Motorbike Licence Explained
Navigating the bikes you can ride
Navigating the world of motorbike licences can be more complex than dealing with car licences. With cars, you either have a licence, a provisional licence, or none at all. For bikes, it’s a bit different. Below is a handy guide to help you understand the various motorbike licences.
At MotoFinance, we know our lenders' requirements for Licences inside and out. We can walk you through what your current Licence status means for your finance options. This should help answer common questions like, "What bike Licence do I need?" or "Can I get finance without a bike Licence?"
Provisional Licence
Before you can start your bike training, you need a provisional licence. If you’ve never driven before and don’t have a car licence, you’ll need to apply for a provisional licence through the Direct Gov website. If you already have a car licence, it usually includes a motorcycle provisional licence—just check the back of your licence to confirm. Unlike a car provisional licence, a motorcycle provisional licence doesn’t allow you to start riding right away; you must first complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course.
Provisional Licence + CBT
CBT stands for "Compulsory Basic Training," and it’s required before you can begin motorcycle lessons or ride with L plates. The CBT is available to anyone with a provisional licence (or a car licence with provisional motorcycle entitlement). Once you complete your CBT training, you’ll receive a CBT Certificate, which is valid for two years. With this certificate, you can ride a 125cc motorcycle with L plates.
A1 Licence
You can obtain an A1 licence starting at age 17. While it doesn’t lift many of the restrictions imposed by the CBT, it does allow you to ride a 125cc motorcycle without L plates. To earn an A1 licence, you’ll need to pass both a theory test and a practical test (Mod 1 and Mod 2) on an A1-compliant bike. With an A1 licence, you can carry a passenger and ride on motorways—privileges not available with just a CBT. However, many riders choose to stay with a CBT until they’re eligible for an A2 licence.
A2 Licence
The A2 licence is available from the age of 19 and restricts you to bikes with a power output of no more than 35kw. To obtain an A2 licence, you must pass a theory test and complete both Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests on an A2-compliant bike. While you can’t ride the most powerful bikes with an A2 licence, after two years, you can upgrade to a Full A Licence without waiting until you’re 24.
A Licence (Full Licence)
The A Licence, also known as the "Unrestricted" or "Full" A Bike Licence, is the highest level of motorbike licence. You can take the direct access route to this licence starting at age 24. With a Full A Licence, you’re not restricted by the size or power of the motorcycle you can ride. Alternatively, you can obtain a Full A Licence at age 21 if you’ve held an A2 licence for at least two years, following a progressive route.
The Bike Finance Experts
The MotoFinance team specialise in motor finance, and specifically motorbike finance. We know the industry inside out and are best placed to help you on your journey from a no obligation quote through to getting the keys and the bike on the road.
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Representative Example: Borrowing £4,500 over 48 months with a representative APR of 22.9%, the annual interest rate of 22.9% (Fixed), and a deposit of £0.00, the monthly payment would be £138.94. The total cost of credit would be £2,169.12, and the total amount payable would be £6,669.12.
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