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Bendy |
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Bendy Mrs Sensible
Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :
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Posted: 15:17 - 23 Sep 2004 Post subject: A Duffer's Guide to Getting A Licence + Newbie Biker Links |
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As it's one of the most commonly asked questions, I thought I'd try and summarise...
First things first - you need your provisional driving licence. To get this, pick up a form from the post office, fill it in and send it to the dvla with some money. Sorted. If you already have a car licence, it should include provisional motorbike entitlement. Have a look on the papery bit and make sure.
CBT (Compulsary Basic Training).
Everyone has to complete this before you can ride a bike or ped on the road. It consists of a day, half farting around a carpark riding around cones, and half out on the road with an instructor. It's not really a 'test' as such, more just some basic knowledge to make you slightly less likely to kill yourself. It's pretty hard to fail, and not only is it a legal requirement, it's also a bloody good idea.
You can find your local CBT place in the yellow pages - ring them up and have a chat. A CBT usually costs around £60 - £100 and can include hiring one of their bikes for the day, plus helmet and gloves if you don't have them yourself.
Be aware that you can take your CBT on a scooter (automatic) or a geared bike, so think about what you intend to do in future - may as well do it on a geared one if you have any intention of ever riding something other than a scooter, although the certificate is valid whether you went auto or gears.
You are 16 years old.
If you are 16 and have completed your CBT, you can ride a 50cc, restricted to a top speed of 30mph, bike with L plates. Note that this doesn't *have* to be a moped, there are geared 50cc bikes out there as well. If you intend to get a geared 125 when you hit 17, might as well get the practice in now.
You are 17 or older.
If you are 17 or over and have completed your CBT, you can ride up to a 125cc bike with L plates, provided the bike is restricted to make no more than 14.6 horsepower - that's why you'll often see 'learner legal' being thrown around in adverts.
While you are on L plates you cannot take passengers and you cannot ride on motorways.
FULL LICENCE
[edit=g]This is now out of date thanks to the EU 3rd driving licence directive thingy - we will try and get it updated soon - while you're waiting, have a search as there's plenty of info on this forum.[/edit]
More paperwork first. You need to make sure you've done your theory and hazard perception test before you can do your full motorbike test. These can be booked through the DSA site (www.dsa.gov.uk). Doesn't matter if you've done it before for your car licence, you have to do it again for your bike.
Riders under 21 years of age.
Because you are young and therefore irresponsible, you have 2 choices of test that you can take - the A1 and the A (restricted).
The A1 licence allows you to ride a bike up to 125cc / 14.6bhp. So basically lets you get rid of the L plates, but that's all. Fairly pointless really.
The A (restricted) licence is what you want. You'll sit this test on a 125cc bike, and when you pass it allows you to ride any bike you like providing it is restricted to 33bhp. Yes, you can restrict an R1 to 33bhp if you want to.
After 2 years of riding at 33bhp, you are free to ride any power of motorbike you like.
Riders 21 or over.
Once you're 21, you can of course do either of the 2 options above if you want to, but you also have the option of sitting your Direct Access (DAS) test.
This test will be taken on a bike of at least 46.6bhp (usually a commuter 500) and when you pass you're allowed to ride anything you like - there is no restriction period.
If you reach the age of 21 during your 2 year restriction from sitting your A (restricted) test then you can dive in and do a DAS test to get rid of the restriction - this is called Accellerated Access.
TRAINING
Not going to go into massive detail here, but presuming you've set out to get your full bike licence, there are essentially 2 ways to go about it:
L plates
Get yourself a little cheap bike, whack the L plates on it and spend some time getting used to riding. Book a few lessons with an instructor to brush up on the fine points of the test if you like, or just teach yourself.
Intensive
Don't bother buying a 125, book yourself in for several days intensive training with your test at the end of it. Some people get this confused with DAS but there's no reason you couldn't do it for your restricted licence. Though, to be fair, this option is better for people who already have some road experience as you spend your time learning about riding the bike, not learning about which lane you're meant to go in at roundabouts.
Be aware that if you're doing DAS, you can only ride the 500cc bike with L plates when you're with an instructor. So the intensive route is usually the way to go.
PRACTICAL TESTS
Since April 2009 the practical test has been split into 2 'modules'.
Module 1 is called Specified Manoeuvres.
This is the offroad manoeuvres section of the practical test. This test involves pushing the bike into a bay backwards, a slalom, a figure of 8, high speed avoidance ('swerve'), u-turn, slow riding behind examiner and an emergency stop.
Avoidance and emergency stop are both high speed manoeuvres, to be performed at 50kph/32mph. This is why Module one has to be performed at the offroad test centre.
Module 2 is called the Road Riding Test.
It's basically just normal road riding with a hill start and an angled start.
You go out, the examiner follows you and tells you where to go over the headset.
It takes around 40-45mins, it includes the eyesight test ('read me that number plate there'), and the 'show me, tell me' questions (eg. 'Show me how you would check that the lights are all working on this vehicle' 'Tell me how you would check the oil level on this vehicle')
Up to date questions are available here
They should all be common sense, you will usually be asked one 'show me' and one 'tell me' from the list.
Module 1 currently costs £10, and Module 2 £70 (£82 evenings and weekends).
You must pass Module 1 before you can take Module 2. Both modules require a valid CBT certificate and Theory test pass.
More info on the new test from the DSA here: https://www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=405
FIRST BIKE
We've said it before and we'll say it again... it's really best not to spend too much money on your first bike. There's a fair chance you're going to drop it and there's also an element of not knowing what you want (how can you, you've never ridden anything before?).
You can pick up a boring and unattractive 125 with tax and mot for about £500 if you're smart and look in the ads. Use it for a few months, look after it and you can probably sell it without making a loss. It really is the smart thing to do - you're in this for the long term so don't blow all your cash at the first stage. Money saved on the learner bike can be put towards passing your test and think how much cooler you'll look without L plates.
Last edited by Bendy on 13:32 - 11 Aug 2009; edited 2 times in total |
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Bendy |
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Bendy Mrs Sensible
Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :
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Posted: 17:55 - 23 Sep 2004 Post subject: |
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BlueNinja |
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BlueNinja Trackday Trickster
Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 12:55 - 18 Dec 2004 Post subject: |
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Absolutely top posts there! thanks for the info! |
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kawakid |
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kawakid World Chat Champion
Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :
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bench9 |
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bench9 L Plate Warrior
Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Karma :
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Jayman |
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Jayman Derestricted Danger
Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :
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sandman |
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sandman L Plate Warrior
Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Karma :
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cunni |
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cunni Spanner Monkey
Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 13:57 - 28 Jul 2005 Post subject: |
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Some information for after you pass you test!
How to Stay Safe and Ride Fast!
Check out this link for Riding Tips and Advice. Many people have commented on how useful it has been to them! ____________________ TL1000R Parts For Sale! |
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keti |
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keti Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 19:35 - 08 Aug 2005 Post subject: |
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Whoa, really informative post there - cheers! Is there any chance of anyone pointing me in the direction of some info about insurance? I.e. what things they take into account, what they mean by insurance bands, e.g. what does an NU11 band equate to in money terms? Very confuzzled!
____________________ .: when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro :. |
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Bendy |
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Bendy Mrs Sensible
Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :
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Adam.I |
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Adam.I World Chat Champion
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Karma :
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Gimboid |
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Gimboid L Plate Warrior
Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 03:27 - 20 Sep 2005 Post subject: |
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enrique86 wrote: | Does that really work Bendy, playing one company against the other? Well done on the information, but I just have a quick question; as I'm 19 and five months I can take the A1 license(?), and once I pass that, I can instantly take the Accelerated Access as I will be 21 within them two years, is this right? |
The Practical Test for the A1 and A (Restricted) are identical, there really is no point anymore in taking an A1 test, and Im not sure if you can go for Accelerated Access from a A1 licence.
Basically the A1 licence came into play before this restriction lark, and served for people who just wanted rid of their L plates on their 125, since you can now do a restricted test on a 125, which later becomes a full licence, theres no reason for anyone to ever take an A1 test.
You can only do the Accelerated Access ONCE you've hit 21.
Example:
1) At 16 you get a CBT, at 17 you do your theory and A (restricted) Licence, you can now ride a bike up to 33bhp (250cc ish, or bigger bike with restriction kit fitted), two years later (When your now 19) your licence becomes fully un-restricted, and you can ride any motorcycle. This is the only way to get a full motorcycle licence by the age of 19-21
2) At 20 you Get a CBT, do your Theory and take your Restricted A licence, at 22 your two year restriction runs out, and you are then able to ride any size motorcycle
3) At 20 you Get a CBT, do your theory and take your Restricted A licence, at 21 you go to the DSA on a Big Bike (average 500 commuter bike) from a training centre, and take your "Accelerated Access" test, this test, is... identical to a normal 21yr old taking an Class A test. you are then licenced to ride any size motorcycle. |
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NSR_KID |
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NSR_KID Renault 5 Driver
Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 22:10 - 20 Nov 2005 Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info ____________________ If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button |
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bidman |
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bidman Crazy Courier
Joined: 01 Oct 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 13:35 - 05 Dec 2005 Post subject: |
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Just to let you know incase its confusing some people the DSA have now decided to call the restricted licence (33bhp) the A2
Dan ____________________ Don't ride it, RAG IT!! |
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MattyB |
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MattyB Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Karma :
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Posted: 18:41 - 05 Jan 2006 Post subject: |
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thanks for the links, i learnt alot |
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critical_technique |
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critical_technique Nova Slayer
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samomighty |
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samomighty Scooby Slapper
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Groove |
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Groove World Chat Champion
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 14:53 - 03 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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CBT was inculded in my 4 day course
Mine cost £455 with test, 4 days, bike hire etc
Test isnt hard if your capable and have listned well I got 3 minors ____________________ || Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk |
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syl |
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syl World Chat Champion
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samomighty Scooby Slapper
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need4speed |
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need4speed Derestricted Danger
Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Karma :
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Fadel |
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Fadel Trackday Trickster
Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Karma :
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Posted: 16:41 - 28 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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Derestrict a CBR to 33BHP?
You can buy restrictor kits for alot of bikes but I have also heard this isn't always the best thing to do as it could run rich / lean and cause problems not 100% sure though but yea you can |
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Dragonfly |
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Dragonfly Super Spammer
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derbisenda16 |
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derbisenda16 Nitrous Nuisance
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Fadel |
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Fadel Trackday Trickster
Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Karma :
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Posted: 15:02 - 15 Apr 2006 Post subject: |
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Erm..... Ya don't say |
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