Pro Tip: You will need to wear a SHARP-certified motorcycle helmet to ride a moped, motorcycle, trike, or EPAC. Shop your first motorcycle helmet here. 

How to get a motorcycle license in the UK?

The minimum age for getting a motorcycle license in the UK is 16 years. The type of British motorbike licence you can get depends on your age, the bike you want to ride, your current motorcycle licence (if any), and the theory/practical tests you have passed so far. 

Let’s look at the process of getting your first motorcycle license. 

AM Mopeds Licence: Age 16 or Above or People with a Car Licence

If you are at least 16 or have a car license, the Government allows you to ride a moped with L plates, but the moped can’t be more than 50cc and should be below 4kw. You can also carry a pillion passenger if you have completed theory and passed practical tests. 

This is called an AM mopeds licence. 

Here is what the step-by-step process will look like for you at the age of 16. 

1. Complete CBT and get a provisional license.

1. With this, you can ride a moped under 50cc, but you can’t take a pillion passenger. 

2. After CBT, pass the theory test and get a certification. 

3. Pass a 2-part practical test under 50cc and below 4kW. 

4. Now, you can also take a pillion passenger with you. 

If you are older but you have never ridden a bike, and you have a car license, you only need a CBT certificate to ride a moped up to 50cc. You can get a CBT certificate in one day. 

Car licence also works as a provisional licence for motorcycles. Ask your instructor for more details. 

A1 Light Motorcycle Licence: 17 Years or Above 

If you are at 17 or above, you can ride any motorcycle up to 125cc and not exceeding 11kW without L plates and carry a pillion passenger with an A1 Light Motorcycle licence. 

Here is a step-by-step process for getting an A1 light motorcycle license. 

1. Complete CBT and get a provisional license.

2. After CBT, pass the theory test and get a certification. 

3. Pass the 2-part practical test on a bike between 120 cc and 125 cc and not exceeding 11kW. 

4. Now, you can ride any motorcycle up to 125cc and not exceeding 11kW without L plates and take a pillion passenger with you. 

For a rider, the only eligibility difference between an AM moped licence and an A1 light motorcycle licence is age. Otherwise, the process is the same. 

A2 Motorcycle Licence: 19 Years or Above 

If you are 19 or older, you can get an A2 motorcycle licence. You can ride any motorcycle not exceeding 35kW with an A2 licence. 

In terms of engine size or cc, the motorcycle will be approximately under 500cc. 

This is a step-by-step process for getting an A2 motorcycle licence. There can be three starting points for an A2. 

Without any Licence

• Get CBT training and a provisional licence. 

• Pass the theory test and get a certificate 

• Pass a 2-part practical test on a bike at least 245cc and between 20kW and 35kW. 

• Get an A2 licence and ride any motorcycle not exceeding 35kW. 

With an A1 Licence Held for Less than 2 Years 

• Pass the theory test and get certified. 

• Pass a 2-part practical test on a bike at least 245cc and between 20kW and 35kW. 

• Get an A2 licence and ride any motorcycle not exceeding 35kW. 

Full A1 Licence Held for 2 Years

• Pass 2 part practical test on a bike at least 245cc  and between 20kW and 35kW - you must pass module 2 within 6 months of passing module 1.

• Get an A2 licence and ride any motorcycle not exceeding 35kW. 

Category A Motorcycle Licence: Age 21-23

You need to be at least 21 to 23 years old to get a category A motorcycle licence. 

You can ride a motorcycle of any size with a category A motorcycle licence. 

If you have had full A2 licence for more than two years, you can get category A licence by passing the 2-part practical test on a motorcycle of least 595cc and at least 50kW with a minimum kerb weight of 180kg - you must pass module 2 within 6 months of passing module 1.

If you don’t have a full A2 licence, you can’t ride a category A motorcycle. All you can do is wait until you turn 24. 

When you have held a full A2 licence for more than 2 years, you can get a category A motorcycle licence by passing a 2-part practical test. 

Category A, Full Motorcycle Licence: 24 Years or over

You can ride any motorcycle with a category A full motorcycle licence. You can ride with a pillion passenger and on the motorways too. 

There are four ways to get a category A full motorcycle licence. 

No full A1 or A2 licence:

• Get a CBT certificate if you don’t have it already.

• Pass motorcycle theory test. 

• Pass 2 part practical test on a motorcycle at least 595cc and at least 50kW, with a minimum kerb weight of 180kg

• Get a Full A motorcycle licence. 

With Full A1 Licence:

• Pass the motorcycle theory test 

• Pass 2 part practical test on a motorcycle at least 595cc and at least 50kW, with a minimum kerb weight of 180kg

• Get a Full A motorcycle licence. 

Full A2 licence held for less than 2 years: 

• Pass the motorcycle theory test. 

• Pass 2 part practical test on a motorcycle at least 595cc and at least 50kW, with a minimum kerb weight of 180kg

• Get a Full A motorcycle licence. 

Full A2 licence held for more than 2 years: Pass a 2-part practical test on a motorcycle at least 595cc and at least 50kW with a minimum kerb weight of 180kg - you must pass module 2 within 6 months of passing module 1.

You can ride any motorcycle of your choice with a Full A licence.

Cost of Motorcycle License UK

The cost of a motorcycle license varies depending on the licence type and the route you take to obtain it. 

Here is a brief overview of the costs of different types of motorcycle licences in the UK. 

• UK Provisional Licence Cost= £34 (or £43 via post)

• CBT Training/Certificate Cost= £130-£170

• Motorcycle Theory Test Cost= £23

• Motorcycle Practical Test Module One Cost= £15.50

• Motorcycle Practical Test Module Two Cost= £75 (£88.50 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays)

• A1 Licence Course Cost= £400-£600

• A2 Licence Course Cost= £500-£1,100

• Direct Access Course = £690-£1,150

Please note that the costs can change at any time. Please make sure to check with relevant authorities to confirm the latest fees and costs before proceeding.

Motorcycle License Plate Size UK

DVLA UK determines motorcycle number plate sizes, specs, and details. Here is a brief overview of the most important rules & regulations regarding the number plates. 

British motorcycle number plates have black text on a yellow background. 

• Registration information can be over two lines if your bike was registered after September 1st, 2001. 

• Registration information can be over three lines if your was registered before September 1st, 2001.

• It is illegal to have all text in one line on a motorcycle licence plate. 

• Licence plates need to be made with reflective material without any pattern in the background. 

• Legally required to show the postcode and name of the number plate supplier. 

• Flat 3D effect fonts and some flags are allowed.

• Motorcycle licence plate size is not regulated but the letters are. The registration characters must be 64mm in height with width of 44mm. 

• Standard UK motorcycle licence plate size is 230mm x 178mm.  

• You only need a rear motorcycle number plate if your motorcycle, tricycle, or moped was registered after September 1st, 2001. 

• You can have a side-mounted number plate as long as it meets the visibility criteria. 

• You can have a personalised motorcycle number plate in these formats.

• 2 letters + 2 numbers + 3 letters (e.g., AA90 XYZ)

• 1 letter + 1 to 3 numbers + 3 letters (e.g., A2 AAA, A21 AAA, A213 AAA)

• 3 letters + 1 to 3 numbers + 1 letter (e.g., AHX 1A, AHX 11A, AHX 111A)

• 1, 2, or 3 letters/numbers in different combinations (e.g., ARF 1)

125cc Motorcycle License UK

In the UK, you can ride a 125cc motorcycle with a power output of up to 11kW licence with an A1 licence. You need to be at least 17 years old. 

You can also ride a 125cc motorcycle with a car licence, but you can’t take it to the road. You’ll need a CBT and provisional license to ride your 125cc on the road. 

Click here for more information on applying for a provisional motorcycle licence. 

You’ll need to pass theory and practice tests to carry a pillion passenger and ride on the motorways. 

If you are above 24, you can directly apply for a full motorcycle licence. Get a provisional motorcycle licence, CBT certificate, and theory test, and pass the practice test to get the Full A motorcycle license. You can ride any bike with a Full A licence. 

3 Wheel Motorcycle License UK

The type of licence you need depends on the power of your motor tricycle. 

You can ride trikes up to 15kW with an A1 licence. You need to be at least 17 years old for an A1 licence. 

For a trike of more than 15 kW, you’ll need a Full A licence. You need to be at least 24 years old for a Full A licence. 

You’ll first need to get a provisional licence and CBT certificate to pursue any certificate.

Electric Motorcycle License UK

All electric vehicles, including motorcycles, need a licence. 

The legal term for these vehicles is EPAC (Electrically assisted pedal cycle). 

Licence rules for electric motorcycles are similar to other motorcycles, mopeds, and tricycles. 

You’ll need a CBT and provisional licence to ride electric mopeds under 28mph. 

For an electric motorcycle with a top speed of over 28mph, you’ll need a valid CBT or a full motorcycle licence. These vehicles are classified as L3e-A1. 

However, some EPACs (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles) do not require a license if they meet specific criteria (e.g., maximum power output of 250W).

UK Motorcycle License in the USA

Your UK motorcycle licence is valid in the USA for up to three months. You’ll also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a tourist visa. 

You’ll also need valid insurance to ride a motorcycle in almost all states in the USA. Friends and family or motorcycle rental companies can help you with that. 

FAQs

Is Indian motorcycle driving license valid in UK?

You can ride a motorcycle in the UK using your Indian motorcycle driving licence for a year. You can also use an International Driving Permit. 

How to get a full motorcycle license uk?

Apply directly for a full motorcycle license if you are above 24. Get a CBT and provisional license, pass theory and practice tests and get your full motorcycle license. 

If you have held an A2 motorcycle license for more than two years and you are above 21, you can get a full motorcycle license by passing the 2-part practice test. Read more about it above. 

What is the penalty for riding a motorcycle without a license UK?

You can get a penalty of up to £1,000, 3 to 6 points on your motorcycle license, or even imprisonment in severe cases. 

Can I buy a motorcycle without a license UK?

You can buy a motorcycle in the UK without a license but you can’t ride it until you have the right license and valid insurance. You will need at least third party insurance. 

Can I insure a motorcycle without a license uk?

You can get temporary insurance coverage when you are still learning. Temporary insurance coverage is often comprehensive .

For electric motorcycles, read our guide on electric motorcycle insurance in the UK. 

Is it hard to pass a bike test in the UK?

It is not very hard to pass a bike test in the UK. If you take proper training and spend some time on theory, you will most likely pass your bike test for a license on the first attempt. 

How long does it take to get a motorcycle license UK?

The time it takes to get your motorcycle license depends on the type of license you want. However, if your aim is to ride your motorcycle as soon as possible, you can do that with a CBT + provisional license. 

Can you go straight to an A1 license?

Yes, you can go straight to an A1 license if you are 17 or older. However, you’ll need to get a CBT, pass a theory test, and complete a two part practical test. 

How to apply for motorcycle license UK?

The process starts with a provisional license. Use this link to apply. After that, you will need to pass CBT. 

What age can you get a motorcycle license UK?

You need to be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle license/moped license in the UK. 

Do I need to take a motorcycle theory test if I have a car licence?

Yes, you will need to take a motorcycle theory test, as riding a motorcycle is significantly different from driving a car. 

Do I need a provisional motorcycle licence if I have a full car licence?

Usually, you don’t need to apply for a provisional motorcycle license if you have a full car license. Your car license serves in place of a provisional license. 

What motorcycle can I ride on a car licence?

You can ride a moped under 50cc on a car license in the UK. 

Can I ride an electric motorcycle on a car licence?

You can ride an electric moped under 11kW (equivalent to 50cc), but you must be at least 17 years old and have a CBT. 

What is a full motorcycle licence?

A full motorcycle license allows you to ride any bike with or without a passenger on any public road, including motorways.