Whether you've just turned 17 years or thinking about learning to ride a motorbike there is every likelihood that you'll be looking to get a 125cc motorcycle to practice on before eventually getting a full licence and a bigger bike.
The benefits of a 125cc motorbike?
The joy of freedom and travel for its own sake, the pride of ownership and the thrill of riding on two wheels can all start with a 125cc motorbike. Alongside all of this there is also the major advantage of being able to negotiate traffic with such ease, no more traffic jams.
There is a wide variety of 125cc bikes available making it fairly easy to find the one most suited to you. There are scooters, motor cross/enduro style bikes, sports bikes and cruisers. 125cc motorbikes are relatively cheap to buy and maintain, and if it is well maintained and looked after it can last for years.
What do I need to do to get my 125cc licence?
Once you have reached 17 years you will need to get your provisional driving licence(category A).
- If you already have a moped licence then you will already have automatic entitlement to your provisional.
- If you already have a driving licence you should automatically have provisional motorcycle entitlement (category A).
- If you have neither of the above then you will need to get a provisional motorcycle licence application from the Post Office.
The next step will be to complete a Compulsory Basic Training Course.
Once you have completed this course you will then be entitled to ride on the public roads as a learner motorcyclist. Your bike must display L plates and you cannot ride with a passenger or use the Motorways.
Next is the Theory Test.
If you passed your moped test since July 1996 or hold a full licence for another category of motorcycle then you will not need to take this theory test.
Now the Practical Test.
Once you have completed or qualified for all of the above it will be time to take your Practical Test.
There are two test categories in this section depending on what size of bike you want to ride. If you just want to ride around on a 125cc bike then you take the category A1 test for a Light Motorcycle Licence. This licence will enable you to ride any bike up to 125cc and 11Kw and carry a passenger.
If you want to ride a bigger bike then the Category A2 Test for the standard motorcycle is the test for you.
During this test you ride a bike between 120cc and 125cc and capable of a speed of up to 62.5mph(100kpg).
Passing this this test will restrict you to riding a motorbike of up to 25kW (33bhp) or a power to weight ratio of no greater than 01.6kW/kg for two years.
After the two year restricted period your category A2 licence becomes a full category A motorcycle licence and you can ride any size motorcycle.
Accelerated Access
Once you have reached 21 and your standard motorcycle licence is still in the two year restricted bike size period (you have a category A2 restricted motorcycle licence), then the accelerated access option becomes available.
With accelerated access you take your practical motorcycle test again, but on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). If you pass the practical motorcycle test you get your full category A entitlement and can ride any size bike from then on.
If you fail the practical motorcycle test your category A2 licence remains valid.
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