Motorcycle License requirements

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License requirements

To ride a motorcycle on the road you must

* Be at least 17 years old (16 for a moped)

* Have a driving licence which allows you to ride motorcycles (category A)

That licence can be any of the following

* A provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement

* Full car licence. This generally provides provisional motorcycle entitlement

* Full motorcycle licence

* Full moped licence. This provides automatic provisional motorcycle entitlement if you're aged 17 years or over

Provisional motorcycle entitlement

This entitles learners to ride a motorcycle

* Up to 125cc

* With a maximum power output of 11kW (14.6bhp)

Learners who wish to ride a side-car outfit can do so with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg.

If you are not sure about any of this then you can get further advice from your motorcycle dealer or trainer.

With provisional motorcycle entitlement you must not

* Ride on motorways

* Carry a pillion passenger

* Ride without L-plates (or D-plates in Wales)

Two year limit

Provisional motorcycle licences used to have a life of 2 years. But as from 1st February 2001, motorcycle licensing rules were changed. All new provisional licences showing motorcycle entitlement issued from that date are valid until the holder's 70th birthday.

Holders of old licences can apply to have the licence replaced with one that will include provisional motorcycle entitlement valid to age 70. Replacement licences should be applied for from the DVLA using the normal application forms (available from post offices)

Existing motorcycle provisional licence holders who do not pass a motorcycle test before their provisional licence expires are NOT now subject to the 12 month wait before they can get new entitlement.

How to get a licence

If you do not already have a licence with provisional motorcycle entitlement then collect a D1 form (driving licence application) and a D750 form (photo card application) from a post office or from the DVLA (0870 240 0009). Complete the forms and send them to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLC) at Swansea.

All provisional licences now automatically include motorcycle entitlement but many post offices are still issuing the old application forms on which you had to tick the "with motorcycles" box to get learner motorcycle entitlement included.

If you want to ride a motorcycle you can ignore this section of the application form or you can tick the "with motorcycles" box just to make sure.