UK motorcycle licence guides
Which licence you need, what you are allowed to ride on it, how the tests work and what the whole thing costs. Written in plain English, with every age limit, power limit and official fee taken from GOV.UK.
Start with the right guide
CBT
The one-day course almost every new rider starts with. What happens on the day, what you can ride afterwards and how long it lasts.
From age 16AM licence
The moped licence. What a 16-year-old can legally ride, what the full AM test adds, and when it is worth waiting for A1 instead.
From age 17A1 licence
The 125cc licence. What A1 allows, how the theory and two practical modules work, and how it feeds into A2 two years later.
From age 19A2 licence
The 47bhp licence. Power and weight limits, restricted bikes, the direct route at 19 and the progressive route from A1.
From age 21 or 24Full A licence
The unrestricted licence. Direct Access at 24, progressive access at 21, the test machine requirements and what to buy first.
BudgetLicence costs
Every fee from provisional licence to full pass, plus training, kit, insurance and the costs nobody warns you about.
Motorcycle licence categories compared
Every UK motorcycle entitlement, with the minimum age, the machine limits and the route to get it.
| Category | Name | Minimum age | Engine | Power | How you get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | Moped | 16 | Up to 50cc | Up to 4kW, 45km/h (28mph) | CBT, theory test, practical test |
| A1 | Light motorcycle | 17 | Up to 125cc | Up to 11kW (15bhp), 0.1kW/kg | CBT, theory test, practical test |
| A2 | Standard motorcycle | 19 | No capacity limit | Up to 35kW (47bhp), 0.2kW/kg | Direct at 19, or progressive after 2 years on A1 |
| A | Unrestricted motorcycle | 24 direct, 21 progressive | No capacity limit | No power limit | Direct access at 24, or progressive after 2 years on A2 |
Motorcycle licence FAQ
What licence do I need to ride a motorbike in the UK?+
Do I have to take a test to ride a 125?+
How long does CBT last?+
What is the difference between A1, A2 and A?+
How much does a motorcycle licence cost?+
About these motorcycle licence guides
These guides explain the UK motorcycle licensing system as it actually works: which category you qualify for at your age, what you are allowed to ride on it, how the tests are structured and what the whole thing costs. Every age limit, power limit, test requirement and official fee is taken from GOV.UK and was last checked on 23 July 2026.
Once you know which category you are aiming for, browse 125cc bikes, mopeds and scooters or used motorbikes from 141 UK dealers and private sellers. For buying and ownership advice, read the Riders Zone.
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