Process to get a Full Motorcycle Licence

Summary Guide

CBT. Compulsory Basic Training

From age 16 you can sit your CBT on a 50cc moped, this restricts you to a 50cc Moped. From 17 and over you can sit your CBT on a 50cc or a 125cc Motorcycle, this restricts you to a 125cc motorcycle. Normal learner restrictions apply, you cannot carry a pillion passenger, you cannot ride on a motorway, and you must display L plates. Your CBT certificate is valid for 2 years. It is not a full motorcycle licence and only allows you to ride on a valid provisional licence.

Category A1. At age 17+

You must pass the theory test, have a valid CBT and pass both the MOD 1 and MOD 2 tests. You can take your test on a learner 125cc bike

Pass this test and you can just ride a 125cc - nothing above! You are now restricted to a 125cc. As you can imagine this is not a popular option!

Category A2. At age 19+

You can take your test on a motorcycle with a minimum of 395cc and a power output between 33Bhp and 46.6Bhp.

Pass this and you can ride a bike up to 46.6 Bhp, you will be restricted to this power output indefinitely and would need to sit another test to ride a more powerful motorcycle. You can restrict any motorcycle to this power so long as the original manufacturer's declared output was less than 92 Bhp. Large bikes such as Honda CBR1000, Suzuki GSX1000, Triumph Sprint etc. are not allowed. Now wait a minimum of 2 years to qualify for the next test or reach the right age bracket. You can now choose to stay on your restricted bike or take training and test in the next stage of test (A):

Category A At age 24

(Or younger if you have held your A2 licence for a minimum of 2 years): You can take your test on a motorcycle with a minimum of 595cc and a minimum of 53.6Bhp.

Pass this test, and you can ride any bike, any size, any power.

Category	Description
16 and over.	Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) on a 50cc moped and restricted to a 50cc moped if 16, 17 or over can still ride up to 125cc and 14.6bhp. Valid for 2 years. Normal learner restrictions apply you cannot carry a pillion passenger, you cannot ride on motorways. This is not a full licence and only validates your provisional moped licence.
17 and over.	Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) on a 125cc motorcycle and restricted to a 125cc motorcycle and a maximum of 14.6bhp. Valid for 2 years. Normal learner restrictions apply you cannot carry a pillion passenger, you cannot ride on motorways. This is not a full licence and only validates your provisional licence.
Category A1 Age 17 and over	If you have a valid CBT certificate, you can take your test now on a 125cc and that's what you are limited to until the age of 19, when you can train and take another test if you choose - otherwise restricted permanently to 125cc. There is no automatic progression!
Category A2 Age 19+	If you have a valid CBT certificate, you may take your test on a min 395cc motorcycle producing between 33 Bhp and 46.6 Bhp. When you pass you can ride a restricted motorcycle producing no more than 46.6 Bhp Eg. older Kawasaki ER500 or a middleweight bike that has been professionally restricted. NOT however large bikes that originally produce more than 92 Bhp - this means pretty much everything over 600cc is excluded from you that is a modern sports bike or sports tourer. Also, the power to weight ratio is set at a maximum of 0.2 Kw/Kg - this means light or smaller cc sports bikes are not allowed too.   Now wait 2 years and sit the Progressive Access test on a bike with 595cc plus and at least 53.6bhp if you are less than 24. Alternatively wait until you are 24 when you can train and take another test if you choose. There is no automatic progression to a full Category A licence!
Category A Age 24+	If you have a valid CBT certificate, you may take training and pass your test on a 595cc plus motorcycle that produces at least 53.6 Bhp. Pass your test on this and you have a licence for any motorcycle, any size, any power. This licence is also available to those under the age of 24 who have held a full A2 motorcycle licence for a minimum of 2 years.