issued to you will show categories AM and Q, as well as category P. This means you will also be allowed to ride 2 or 3-wheeled mopeds with a top speed of 50 km/h.

Car driving test passed before 1 February 2001

You don’t need to take compulsory basic training (CBT) to ride a moped if you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001. You’ll still need to complete CBT to ride a motorbike, however.

Car driving test passed from 1 February 2001

You need to take CBT to ride a moped if you passed you car driving test from 1 February 2001.

However, you won’t need to take further theory and practical tests or take CBT again.

Motorbikes

If you're already licensed to ride a motorcycle, your licence should show category A. This will be the same if you renew or replace your licence after 19 January 2013.

Motor tricycles

If you hold category B1 entitlement (trikes and quads), when you renew or replace your licence after 19 January 2013 it will show categories B1 and A. The A entitlement will be limited to tricycles and you won’t be able to ride motorbikes you weren’t previously allowed to.

Provisional licences now only cover you to ride motor tricycles if you have a physical disability. Driving tests for 3-wheeled vehicles are only available for physically disabled drivers.

Able-bodied drivers who want to ride motor tricycles need to pass CBT and the theory and practical tests on a 2-wheeled motorbike.

Read about the rules for the motorcycle theory test and practical riding test.

Helmet

You must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets sold in the UK must comply with at least 1 of these:

• British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI (British Standards Institution) Kitemark
• UNECE Regulation 22.05
• 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

If you need glasses or contact lenses to read a number plate at the prescribed distance, you must wear them when you ride.

Visors and goggles

If you wear a visor or goggles when you ride, your visors or goggles must comply with either:

• a British Standard and displays a BSI Kitemark
• a European standard which offers a level of safety and protection at least equivalent to the British Standard and carries a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark (ECE 22-05)