UK Licence

[jojo87]

For the UK people mainly as obviously you'd know more....

I did my CBT in 2012, and did it again in 2014 (expires next year)
I don't plan on riding anything with gears,
my Bikes mainly for pleasure so I don't need to be going down Motorways or going 100mph for example,
fastest road I go on it about 50mph,
but I do want to get rid of the L Plate and have a passenger....

So, what exactly do I need to get done....

I've never done a Car test either, only thing is the CBT,
which was obviously time in the yard doing simple laps and 8's etc,
and then inside to talk about signs and roads etc,
but obviously that isn't a 'test', you just sit and listen basically,
and then back out for a full on road with the radios,
and then done (all in 1 day)

So, what do I need to do to get a 'full' Licence,
i'm not sure whether they do it just for Automatic Bikes?
or do you have to use a geared Bike?

What are the steps?

[itcaptainslow]

First question is-how old are you? Looking at your username, the same age as me (27) but it's good to confirm...!

[jojo87]

Was 28 in January.

[YorksForzaRider]

If your happy with a 125, then it's really easy.

You need to do the bike therory test 1st.

You then need to do the module 1 and module 2 test.

For a 125 you only need an A1 licence, which, if you happy with an automatic, you can do it on your current bike. I did my module 1 on my PCX a few weeks ago, and am doing my module 2 test this week on my Forza 125.

If you've been riding a few years, you shouldn't need any extra training, just. Google the module 1 circuit( it's the same for all the tests).

Good luck !

[iceman]

The Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests are basically the same just with a different size bike - 125 through 600cc+. Sadly no one seems to have larger CC scooters due to lack of interest hence the need to learn a geared bike for more than 125cc (A1). Two work mates that have been riding on a CBT for 2 years (scooter first but soon moved to gears) have had different results taking their full test - and they booth did four day courses costing £600+!

One passed all first time, but the other failed his off-road test due to not hitting 30mph (ish) on the speed part of the test (but 2 mph!) and having passed that, failed his on-road test due to not moving to the near-side lane quick enough (a car driver was speeding and over-taking in that lane so he thought it unsafe to indicate and move across before the car passed, but he failed with this 'major' as he should have been in the nearside lane a bit earlier according to the examiner).

You can pass the on-road test with several minors but no majors - and even with lots of riding experience on A roads and dealing with london's heavy traffic, it's not a cert you will pass without training as the test is looking for any mistakes, how-ever minor they may seem to you.

[Blubayou]

Hi Jojo,

My own situation was a bit like yours. I'm over 50 with bad feet, if you ever did your CBT on a geared bike you'll know what a pain bad ankles are!

Anyway back in 2008 I think it was I took my test on my Sym Joyride 125 and unexpectedly passed!

I'm now stuck with an automatic licence (tho' in my case unlimited power / CCs, I think this has changed?) for the rest of my life.......suits me just fine!

No reason you can't take it on your own PCX, good luck on your test.

[jojo87]

Thanks guys...

I have no intensions of getting a geared Bike,
again, it's mainly for pleasure and i've already been caught twice for speeding on the 125cc,
so I don't want anything bigger, and I don't NEED anything bigger,
again, 50mph is the faster road I go on...
basically just want the L Plates off and a passenger now and then (better to go out with 2 people instead of yourself sometimes)

I wasn't sure on the whole thing though, test etc...
whether you could actually do it on an Automatic and then obviously be stuck with an 'Automatic Licence' and so on.

[ScooteringAbout]

I am in the same boat JoJo, going to talk to my testing centre later tomorrow.

[YorksForzaRider]

The 1st think to do, before looking at test centres etc, is to pass the theory test. Once passed, it's valid for 2 years. And it's also valid for all motorbike licence types. It's a computer based test on all stuff road and bike, then a number of hazard perception exercises.

It's taken in an office, and there are centres in most towns.

You book them via this link - https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test

Only once this is passed would I look at booking a module 1.

[YorksForzaRider]

Oh, I forgot to say. Worth remembering that once the Mod 1 is passed, there's no time limit on when you have to take Mod 2.

Mod 1 is riding around a circuit on a car park. Goole has what this looks like, and you can practice on any car park, take it on your own bike ( if your going for an A1 licence), so there's no reason not to pass this on your own.

If your doing the mod 2 on your own bike, you can get a days road training for around £100 from an instructor rather than paying £600 for a course, to prepair you for the test.

[ScooteringAbout]

Sounds like a really good plan, thanks Yorks! sticking with the 125cc for me, is their any tips on the theory and hazard? as heard from family it's the biggest pain over the actual practical these days.

[chigman]

Mod1 passed, Mod2 passed (A1), all on my own PCX. Like you I have no intension of ever going bigger or riding a geared bike. My PCX was bought mainly as a shuttle from my motorhome once on site for me and the Mrs to get about on.

I had a few hours training in a car park for Mod1, and a four hour session with an instructor out on the road 2 days before I took the Mod2 which cost a hundred quid. Well worth it though I can tell you. Don't think I would have passed Mod2 without the extra tuition to be honest.

[iceman]

Can any of you having now done, or taking the Mod1/2 say how much it was? The government site lists some guide prices but most other sites state tuition/mod prices combined.

[chigman]

Iceman.

Test type Weekdays Evenings (4:30pm
onwards), weekends and
bank holidays
Theory test £25 £25
Practical module 1
(off-road) test £15.50 £15.50
Practical module 2
(on-road) test £75 £88.50

I did Mod 2 on a week day, so £75.00

[YorksForzaRider]

The therory test is multiple choice, and pretty much common sense. If you've been riding a while, you should breeze it. Try this practice test, that's what I did before I took it for real - http://www.safedrivingforlife.info/take ... e-practice. Passing this gave me the confidence to book a date for the test, and part with my money.

The hazard perception bit is not to bad, you just have to remember to only click the mouse once for each hazard. It took me 4 questions to work that out, but I still managed to pass.

[iceman]

Thanks Chigman - much cheaper than the prices I've heard of.

[gn2]

Just did that test and there's a second one afterwards, scored 47/50 then 48/50
Not bad considering I haven't had any motorcycle training since 1980.

[RideLondon]

Just do your Direct Access. Price won't be very different to the A1. And if you do ever change your mind and want a bigger bike, you don't need to spend more money.

[iceman]

Just do your Direct Access. Price won't be very different to the A1. And if you do ever change your mind and want a bigger bike, you don't need to spend more money.

Prices start around £650 for a 4 day course - some are more. That's assuming you get on with gears and pass 1st time, otherwise it's more money. If you only want to ride a 125 scooter, the above suggestions seem good.

[you you]

Just did that test and there's a second one afterwards, scored 47/50 then 48/50
Not bad considering I haven't had any motorcycle training since 1980.

I'm surprised you didn't score more than 50.