Usually yes, if you want to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc, maximum 11kW, on L plates from age 17. A full car licence only lets you ride a 50cc moped without CBT if you passed your car test before 1 February 2001. If you passed on or after that date, you need CBT for a moped. CBT does not allow motorways or pillion passengers.
Last reviewed 9 July 2026 by the Universal Motorcycle Training® instructor team.
A full UK car licence is useful, but it does not automatically give you the right to ride a motorcycle on the road. The rules depend on when you passed your car test, what you want to ride, and whether you want to ride as a learner or move on to a full motorcycle licence.
At Universal Motorcycle Training, we are often asked: ‘Do I need CBT if I already have a car licence?’ The short answer is usually yes, unless you only want to ride a small moped and you passed your car test before 1 February 2001.
Do you need CBT if you have a car licence?
A full UK car licence on its own does not let you ride a motorcycle on the road. If you want to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc as a learner, you will normally need to complete Compulsory Basic Training first and ride with L plates.
There is one well-known exception. If you passed your full UK car test before 1 February 2001, you may ride a moped up to 50cc without taking CBT. Even then, training is still strongly recommended, especially if you have not ridden before or you have been away from two wheels for many years.
What counts as a moped or motorcycle?
For licensing purposes, a moped is not the same as a 125cc motorcycle. A moped is usually up to 50cc and limited in speed. A 125cc scooter or motorcycle is treated differently and normally requires CBT if you are riding on L plates.
This is where many car licence holders get caught out. They assume that because they can drive a car, they can ride any small scooter. That is not correct. The date you passed your car test matters, and so does the size and category of the machine.
Do you need CBT if you passed your car test before 1 February 2001?
If you passed your full UK car test before 1 February 2001, you may ride a moped up to 50cc without completing CBT. You should still check your actual licence record before riding, because your licence must be valid and show the correct entitlement.
Although CBT may not be legally required for that moped entitlement, it is still a sensible step. Riding a moped is not the same as driving a car. You need to understand balance, road positioning, junction safety, braking, observations, protective clothing and how vulnerable riders can be in traffic.
If you want to ride a motorcycle or scooter above 50cc, such as a 125cc learner motorcycle, the pre-2001 moped rule does not cover you. You will need CBT and the correct provisional motorcycle entitlement.
Do you need CBT if you passed your car test on or after 1 February 2001?
If you passed your car test on or after 1 February 2001, you must complete CBT before riding a moped on the road. Once you have completed CBT, your moped entitlement may allow you to ride a 50cc moped without L plates, depending on your licence position.
If you want to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc, you must complete CBT and ride with L plates as a learner. You cannot carry a pillion passenger and you cannot use motorways while riding as a learner.
What can you ride after completing CBT?
After completing CBT, most learner riders can ride:
- a moped if they are 16 or over, subject to the correct licence entitlement
- a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc and up to 11kW if they are 17 or over
- on public roads while displaying L plates, unless a specific moped entitlement says otherwise
Your CBT certificate is called a DL196. It normally lasts for two years. If it expires before you pass a full motorcycle test, you must take CBT again or stop riding as a learner.
If your CBT is due to expire, our CBT renewal course can help you keep riding legally while you decide whether to continue on L plates or work towards a full licence.
CBT is training, not a pass or fail test
CBT is not a pass or fail test in the same way as a driving test. It is a structured training course. You complete each part in order, starting with an introduction and basic safety checks, then moving to practical machine control, on-site riding, road briefing and an on-road ride when your instructor is satisfied that you are ready.
You only receive the DL196 certificate when you have reached the required standard and can ride safely enough to continue as a learner. Some riders complete CBT in one day. Others need more time, especially if they are nervous, have never used a geared motorcycle, or need more practice with balance and control. That is not unusual. The aim is safe riding, not rushing through the day.
When is CBT not enough?
CBT lets you ride as a learner within the permitted limits. It does not give you a full motorcycle licence.
To ride larger motorcycles, carry a pillion passenger or use motorways, you need a full motorcycle licence. Depending on your age and the motorcycle you want to ride, that could mean A1, A2 or Category A. Riders aged 24 or over often choose DAS full motorcycle licence training if they want to work towards an unrestricted Category A licence.
A full licence requires the correct training route, a motorcycle theory test, Module 1 and Module 2 practical tests. CBT is usually the first step, but it is not the final licence.
Common mistakes car licence holders make
- Assuming a car licence covers a 125cc bike: it does not, unless you also have the right motorcycle entitlement and have met the CBT or full licence requirements.
- Forgetting the 1 February 2001 rule: the pre-2001 exception applies to mopeds up to 50cc, not 125cc motorcycles.
- Thinking CBT lasts forever: a DL196 certificate normally lasts two years.
- Buying a bike before checking the licence: always check your licence entitlement before buying, insuring or riding a machine.
- Leaving renewal too late: if your CBT expires, you cannot continue riding as a learner until you complete CBT again.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need CBT to ride a 125cc if I have a full car licence?
Yes, in most cases. A full car licence does not, by itself, allow you to ride a 125cc motorcycle on the road. You normally need provisional motorcycle entitlement, a valid CBT certificate and L plates.
Can I ride a 50cc moped on a car licence?
If you passed your car test before 1 February 2001, you may ride a moped up to 50cc without CBT. If you passed on or after that date, you must complete CBT before riding a moped on the road.
Can I carry a passenger after CBT?
No. If you are riding as a learner on L plates, you cannot carry a pillion passenger. To carry a passenger, you need the correct full motorcycle or moped licence entitlement.
Can I ride on the motorway after CBT?
No. Learner riders on L plates cannot use motorways. To ride on motorways, you need a full motorcycle licence for the category of motorcycle you are riding.
Book CBT with Universal Motorcycle Training
If you have a car licence and want clear advice before getting on two wheels, we can help you choose the right next step. We provide CBT and full motorcycle licence training at our seven centres across London and Hertfordshire: Alperton, Croydon, Edgware, Eltham, Wimbledon, Dagenham and Hoddesdon.
To check availability, ask a licence question or book your training, please contact Universal Motorcycle Training. We will help you understand what you need before you ride.