Current bike test, can anyone explain?

[Billy Balthorpe]

Ok, 2 sinarios,

One for a 17 year old with 12 months road experience on a 50cc scoot (but lots off road).

One for a say, 25 year old.

I need to know what they can ride after passing what test.

I'm pretty sure that as long as the 25 year old has passed his CBT he can go for direct access and be able to ride what he likes. But what if he goes through the tests, whats the form?

My lad will be 17 in Feb and will be spending the bare minimum on a 125 (good old CG 125) and getting onto something a bit bigger as soon as he can, so whats the form there?

Thanks people.
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[Pete.]

Currently, at 17 he does the restricted license test on a 125 and then has a 2-year restriction of 33hp.
At 25 a person could go that route or could do the direct access test on a bigger bike and have no restriction.

Plans are afoot to change all that and make the tests more tiered and require more of them to advance, so if he has the opportunity - get the test done now!
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[J.M.]

At 25 do DAS on a bike with atleast 46bhp. After passing you can ride whatever you like.

At 17 you pass the test on a bike (75cc+ I think, must be capable of 62mph, max 125cc) and then are restricted to 33bhp (25kw, there's also a power-weight ratio for restricting bikes) for 2 years, after which your restriction automatically ends and you can then ride whatever you like unrestricted.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Billy Balthorpe]

Cheers mate, i have been getting a bit confused over people saying they are looking for a 25KW bike, is that 33bhp then?
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[Billy Balthorpe]

Thanks Jordan, so, after passing his test on a 125 and waiting 2 years on a 33BHP bike, he can ride anything?? No further tests on the 33 BHP bike?
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[J.M.]

Nope, no further tests. After 2 years the restriction just ceases to exist and he can jump on whatever bike he can afford to insure

https://www.best-motorcycle-information.com/image-files/motorcycle-licence-routes.gif
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[SirToU]

Hi, easy.

17 YO. CBT passed-125 for 2 years must re-take CBT
17 YO. CBT passed. Take DAS. Pass test, ride any bike but must be limited to 33bhp (equivalent of 250cc) for 2 years - then any bike.

25 YO. CBT passed - valid for 2 years on 125 retake CBT.
25 YO. CBT passed. DAS passed on 125, 33bhp limit for 2 years.
25 YO. CBT passed. DAS passed on +33bhp, any bike available.

This is how I understand it. Hope this helps.

Neil

[Pete.]

[Billy Balthorpe]

A2 Test???
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[J.M.]

[Billy Balthorpe]

OK thinking about it, an A2 test is probably the same as the Direct access test but at the end of it you can only ride a 33bhp bike instead of any bike, yes?
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[J.M.]

From what I understand, yes. Except on the DAS the bike must have a minimum of 46bhp.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Beelzebob]

Look at the top of this section mate there are sticky notes at the top which cover all this. First note, first post, says:

[Teflon-Mike]

To get a motorcycle licence yo have to get four bits of paper.

1/ CBT Certificate
2/ Theory/Hazard Perception Test (for M/C) Pass Certificate
3/ Module 1 'Practical' off-road manouvers test, Pass Certificate
4. Module 2 'Practical' on-road riding test, Pass Certificate.

Same for whatever 'CLASS' of licence or test route you go for.

Four Classes of Classes of licence exist.

A1
'Light-Bike' Up to 125cc 11Kw maximum power to weight limit as Learner-Legal 125.
A2
NOT currently issued by UK Licence Agency though term often used, to describe
A - with 2 year 25Kw Restriction Endorsement
Lets you ride any bike, of any capacity, provided it is complient with restriction regulations; and makes less than 33bhp (25Kw) and is under maximum power to weight limit. May be 'naturally' 33bhp complient; ie as it comes from the factory, like say a 14bhp Honda CB250N Super-Dream, or 'Restricted' from a bike over 33bhp, like a 45bhp GS500, with restricion applied after-market as a modification, usually restrictor chokes placed into the carburettor mounts.
After two years from endorsement date, restriction lapses automatically to become full unrestricted A entitlement.
A
Full UK Motorcycle Entitlement - allows you to ride any bike, of any capacity, any power and any weight, meeting Construction & Use & Road Traffic Act regs.

A2 does not currently 'exist', it comes into force via EU harmonisation directives, January 2013, and will allow for a motorcycle up to 45bhp, and not restricted from a bike of more than 90Kw. Along with variouse other changes.

AT THE MOMENT.

You can test for A1 or A (restricted) at 17 years old.

You test for A (restricted) on a 'qualifying' machine more than 120cc less than 125, and on DSA approved 'Standard Bike' list, as meeting specified performance criteria.

As said; two years from pass date; restriction endorsement ends and licence becomes FULL unrestricted 'A' entitlement without any further tests or red-tape. You dont even need to send your licence to DVLA to get the endorsement removed, though many do, becouse its often confusing to coppers to see an restriction endorsement, and asking them to read, and count at the same time can be vexing for them.....

If you test on a NON qualifying machine; one less than 120cc, or not on DSA approval list, you are doing the 'Light-Bike' test; for A1 licence group entitlement; restricting you (indefinitely) to a 11Kw 125 machine. But no need to display L-Plates and you can go oin motorways etc.

If you are over [b]21[/b[ you are eligible to test via DAS, which is same test regime, only three proviusions exist:

1/ you may ride a bike over 45 bhp on the public road, on L-Plates, subject to normal L-Plate restrictions (no pillions, no motorways etc), ONLY under radio supervisioon of qualified and DSA approved DAS Instructor for the porposes of 'training'.

2/ you may take BOTH Mod 1 & Mod 1 'Practical' motorcycle tests on machine over 45bhp. (appropriately taxed, insured and presented in roadworthy condition, in accordance with all other road law)

3/ Passing BOTH Mod tests on 'DAS' qualifying motorcycle, entitles you to full unrestricted A licence group, withoiut any restriction endorsement, straight away.

THAT is the 'System' as it stands.

As from Jan 2013 (subject to Whitehall Beurocratic chenanagins!) System HAS to change to meet EU 3rd Directive licence harmonisation regulations.

BASIS of the new regime is that you have to test on a machine 'indicative' of licence entitlement you are applying for.

Idea is at the moment; passing test on a CG125 and gaining licence that lets you ride a Hyabusa is like letting some-one take thier pilots licence in a Sesna and letting them loose with a Tornado Jet!

So; we get the three licence groups;

A1 as is now; 125 'only' licence
A2 (new) Indefinite 45bhp restriction
A Full unrestricted entitlement

BUT; query remains over the detail of the A1 test requirements, but likely that they current 'Standard' bike regs will apply and you will HAVE to take test on a full 125 machine.

You will still be able to do it at 17 though, BUT that is ALL you will be able to do at 17.

To test for A2 licence, you will have to be 19 years old. The 'Test' will be to DAS rules and you will have to take it on a bike over 400cc and less than 45bhp (not many of them around) And again, you will be able to ride one under radio supervision, on 'L's but you wont be able to ride one other wise until you have passed A2 test. And as said, the 45bhp restriction will be indeifinite.

To test for full 'A' group; you will have to have held the A2 entitlement a minimum of two years, OR have reached the age of 24 to take tests under DAS rules; which in effect apply to A2 as well. Ie radio superviusion until qualified; testing on bike meeting performance criteria for class.

So, all but A1 125 only licences are going to pretty much demand expensive DAS type training.

Under 24's will be penalised becouse if they want a full licence they have to do it twice; once to get A2, then again to get full A.

And because so few teenagers bother with formal training at the moment; and because of the costs, to 'only' get half a licence; schools dont anticipate a huge demand for A2 training.

Consequently; due to cost to maintain a double fleet of DAS bikes for A2 and full A, and the general 'hassle' of it all; few are gearing up to offer A2 courses at ANY price......

Further hampering teh teenager wanting to get on and 'do it right'!

SO suggestion to your lad IS, get on and DO in a hurry before new laws come into force.

Coundown is currently running now at just under 14 months until changes; enough time if you are dedicated to get on and get it done, to current rules AT 17 years old on a 125, and gain an A (2 year 33bhp Restricted) licence, before next year's out, and be sitting pretty at 18 years old when his year-mates are stuck looking at another year on a 125 before they can even DO a test to get on anything bigger....... AND hassle and expense of DAS style supervised big bike training.
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