To get a motorbike licence in the UK, you normally need to get a provisional licence, complete compulsory basic training, pass the motorcycle theory test, and then pass both parts of the practical test. The category you can take depends mainly on your age and whether you use direct or progressive access.
Last reviewed 29 July 2026 by the Universal Motorcycle Training® instructor team.
What are the four steps to getting a motorbike licence in the UK?
The route is easier to understand when you treat it as four clear stages.
First, get a provisional licence. This is the starting point for the motorbike licence route.
Second, complete compulsory basic training, usually called CBT. CBT introduces the basic skills and safety awareness needed before moving further through the licence route. When you complete the training to the required standard, you receive a DL196 certificate, which lasts for two years.
Third, pass the motorcycle theory test. The theory test costs £23 and is booked separately through the DVSA. Once you pass it, the two-year period for completing both practical parts begins.
Fourth, pass the practical test. This has two parts, known as Module 1 and Module 2. You must pass both practical parts within two years of passing the theory test. If you do not, you have to start again.
For a complete beginner, the sensible first booking is usually CBT. A nervous rider, or somebody who has never controlled a motorcycle before, may prefer to begin with a two-hour Introduction to Motorcycling session before CBT.
Which motorbike licence category can you get at your age?
The UK system has four main motorcycle and moped categories: AM, A1, A2 and A. Each category has its own minimum age and machine limit.
AM is available from age 16. It covers mopeds with a speed range of 25 to 45 km/h.
A1 is available from age 17. It covers light motorcycles up to 125 cc and no more than 11 kW. This can suit a rider who wants a full licence for a smaller motorcycle rather than continuing as a learner.
A2 is available from age 19. It covers motorcycles with a power output of up to 35 kW. You can reach A2 through direct access by passing the theory and practical tests, or through progressive access after holding an A1 licence for two years and passing a further practical test.
Category A is the unrestricted motorcycle licence. Direct access is available from age 24. Progressive access is available from age 21 after holding an A2 licence for two years and passing the further practical test.
Your age does not tell you which course length you need. It only tells you which category is open to you. The amount of training depends on your existing riding experience, confidence, machine control and readiness for the practical tests.
What is the difference between direct and progressive access?
Direct access means entering a licence category as soon as you meet its minimum age and completing the required theory and practical testing for that route.
For A2, direct access is available from age 19. You take the theory test and the practical test for A2. For the unrestricted Category A licence, direct access is available from age 24.
Progressive access allows a rider to move up after gaining experience on a lower category. To move from A1 to A2, you must have held A1 for two years and then pass a further practical test. To move from A2 to unrestricted Category A, you must have held A2 for two years. This can allow access to Category A from age 21.
The direct route is often chosen by older beginners who already meet the age requirement for the category they want. Progressive access may suit younger riders who want to gain experience and move through the categories as soon as they become eligible.
Neither route removes the need to reach the required riding standard. The right choice depends on your age, the type of motorcycle you plan to ride and how much experience you want to build before moving to a more powerful machine.
What is CBT, and what is it not?
CBT stands for compulsory basic training. It is training, not a pass-or-fail test. The purpose is to develop the basic control, observation and road-riding skills needed before you continue through the motorcycle licence process.
You do not receive the DL196 certificate simply for attending. Your instructor must be satisfied that you have completed the required training safely. Some learners are ready within one training day. Others need more practice, especially if they are completely new to riding, nervous about balance or learning on a manual motorcycle.
A CBT certificate lasts for two years. It is not a full motorcycle licence, and it does not replace the motorcycle theory test or the two practical test modules.
You must wear a motorcycle helmet that meets the required safety standards. Suitable clothing matters as well because training includes practical riding and exposure to normal weather conditions.
For somebody with no previous riding experience, a two-hour Introduction to Motorcycling session can make the CBT day easier to approach. It gives you time to become familiar with the controls, basic balance and movement without trying to take in the full CBT course at once.
How long does it take to get a motorbike licence?
There is no single timescale that applies to every learner. The total time depends on how quickly you obtain your provisional licence, when you can attend CBT, how long you need to prepare for the theory test, and how much practical training you need before Modules 1 and 2.
A rider with recent experience may move through the stages relatively quickly. A complete beginner may need more time to develop smooth control, observation, confidence and consistency. Taking extra training at the beginning is often more useful than rushing towards a test date.
The main fixed deadline is linked to the theory test. Both practical parts must be passed within two years of the theory test. If that period expires before you pass both modules, you must start again.
A structured course can help you plan the process. Universal Motorcycle Training offers a six-day CBT-and-A1 complete-beginner package for riders who want a defined route from their first training through A1 preparation. This is one example of a planned course, rather than a promise that every learner will be test-ready within the same number of days.
Courses run seven days a week, which can make it easier to arrange training around work, study and other commitments.
What does it cost to get a motorbike licence?
The overall cost depends on your starting point, the category you choose and how much training you need.
A CBT with Universal Motorcycle Training starts from £205. A two-hour Introduction to Motorcycling beginner session costs £125 and can be useful before CBT if you are nervous or completely new to motorcycles.
For A1, A2 or Category A training, the full licence course prices are:
- Bronze: from £1,090
- Silver: £1,340
- Gold: £1,590
The six-day CBT-and-A1 complete-beginner package costs £1,545.
External DVSA test fees are paid separately unless a package specifically includes them. The motorcycle theory test costs £23. Module 1 costs £15.50. Module 2 costs £75 on weekdays or £88.50 during evenings and weekends.
When comparing course options, look at the training included rather than choosing only by price. A learner who already rides confidently may need less preparation than somebody starting from the beginning. Equally, booking too little training can leave you trying to learn several skills at once close to the test.
After passing, the Enhanced Rider Scheme costs £400, or £300 per person when booked with a friend. It is post-test development, so it sits outside the cost of obtaining the licence itself.
Where can you train with Universal Motorcycle Training?
Universal Motorcycle Training runs courses seven days a week across seven centres in London and the South East: Alperton, Dagenham, Croydon, Edgware, Eltham, Hoddesdon and Wimbledon.
For most beginners, booking a CBT is the practical starting point. When choosing a location, consider travel time, the course date and whether you would benefit from an Introduction to Motorcycling session first.
A nervous learner does not need to pretend to be confident. Starting with the two-hour beginner session can give you a calmer introduction to the motorcycle before the longer CBT day. The aim is to build skill in stages, not to rush through them.
What should you do after passing your motorcycle test?
Passing the practical tests gives you the licence category you trained and tested for, but it should not be the end of your development.
Newly qualified riders often benefit from further work on observation, planning, road position, cornering and dealing with unfamiliar roads. The Enhanced Rider Scheme is designed for post-test development and can help you review your riding with structured feedback.
Universal Motorcycle Training offers the Enhanced Rider Scheme for £400, or £300 per person when two friends book together. It is a separate course from the licence route and should be considered after you have passed.
What else do beginners ask about getting a motorbike licence?
Do I start with CBT or the theory test?
The four-step route is provisional licence, CBT, theory test and then the practical test. For most complete beginners, booking CBT is the clearest place to start once the provisional licence is ready.
How long does the CBT certificate last?
The DL196 certificate issued after completing CBT lasts for two years. Keep the date in mind when planning your theory and practical training.
What happens if I do not pass both practical parts within two years?
Both practical parts must be passed within two years of the motorcycle theory test. If you do not complete them within that period, you have to start again.
Which first session is best if I feel nervous?
Book the two-hour Introduction to Motorcycling session before CBT. It costs £125 and gives you time to become familiar with the motorcycle in a beginner-focused session before moving on to the full CBT course.