What License?

[S99]

Hello,

I have a question regarding what license I have (Sounds stupid I know) but, I have my CBT and last year I rode a 50cc (at 16). Now, I'm 17 and am looking for a 125cc bike (Note: I still only have my CBT).

I was looking for insurance quotes for a bike I've found and it asks for my type of license and I am not sure weather it is a 'Provisional Moped' or 'Provisional Bike' license. I have searched on other sites and can find no information which would indicate which license I have so I've turned to the forums for advice. Remember I currently only have my CBT.

Another question I have is, Since I'm 17 - What would be the cheapest and most efficient way of doing my bike test?

Thanks.

[Rogerborg]

You now have provisional A1. The CBT doesn't give you any new category, it just validates any provisional A entitlement (AM, A1, A2, A) that you have due to your age.

But if the insurer doesn't distinguish between various sub-A provisional categories (and they won't) then "provisional bike / motorcycle" is the closest to the truth.

Sadly, the rules changed in 2013. Your only option at 17 (or 18) is to get an A1 license to ride the same 125 that you can ride on your provisionaL entitlement. You don't get any better option until you hit 19.

Most people won't bother doing A1 but (inB4 Tef) it's not a totally worthless license. You can lose the L plates, take a pillion and use motorways. It saves you having to do another CBT, and if you don't already have a car license it starts the clock ticking on your 2 year "new driver" period.

Best news is that you can do A1 on your own 125. You need to book motorcycle theory and then module 1 and module 2 tests yourself. There's nothing complicated in any of them and you can self-teach yourself anything you'll need to know using free online resources.

Really up to you.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[M.C]

Feel sad youngsters are restricted to 125's, what was wrong with the old system

I agree with Rogerborg that it's better to do your tests than re-do your CBT, Mod 1's cheap enough (£15) and gives you experience if you go for your big bike licenses later on. Mod 2 costs more (£75-88) but in total with your theory test (£23) comes in around the price of a CBT course.

Only other thing to consider is that I believe (from threads on here) that if you go for your A2 license at 19 and you haven't held an A1 license for 2 years, you still need a valid CBT, theory pass etc. So in other words if you turn 19 and are chomping at the bit to get your A2 license, you might end up having to do your CBT again anyway.

[S99]

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

Sort of. There's no "progressive" access from A1 to A2, but (depending who you ask) getting any A subcategory licence permanently validates provisional entitlement for any A category, so the whole process is:


At 17 or 18, you can do A1. You need a theory pass within the previous 2 years, and a CBT done within the previous 2 years.

At 19 to 23, you can do A2. You need a theory pass within the previous 2 years even if you have A1. You either need a CBT done within the previous 2 years, or to have A1 (or technically AM).

At 24, or at least two years after passing A2, you can do A. You either need a theory pass within 2 years, or to have passed A2 at least 2 years previously (I know that doesn't make sense). You either need a CBT done within the previous 2 years, or to have any other A subcategory license (AM, A1, A2).

It's not designed to be simple, it's a Frankensystem dreamed up by Brussels and gold plated in Whitehall. But none of the actual tests are particularly hard and it is worth it at the end.

Costs are as M.C said. Getting an A1 license on your own 125 costs about the same as re-doing your CBT. If you have the time available, I'd go for the license.

The benefit is that the following A2 and A tests when you get to them are exactly the same. The difference is that you'll do them on a bigger, more capable bike, so they'll actually be easier.

Again, that makes no sense, but welcome to bike licensing.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[arry]

And getting the countdown vying on new driver act 2 years is a good shout.

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

Cheerfully corrected[*]. The 3DLD itself only provides for progressive access from A2 to A, but you're right, we've invented an A1 to A2 progression.

As with A2 to A, the only thing it allows skipping is the theory test, since we require full practical tests to get A2 or A.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/977/schedule/3/made