Getting your motorcycle licence is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The road ahead is wide open – once you know which licence you need.
The UK's motorcycle licensing system is structured in tiers. Your age, the tests you pass, and the category of bike you want to ride all determine which licence you hold. Whether you're a complete beginner looking for your first motorcycle or a car driver who has just decided two wheels sound more appealing, this guide covers every stage from learner motorbike to full, unrestricted riding.
Each licence type has its own dedicated guide in this series. Use the links throughout to go deeper on the category that applies to you.
Start here: your provisional licence
Every rider starts in the same place: applying for a provisional driving licence. You can do this from age 15 years and nine months, and it's the first thing you need before you can complete compulsory basic training (CBT).
Apply for your provisional licence on GOV.UK.
Once you hold a provisional licence, you must complete CBT before riding on public roads. Your CBT certificate is valid for two years, and it covers you to ride as a learner motorcycle rider – with L plates, no passengers, and no motorways.
Read our full guide to the provisional licence and CBT.
The four motorcycle licence categories
Once you're ready to work towards a full licence, the category you target depends on your age and the type of riding you want to do.
Licence | What it covers |
AM licence | Mopeds up to 50cc, top speed 45 km/h. From age 16. |
A1 licence | Light motorcycles up to 125cc and 11kW. From age 17. |
A2 licence | Mid-range motorcycles up to 35kW. From age 19. |
Full A licence | Unrestricted motorcycles of any power. From age 21 (progressive) or 24 (direct access). |
The tests every rider must pass
Whichever licence category you're working towards, the same three tests apply.
Theory test
The motorcycle theory test covers 50 multiple-choice questions on the Highway Code and riding knowledge, followed by a hazard perception video section.
Book your theory test via GOV.UK.
Module 1 – off-road practical
Module 1 takes around 20 minutes in a controlled off-road environment. It tests handling and emergency skills: u-turns, slalom, figure-of-eight, controlled stops, and emergency braking at a minimum of 31 mph (19 mph for mopeds).
Module 2 – on-road practical
Module 2 lasts around 40 minutes on public roads, including a 10-minute independent ride. It starts with an eyesight check and basic maintenance questions.
Which licence is right for you?
The right starting point depends on three things: your age, what you want to ride, and how quickly you want to progress.
If you're 16 and want to ride right away, the AM licence puts you on a moped. At 17, the A1 licence opens up the full 125 motorcycle category – the traditional entry point for beginner motorcycle riders in the UK. At 19, the A2 gives you access to genuinely capable mid-range machines. At 24 – or 21 after two years on an A2 – the full A licence removes every restriction.
The progressive route through A1, then A2, then A is the most common path. Each stage builds real-world experience before you move up.
Also in this series:
Provisional Licence and CBT Explained
Ready to find your next bike?
Browse our range of new motorcycles and used motorcycles at Vertu – covering bikes for every licence category.
Our colleagues can also point you towards the Honda School of Motorcycling or BMW Rider Training for expert training support.
Once you're licensed, read our guide to motorcycle insurance.
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