How to pass your UK motorcycle licence! CBT, A1, A2 & Full A explained | MCN news

#licences #test #motorcycle

0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Licence ages
2:22 - CBT
2:53 - Theory
3:10 - A2 & Full A
4:06 - Mod1
5:00 - Mod2

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What's your best tip for a new rider?

[francishughes]

One of the last things my instructor said to me was “Congratulations on passing your test. Now you can learn how to ride”. That has really sat with me. Every time I get on my bike (even years on) I think about it and remind myself that I need to treat every ride as a learning experience. Have fun and enjoy, obviously, but look to improve my craft as well. Too easy to think you know it all, when you really don’t, especially when newly qualified.

[dreamcrusher]

I did my CBT in 2022, and waited until 2023 to be 24 for the full A license. 3 faults on mod 2 and bought a Tracer 900 GT. It's life changing getting that license. First Wales trip last week, and off to Germany solo in July! I was shouting into my helmet after I passed, similar feeling of success to my degree!

[Alan_Anderson]

A great piece, thank you! I did my CBT at 49 as what turned out to be a very expensive dare with a friend! I was hooked and went on to do my direct access, getting my full A licence. The cost of motorcycle training is quite high, especially on top of the cost of your own equipment that you are (hopefully) going to need, so getting started in biking is not cheap in the UK. My first bike, despite having a full A licence, was an A2 compatible Honda CB500X - I cannot praise this bike highly enough, and I enjoyed riding it for about five years (and never really thinking it was slow!) until I purchased my first "big" bike - a Ducati Multistrada. I would encourage all new riders to make sure they are comfortable riding before buying a bigger bike.

The only point where I might correct your piece is on the theory test - it is different for motorcycles from cars, partly because some of the laws are different, e.g. legal minimum tyre tread depth. Small point, but may help people to understand why you must do a separate theory test for car and bike licences. Keep up the good work!

[davetaylor]

Wow Things have changed so much. In my day you rode around the block. Then tried to avoid the tester on the emergency stop. He was on foot. Then I was straight on a 600 Kawasaki. Still learning over 40 years later. Never forget bikes can bite.

[bikersquest]

I wouldn't say the theory test is exactly the same as the car one, the structure is the same but I do recall getting some more motorcycle specific questions. I used a motorcycle specific practice app to pass it not a driving one.

[ozzyprogdomino]

My first bike after I passed was a ZXR400 in 1998 (purple and black version) and I also had Suomy helmet. Good choice of bike and good advice.

[ianwarren]

Good luck with all the questions!
So many different rules depending on age and history etc.
As an old git it was relatively simple. CBT then ride a 125 for a bit then full unrestricted A license theory, hazard perception, mod1 and then 2.
Now riding a Panigale V2 😄

[jamesj-m]

I did my CBT then went straight onto a 4 day DAS course. Trained for MOD 1 and MOD 2 at the same time then tested MOD 1 in the morning and MOD 2 in the afternoon. Literally went from CBT to full A license within about 2 weeks. (I sorted my theory before hand). This was fantastic and I’m over the moon, however, you do seriously need to consider your own mentality first. This has to be the most likely way to end up dead if you think you're gonna go out and buy a litre bike straight away. You really need to understand the dangers of the bigger bikes. I am extremely thankful for the company that did mine because they made such and point of explaining and demonstrating the risks, additionally they had provided a couple hours training after we passed the tests to develop some key 'advanced' skills before they sent us of into the world.

[bammyjastard]

I've been using 125s to get to work and back for years. Redoing my cbt when it's run out. Turned 50 in Feb and decided to get on the road to a full licence 😂. Passed the theory (just!) And a couple of weeks later I passed my mod 1. Got mod 2 training in 2 days and mod 2 3 days later. Really nervous (as I was for mod 1😂) because the test site isn't in my area where I'll do the training. I'm near Stoke and mod 1 was in Shrewsbury. Just got to keep telling myself to breathe and relax into it as though its just another ride!

[Jacob]

Hi, Im from Czech Republic and Im a motorcycle instructor. We get almost the same system, but the required age is one year less (15 - AM - 45km/h), (16 - A1 - 125cc, 11kW), (18 - A2 - 35kW) (20 with 2years of A2 or 24 - A - full license). We dont have the Lplates system at all. You do your full course (full price): theory + usually 13 school hours (2 per day and at the end 3) or less when upgrading (and I can follow the learner on a bike or in a car) Then you get all exams in one day - theory test on PC at the city office: 20questions max 50points (43 to pass), then the pre-riding check, then the testing ground with 10 parts (manouvering - parking, slow straight at walking speed, figure 8 3times, slow slalom, stop and go one feet down - 4 switches and then the quick part: avoiding at 50km/h at 7m, 40km/h slalom with cones 9m apart, precision braking exactly at 17m from 50km/h and emergency braking in less then 12m from 50km/h) and then at least 20min in normal traffic (random path).. A state certified commisioner is to decide whether you passed (at the exam we always use a car to follow)..

[bob-cug]

I'm in Australia and I started riding a 1980 GSX 1000 a long long time ago now after all the fast big bikes I have owned I decided to buy a second hand Beater bike which is a FZ6N and it really is true you have more fun on a smaller bike and now it has become my go-to bike even though I have a BMW S1000RR and a Ducati Diavel absolute fun bike to ride, so you do not need a big bike after all and it took all those years and a bit of luck to find out.

[lucferblack]

If you have ridden 125cc bikes for a while you can take the tests yourself for £100. Find the big bike you want and buy it. Go on a insurance comparison site and select under licence havent passed yet. Go poundland and buy cones or bottles. get a mate who has a full licence and a motorbike to ride your bike to private land or a closed car park. layout cones as they would be on the test and practice. Slow speed work is important. bay to bay push can be done as a 3 point turn push straight back stop turn steering push forward in a half circle stop push back into other bay. A bike with abs with help on the test. When you feel confident book part one its about £15 and get the mate to ride your bike to the test. For part 2 about £75 take L plates and attach at the centre before the test. In part one every time you pull away do big shoulder checks boths sides every single time. do the same on the test. avoid filtering on the test

[burrito-town]

That’s a lot of steps! The U.S. will just about hand you a license if you have a heartbeat. There’s only one license for riding a motorcycle and getting it simply requires a weekend in a classroom, a weekend in a parking lot, and an easy multiple choice test. While I appreciate the simplicity, I wish we had more training resources available. Finding any classes in the San Francisco Bay Area is remarkably difficult.

[alanhall]

Originally had my UK bike license then had to sit it again when I moved to Canada.

Different Provinces have different rules but from what I've seen it now looks similar to your video... except for the age / capacity / power restrictions.

Theory... Testing skills with cones etc...then road test with examiner following.

If you don't sit the road test within a specific time, you have to go back and re-do the skills training.

Like most countries the level of testing has improved.

I was an instructor for a while... I'm thinking of getting my recertification and getting back into it.

Really enjoyed seeing new riders improving their skills... and having fun.

I'd always recommend good training even if your local laws don't require it.

[petewatson]

After being on a 125cc in my teens I never did pass my test, CBT was just newly out and even my dead plant could pass it. Now in my 50’s I want that two wheels freedom again, instead of the 4 wheels I have now and craved so much for then. Away next month on a DAS🤞🤞🤞

[dorianfinkelstein]

Great explanation of your experience, thanks.

[ukvamp]

I spent between £1500 to £2000 all in, that's lessons and tests and doesn't include me building up some of my own gear as well.

I failed mod 1 and 2 first time but passed both second time round.

I also didn't bother getting a 125cc to ride about on as i wanted to keep the cash for training and buying my big bike.

I was 41 at the time and did a full access course but added extra lessons as i had never ridden before which really helped.

Had so much seat time with the SV650 that i rode in training that i bought a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 for my first bike, love it!

My advice to new riders is everyone learns at different paces so give yourself extra lessons if you feel it'll help! Don't rush, even consider a 125cc for practice if you think that'll help too

[RichOe]

I got into biking at 35 in 2019, did my DAS training to get my full A licence.
Theory and Hazard Perception
CBT
MOD1 & MOD2 to get full A licence.
I fully agree with the licence restrictions and tests. Car licences should be the same. Too many young lads crash with a car full of passengers bcos they're not ready for the BHP

[BlackArroToons]

Cool to learn about what it takes for a UK M license. Thanks. In the US, the test in the early 2000s was part written, and then the road test was in a parking lot for me, a figure 8 over two parking spaces was the toughest part, but aced the test on the first try, so it's basic and easy enough with a lighter bike like my prior Ninja 250R back then. A heavy cruiser doing a figure 8 would be a challenge.