Learning and the Law

Source of information
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Motorcycle licence requirements
If you have a provisional motorcycle licence, you MUST satisfactorily complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. You can then ride on the public road, with L plates (in Wales either D plates, L plates or both can be used), for up to two years. During this time you MUST pass a motorcycle theory test and then a practical test to obtain your full motorcycle licence, otherwise you will need to take a CBT again, unless you have a full car licence with provisional moped/scooter entitlement, then the CBT certificate will last until your full licence expires.
Law RTA 1988 sect 97

If you have a full car licence you may ride motorcycles up to 125cc and 11kw power output, with L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), on public roads, but you MUST first satisfactorily complete a CBT course if you have not already done so.

If you have a full moped licence and wish to obtain full motorcycle entitlement you will be required to take a motorcycle theory test if you did not take a separate theory test when you obtained your moped licence. You MUST then pass a practical motorcycle test.

Note that if CBT was completed for the full moped licence there is no need to repeat it, but if the moped test was taken before 1/12/90 CBT will need to be completed before riding a motorcycle as a learner.
Law MV(DL)R 1996 reg 39(1)

Light motorcycle licence (A1): you take a test on a motorcycle of between 75 and 120cc. If you pass you may ride a motorcycle up to 120cc with power output up to 11kW.

Standard motorcycle licence (A): if your test vehicle is between 120 and 125cc and capable of more than 100 kph you will be given a standard (A) licence. You will then be restricted to motorcycles of up to 25 kW for two years. After two years you may ride any size machine.

Direct or Accelerated Access enables riders over the age of 21, or those who reach 21 before their two-year restriction ends, to ride larger motorcycles sooner. To obtain a licence to do so they are required to have successfully completed a CBT course pass a theory test, if they are required to do so pass a practical test on a machine with power output of at least 35kW. To practise, they can ride larger motorcycles, with L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), on public roads, but only when accompanied by an approved instructor on another motorcycle in radio contact.

You MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger or pull a trailer until you have passed your test.
Law MV(DL)R reg 15

Moped Licence Requirements Mopeds are up to 50cc with a maximum speed of 50 kph.

To ride a moped, learners MUST
be 16 or over
have a provisional moped licence
complete CBT training.
You MUST first pass the theory test for motorcycles and then the moped practical test to obtain your full moped licence.

If you have a full car licence you are qualified to ride a moped without L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), although it is recommended that you complete CBT before riding on the road.
Note: New car licences do not automatically have any moped/motorcycle classification on them.
Note. The following gives exemption from taking the theory test
full A1 motorcycle licence
full moped licence, if gained after 1/7/96.
Laws MV(DL)R 1996 no 2824(as amended)

3. Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements
Documents
Driving Licence. You MUST have a valid signed driving licence for the category of vehicle you are driving. You MUST inform the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) if you change your name and address.
Law RTA 1988 sect 87

Insurance. You MUST have a valid insurance certificate covering you for third party liability. Before driving any vehicle, make sure that it has this cover for your use or that your own insurance gives you adequate cover. You MUST NOT drive a vehicle without insurance.
Law RTA 1988 sect 143

MOT. Cars and motorcycles MUST normally pass an MOT test three years from the date of the first registration and every year after that. You MUST NOT drive a vehicle without an MOT certificate, when it should have one. Driving an unroadworthy vehicle may invalidate your insurance. Exceptionally, you may drive to a pre-arranged test appointment or to a garage for repairs required for the test.
Law RTA 1988 sects 45, 47, 49 & 53

Vehicle Registration Document. Registration documents are issued for all motor vehicles used on the road, describing them (make, model, etc.) and giving details of the registered keeper. You MUST notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea as soon as possible when you buy or sell a vehicle, or if you change your name or address. For registration documents issued after 27 March 1997 the buyer and seller are responsible for completing the registration documents. The seller is responsible for forwarding them to DVLA. The procedures are explained on the back of the registration documents.
Law RV(R&L)R regs 10, 12 & 13

Vehicle Excise Duty. All vehicles used or kept on the roads MUST have a valid Vehicle Excise Duty disc (tax disc) displayed at all times. Any vehicle exempt from duty MUST display a nil licence.
Law VERA sect 29

Production of documents. You MUST be able to produce your driving licence and counterpart, a valid insurance certificate and (if appropriate) a valid MOT certificate, when requested by a police officer. If you cannot do this you may be asked to take them to a police station within seven days.
Law RTA 1988 sects 164 & 165

Learner drivers Vehicles. Any vehicle driven by a learner MUST display red L plates. In Wales, either red D plates, red L plates, or both, can be used. Plates MUST conform to legal specifications and MUST be clearly visible to others from in front of the vehicle and from behind. Plates should be removed or covered when not being driven by a learner (except on driving school vehicles).
Law MV(DL)R reg 15 & sched 4

You MUST pass the theory test (if one is required) and then a practical driving test for the category of vehicle you wish to drive before driving unaccompanied.
Law MV(DL)R reg 38