You can download a flowchart, which gives step-by-step instructions on how to get a moped or motorbike licence.
The candidate is responsible for bringing the right moped or motorcycle to their test for the licence category they want to get.
Check the list of motorcycles that can be used for practical riding tests
The moped category AM replaced category P from 19 January 2013. Drivers who had a full category P licence before this date will keep this category on their licence.
A learner rider can apply for their provisional driving licence up to 8 weeks before their 16th birthday. However, it:
A moped is a vehicle that has:
Anyone who passed their car driving test (category B) before 1 February 2001:
Anyone who passed their car driving test (category B) after 1 February 2001 has to take a CBT course to validate their moped rights (category P or AM). They can then:
If a car driving test is passed during the 2-year life of a DL196 certificate, the full category AM rights are confirmed. In these cases:
Riders who pass a practical test taken on a machine of 120 to 125cc/11 kW will:
Riders who pass a practical test taken on a machine of at least 395cc with a power output between 25 and 35 kW (33bhp and 46.6 bhp) will get an A2 motorcycle licence.
Riders who pass the test on a machine of at least 595cc with a power output of at least 40 kW (53.6bhp) will get a full category A licence.
There are minimum ages for people who want to ride more powerful motorcycles. These younger riders can qualify and get experience riding a less powerful machine.
Under the progressive access route, riders can access the largest motorcycle (category A) at age 21 if theyve had a full A2 licence for at least 2 years.
The candidate doesnt have to take a theory test each time they step up to the next category, as long as theyve had the lower category for at least 2 years.
ExampleIf a candidate has had a full A1 for at least 2 years, they can take the practical modules for A2 without taking another theory test first.
Riders can take a direct access route to A2 and A where they meet the minimum age requirement for that category.
A learner aged 19 years or over and who wants to get a full licence to ride medium-sized machines (sub-category A2) can do so by:
A learner aged 24 years or over can get a licence for the largest machines (category A) by:
A valid motorcycle theory test pass certificate, less than 2 years old, can be used for any motorcycle practical test which the candidate is eligible to take.
A candidate who has successfully completed CBT and got a full licence for a lower category (for example, A1) will be covered for the CBT requirements of the next categories.
Its your responsibility to check the identity of people attending CBT courses.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recommends that you should always check that the photos on photocard driving licences are valid.
If the photo has expired or is about to expire, you should tell the trainee that they:
Although old-style paper licences are still valid for a CBT course (provided that the category A entitlement is still current), DVSA recommends that the trainee should be asked to bring a valid passport to check their identity.
You may be deemed to have aided and abetted a road traffic