Learn to ride with BSM
Getting started
Just as with driver training, when you’re learning to ride a bike it’s important to get the right start. Here’s a guide to the basics and the various stages you’ll need to go through when learning to ride.
Your provisional licence
Before you start learning, you’ll need a provisional motorcycle licence or a provisional motorcycle entitlement on a full car licence. The licence will depend on your age and the size and power of the motorbike you’ll be riding. At age 16 you’re entitled to ride a bike or scooter of no more than 49cc, which is restricted to 30mph. If you’re 17 or over, you can ride a machine up to 125cc and 14.6bhp. Anyone aged 21 or over can practice on a larger machine of 46.6bhp or over, but only when accompanied by a fully qualified instructor.
L plates
While you’re learning, you must display L-plates on your motorcycle. And, until you’ve passed your full licence test, you’re not allowed to ride on motorways or carry pillion passengers.
Compulsory Basic Training
Anyone riding for the first time needs to complete the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. You’re only exempt from CBT if you have a full car licence issued before 1st February 2001, which entitles you to ride a 49cc moped on the road, but even then it’s advisable to get some training before you take to two wheels. To ride anything larger or if you have a car licence issued after that date, you must take the CBT course.
CBT is usually completed in a day and covers all the basic skills you’ll need to ride safely on today’s roads. The training course provides guidance on bike controls and maintenance, covers off-road exercises and has a minimum two-hour on-road ride accompanied by a qualified instructor. When the instructor is satisfied that you’ve reached the required standard in all elements of CBT, you’ll be given a certificate, which is valid for two years. You’ll need to get the certificate before you progress to the full licence training.
Motorcycle Theory Test
All riders wanting to get a full licence must first pass the motorcycle theory test, even if you have already passed the car theory test. The theory test consists of a series of 50 questions on all aspects of riding, including a section on hazard perception. Find out more about what’s in the test and how to prepare for it in our Theory test guide.
After passing the test, you’ll be issued with a theory test certificate. Like the CBT certificate, this is valid for two years and is needed before you progress to the full licence training.
Getting a full motorcycle licence
Having completed the CBT and passed the theory test, you’ll be eligible to undertake the full licence motorcycle test. If you’re under 21, you should take your full licence test on a 125cc bike and after passing the test you’ll be able to ride any motorcycle as long as it is restricted to 33bhp. After two years, your licence will be automatically upgraded so that you’ll be able to ride any size machine without taking a further test.
The Direct Access Scheme (DAS) is available to anyone aged 21 or over. DAS allows you to get a full motorcycle licence without the two-year size restriction. You’ll have to take a test to demonstrate that you’re capable of riding higher-powered bikes. You can take the test on a larger capacity bike of 46.6bhp or over and after passing the test you’ll be entitled to ride any size machine.
