Routes To Your License

Let West London Yamaha help guide you down the right path when you start to learn riding.

If you're new to scooters and motorcycles, the UK laws about what motorcycle test you need to pass in order to ride different motorbikes and scooters can seem complicated.

Provisional License
Either included in your full car licence or as part of a provisional licence.

CBT
You must complete Compulsory Basic Training before you ride on the road.*

Theory Test
This is required even if you have a car licence. The Pass Certificate lasts 2 years.

License
If you are 16+ and you just want to ride a moped, you have the option to complete an 'AM' moped-specific licence. You will be limited to a 50cc moped & 28mph

If you are 17 and older and you want to ride larger motorcycles, you have 3 possible routes:

A1 License

Age 17+
Test Motorcycle
No sidecar / min. 120cc - max. 125cc / max. output of 11kW (15 bhp).
Passing grants a restricted Category A1 motorcycle licence. You can ride any motorcycle up to 11kW (15 bhp)†.
You can carry a passenger and use motorways and don't need L plates.
*A1 licence WILL NOT automatically convert into a full Category A2 licence, you will be required to complete a Category A2 licence test.
†Not exceeding 0.1kw/kg power-to-weight

A2 License

Age 19+
Test Motorcycle
No sidecar / min. 395cc / min. 25kW (33.0 bhp) - max. 35kW (46.6 bhp).
Passing grants a restricted Category A2 motorcycle licence. You can ride any motorcycle up to 35kw (46.6 bhp)†.
You can carry a passenger, use the motorways and don't need L plates.
*A2 licence WILL NOT automatically convert into a full Category A licence, you will be required to complete a Category A licence test.
*Upgrading from an A1 licence DOES NOT require a CBT & Theory Test re-take.
†Not exceeding 0.2kw/kg power-to-weight

A2* License

Restrictor kits will be available for these models to comply with the A2 licence category.

A License

Age 24+ (21 if upgrading from an A2 licence, with minimum 2 years experience).
Test Motorcycle
No sidecar / min. 595cc / min. 40kW (53.6 bhp).
Passing grants a full Category A motorcycle licence. You can ride a machine of any size, carry a passenger and use motorways.
*Upgrading from an A2 licence DOES NOT require a CBT & Theory Test re-take.
*Upgrading directly from an A1 licence requires a CBT and theory test re-take.

If you have a full car licence issued before 1st February 2001 you may ride a restricted 50cc moped on the road without L plates (and carry a passenger), but you still need to pass your CBT test to ride any motorcycle over 50cc.