Your Licence

• If you are 16 years of age you can apply for a Provisional Motorcycle licence to ride a 50cc moped restricted to 28mph.
• If you hold a Car Driver's licence you can also ride a moped at this level.
• You will have to complete the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) test first and while riding on the road you will need to display L-plates.
  
• You cannot carry a passenger and are not allowed on any motorways.
• You will need to complete the Theory Test and when you pass, you will be given a certificate to produce at the appointed time of your Practical Test, which consists of two parts.
• Part One is carried out on a closed course away from the busy roads and in Part Two you’ll be tested out on the road.
• When you pass you will hold an AM-Moped License and can discard your L-plates and carry a passenger, but motorway restrictions will still apply.
  
• You can keep on riding your moped or, at 17 years of age, go straight to the practical ‘A1’ motorcycle test.
  

17 years of age

• At 17 you can skip the Moped licence if you wish and ride a 125cc bike with L-plates.
• Once you’ve completed the CBT and Theory Test you can take the A1 practical test.
  
• Like the AM Moped test, this is in two parts, but you will be riding a 125cc machine.
  
• When you pass you will be given A1 licence status and be able to ride a 125cc machine until you are 19 years of age.
  
• Passengers are allowed and you can ride on motorways.

19 years of age

• You can apply for the A2 licence
• You will have to take your CBT and Theory test (valid for two years) if you haven’t already done so and ride with L-Plates on a 125cc.
  
• The A2 Practical Motorcycle Test takes the same format as previous AM and A1 tests and is in two parts. When you pass, it will allow you to ride a larger bike up to 35kw maximum power output.
  
• When you pass your A2 you will have to wait until you are 24 years of age before you can take your Full Category 'A' Practical Motorcycle Test.
• Passengers are allowed and you can ride on motorways.

24 years of age

• At 24 years of age you will have to take your CBT, if you haven’t already done so, and ride with L-Plates on a 125cc machine.
  
• Then you will need to take your theory test, if you haven’t already completed it previously (valid for two years).
  
• When you are ready, you can take your practical test and like the AM, A1 and A2 tests, this is in two parts.
  
• When you have passed you will hold your full category ‘A’ licence. And you’ll be able to ride a machine of any capacity, passengers are allowed and you can ride on motorways.