What you can ride with A1

With a full A1 licence, you can ride a light motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc, with power up to 11kW and a power-to-weight ratio up to 0.1kW/kg. Unlike CBT, A1 is a full licence category. Once you have passed both practical test modules, you can ride without L-plates, carry a pillion passenger if the motorcycle is designed for one, and use motorways.

The A1 category stays on your driving licence. It is not a two-year learner certificate like CBT.

Official sources: GOV.UK motorcycle test vehicle categories, GOV.UK CBT rules, The Highway Code rule 85, The Highway Code rule 253.

Who it is for and minimum age

The A1 course is for riders aged 17 or over who want a full licence for a 125cc motorcycle or scooter. It is suitable if you want to remove L-plates, carry a pillion passenger, use motorways, or gain a full licence while staying on a smaller machine.

It can be a sensible route for riders who use a 125cc for commuting, delivery work, college, university or daily transport and do not currently need an A2 or unrestricted Category A motorcycle.

How to get it: CBT → theory → Module 1 → Module 2

To get an A1 motorcycle licence, you normally need to complete the following steps:

1. Complete CBT. You need a valid DL196 CBT certificate unless you are exempt. CBT lets you practise on a 125cc motorcycle or scooter with L-plates while you work towards your full licence.
2. Pass the motorcycle theory test. This is taken at a theory test centre and includes multiple-choice questions and hazard perception.
3. Pass Module 1. This is the off-road motorcycle manoeuvres test, taken at a DVSA motorcycle manoeuvring area.
4. Pass Module 2. This is the on-road motorcycle test. You must pass Module 1 before taking Module 2.

If you have not completed CBT yet, see our CBT course page before booking A1 training.

Official sources: GOV.UK CBT, GOV.UK motorcycle theory test, GOV.UK motorcycle and moped tests.

What bike you train and test on

The A1 practical test is taken on a light motorcycle in the A1 test category. GOV.UK lists the A1 test vehicle as a 120cc to 125cc motorcycle, with power up to 11kW and a power-to-weight ratio up to 0.1kW/kg.

During training, you will normally use a 125cc motorcycle or scooter suitable for the A1 category. Your instructor will advise whether a manual or automatic machine is appropriate for you. The transmission you use for the practical tests matters, because GOV.UK states that both modules must be taken on the same subcategory and the same transmission type.

Official source: GOV.UK motorcycles and mopeds you can use for the tests.

What the motorcycle theory test consists of

The motorcycle theory test has two parts. You book and take them as one test, and you must pass both parts.

• Multiple-choice questions: 50 questions, with 57 minutes to answer them. Some questions may be based on a short case study about a real-life road situation.
• Hazard perception: 14 video clips showing everyday road scenes. You score points by spotting developing hazards as early as possible.

The current pass mark is 43 out of 50 for the multiple-choice part and 44 out of 75 for hazard perception. Your theory pass certificate number lasts for two years, so you need to pass both practical modules within that period.

Official sources: GOV.UK motorcycle theory test overview, GOV.UK multiple-choice questions, GOV.UK hazard perception, GOV.UK pass mark and result.

What Module 1 consists of in detail

Module 1 is the off-road part of the motorcycle practical test. It normally takes about 20 minutes and is carried out in a motorcycle manoeuvring area. It checks your control, balance, observations, braking and ability to handle the machine at slow and higher speeds.

The Module 1 test includes:

• wheeling the motorcycle and using the stand
• slalom and figure of 8
• slow ride
• U-turn
• cornering and controlled stop
• cornering and emergency stop
• cornering and hazard avoidance

For the emergency stop and hazard avoidance exercises, GOV.UK states that a motorcycle must reach a minimum speed of 31mph. At the end of the test, the examiner records any dangerous faults, serious faults and riding faults. You pass Module 1 if you make no serious or dangerous faults and no more than five riding faults.

Our A1 training focuses on the control skills needed for these exercises, including clutch and throttle control where relevant, balance, steering, braking, observations and accurate positioning.

Official source: GOV.UK Module 1 off-road test.

What Module 2 consists of in detail

Module 2 is the on-road part of the motorcycle practical test. You must pass Module 1 before you can take Module 2. The test normally takes about 40 minutes.

Module 2 includes:

• an eyesight check
• two ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• riding in a range of road and traffic conditions
• normal stops
• an angle start from behind a parked vehicle
• a hill start where possible
• about 10 minutes of independent riding

The examiner gives directions by radio and normally follows on a motorcycle. You cannot use sat nav during the independent riding section. GOV.UK says you will not fail simply for going off route, provided you continue to ride safely.

You pass Module 2 if you make no serious or dangerous faults and no more than 10 riding faults. Once you pass, you can start riding without L-plates straight away; you do not need to wait for the full licence photocard to arrive.

Official source: GOV.UK Module 2 on-road test.

A1 vs A2 vs full A

A1 is one of three main full motorcycle licence routes. The right route depends on your age, the motorcycle you want to ride and whether you want to progress to a larger machine later.

Official source: GOV.UK motorcycle categories and test vehicles.

Where we train

Universal Motorcycle Training® operates motorcycle training centres in and around London. A1 training availability varies by date, instructor allocation and test scheduling, so use the booking link to view current options.

• (1) Alperton (82 Sunleigh Road Alperton, Wembley, London, HA0 4LR)
West London A1 motorcycle licence and training for Wembley, Ealing, Harrow, Acton and surrounding areas.


• (2) Croydon (2 Ampere Way, Croydon, CR0 4WT)
South London A1 motorcycle licence and training for Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, Mitcham and nearby areas.


• (3) Dagenham (Goals Dagenham, Dagenham Leisure Park, Ripple Rd, Dagenham, RM9 6FD)
East London A1 motorcycle licence and training for Dagenham, Barking, Ilford, Stratford, Forest Gate, Walthamstow, Romford and Essex routes.


• (4) Edgware (The Hive London (Barnet F.C.), Camrose Avenue, Edgware, London, HA8 6AG)
North West London CBT training for Edgware, Canons Park, Stanmore, Harrow, Borehamwood, Mill Hill and Harrow.


• (5) Eltham (Charlton Park Rugby Club, 60A Broad Walk, London, SE3 8NB)
South East London CBT training for Eltham, Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley and Woolwich.


• (6) Hoddesdon/Harlow (Rye House Kart Raceway, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0EH)
Hertfordshire CBT training for Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Ware, Hertford and north London riders.


• (7) Wimbledon (Beverley Way, Wimbledon, New Malden, KT3 4PH)
South West London CBT training for Wimbledon, Merton, New Malden, Kingston and Putney.