Learning to ride a motorcycle

Ask any biker what they love most about riding a motorcycle and many will focus on the speed and exhilaration of travelling on two wheels. The Smart Motorcycling Guide describes riding a motorbike as ‘an addictive, hedonistic experience where your senses are assaulted and brought to life’.

But where do you start if you’ve never ridden on a motorbike before? What are the key tips when learning to ride a motorbike? In this guide, we’ll look at the motorcycle lessons on offer and other key elements of learning to drive a motorbike.

What do you need to start riding a motorcycle?

1. Provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement
2. To complete a compulsory basic training motorcycle course with a qualified instructor
3. To pass the motorcycle theory test
4. To pass both modules of the motorcycle practical test
5. Tax and motorcycle insurance

If you’re seriously considering riding a motorcycle, you will need to first check you’re legally allowed to drive (bear in mind you can drive one with a smaller engine like a moped from the age of 16, a year earlier than more powerful motorbikes) and apply for a provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement.

Once you have your licence and before you start your motorbike lessons, you’ll need to complete a compulsory basic training course (CBT) with a qualified instructor. You can find your nearest training schools for motorcycles and mopeds on the UK government website.

If you’re nervous about taking this course, try to remember that everyone else on a bike has started somewhere - often with this kind of training. Your course leader will be able to support you and is likely to have experience with many nervous, anxious and new riders.

Listen to what they’re saying and try to absorb this information.

What does the motorcycle CBT course involve?

This is normally a one- or two-day introduction to the basics of riding a motorcycle and keeping safe on the road, not a test you can fail. The learner motorbike course generally consists of checking your eyesight and then four sections:

• On-site training - The basics of the vehicle
• On-site riding - Practical training with a focus on gear, brakes and manoeuvres
• On-road training - The rules of the road
• On-road riding - A practical introduction to safe and independent riding

Once the instructor deems you have the skills to ride safely, you’ll be issued with a DL196 certificate. This confirms you’ve completed your compulsory basic training and can now ride a moped or a motorbike up to 125cc on the road with L plates (or D in Wales) without supervision.

Passing your CBT is only the first step to getting your full motorcycle driving licence. You’re now able to ride with L plates (with learner motorcycle insurance), but there are some exceptions and you legally can’t ride on motorways. You can only remove the plates once you pass your full test and have your full motorcycle licence.

To find out more about motorcycle CBT courses and licences, read our motorcycle licence types explained blog post.

What happens after passing the CBT?

It’s time to prepare for the motorcycle theory test (although you can take this before the CBT training if you prefer). The test is split into two sections:

• Multiple-choice questions
• Hazard perception (a video test about spotting hazards on the road)

You’ll have 57 minutes to answer the 50 multiple-choice questions, and 20 minutes for the hazard perception test.

The pass mark is 43/50 for multiple-choice questions and 44/75 for hazard perception. Your pass certificate number lasts for two years. If you don’t pass both modules of the practical test over this time, you will have to retake the theory test.

You have to pass your theory test before taking the practical test.

What happens in motorcycle lessons?

Whether choosing a private instructor, training course or learning with a friend or family member, motorcycle lessons are designed to help you build confidence, develop skills and master the manoeuvres you will face in both modules of the practical test.

How much are motorbike lessons?

The cost of learning to ride a motorcyle article on Motorcycle News (MCN) states: 'Obtaining a motorcycle licence is in the UK isn’t cheap: factor in £1500 for learning, and £500 for gear and you’re looking at upwards of £2000 providing you pass first time'.

It lists the following expenses:

• Approx £600 to £1,200 depending on where you live and the riding school you choose.
• £23 for the theory test.
• £15.50 for module 1 of the practical test.
• £75 (weekday) or £88,50 (weekends, evenings and bank holidays for module 2 of the practical test.
• Approx £300 to £1,000 for high-quality safety gear, depending on your budget.

What are the two modules of the practical motorcycle test?

Module 1: The off-road test

This 20-minute test takes place in an off-road motorcycle manoeuvring area and will test the following:

• Wheeling the moped or motorcycle and using the stand
• Riding a slalom and figure of 8
• A slow ride
• A U-turn
• Cornering and a controlled stop
• Cornering and an emergency stop
• Cornering and hazard avoidance

You’ll be told if you’ve passed at the end of the test. Similar to a car driving lesson, the examiner will be looking out for:

• Dangerous faults (major)
• Serious faults (major)
• Riding faults (minor)

If you avoid serious and dangerous faults and experience no more than 5 riding faults, you will have passed this module.

You’ll receive a certificate that you need to take to the module 2 test.

If you do not pass, you can book another module 1 test. You will have to pay and it must be at least three working days away. You need to pass your module 1 test before taking the module 2 test, so you may also need to rearrange the latter.

Module 2: The on-road test

Module 2 normally takes around 40 minutes to complete and comprises of the following:

• An eyesight check
• ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• Road riding - Driving on various roads and traffic conditions, under instruction from the examiner who will normally be following on their own motorcycles. They will test your ability to perform normal stops, pull out from behind a parked vehicle, and make a hill start
• Independent riding - 10 minutes where you’ll make your own decisions while following the examiner’s set route.

You’ll also be told if you’ve passed module 2 after the test, with the examiner looking for the same faults. Again, you’ll have to avoid any serious or dangerous (major) faults and have made no more than 10 riding (minor) faults to pass.

If you pass, the examiner will ask if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically. You’ll have to give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this.

You can take off the L plates and hit the road now if you so wish, but remember you need some form of cover.

Seven days of temporary motorbike insurance can let you enjoy your first taste of freedom on two wheels - and give you a week to arrange longer-lasting cover.

What are the different categories of motorcycle licence?

The practical tests are age dependent, based on the category:

• If you're aged 17 or over, you can take a test to gain an A1 licence. If you pass, this mean you can ride a bike up to 125cc without L or D plates and carry a pillion passenger.
• If you're aged 19 or over, you can upgrade to an A2 licence. This entitles you to ride any motorcycle up to 35kW and carry a pillion passenger.
• If you're 21 or over (21-and 23-year-olds must have held and A2 licence for at least two years), you can take a test for a category A licence. This will let you ride a motorbike of any size, providing you pass the practical test on a 595cc bike
• If you're over 24, you can take a test for the full motorbike licence - category A. This will let you ride a motorbike of any size.
• If you also have driving experience, you can take part in the Direct Access Scheme (DAS). This helps people who haven't ridden bikes before earn a full motorbike licence by taking into account their knowledge of the rules of the road..

You’ll have to pass a different practical test (each comprising of off-road and on-road modules) to upgrade between the motorcycle driving licences. Here's a little more info:

• AM – Mopeds with speed range of 25 km/h to 45 km/h, Small 3-wheelers (up to 50 cc and below 4 kW), Light quadricycles (weighing under 350 kg, top speed 45 km/h)
• A1 – Light motorcycle up to 11 kW and 125 cc and motor tricycles with a power output not more than 15 kW
• A2 – Standard motorcycle up to 35 kW
• A – Unrestricted motorcycles in size/power and motor tricycles with power output over 15 kW

When would I need learner motorbike insurance?

Learner motorcycle insurance lets you get some extra practice ahead of your test. If you’re using your own bike or borrowing one from a friend or family member, you’ll need this to head out on any road.

Available from 1 to 7 days, temporary learner motorbike insurance is fully comprehensive and will have no impact on the owner’s no claims policy.

Sources

https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/motorcycle-licence-requirements.html

https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-categories-ages-and-licence-requirements

https://www.gov.uk/find-motorcycle-training

https://theorytest.org.uk/motorcycle-theory-test/

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/advice/learning-to-ride/cost-of-learning-to-ride-motorcycle/