UK Driving Licence Query...

[Henriettaah]

Possibly a quick query here - on my licence it says that I have provisional entitlement for category A - on the DVLA website, it says that Cat A is: "Motorcycles up to 25k/33bhp - minimum age 17" (which can include some 250cc bikes); and then, "Any size motorcycle with or without a sidecar - minimum age 21".

Now I'm a little confused.

Does this mean that I can in theory do my CBT, then buy a <33bhp bike and ride it on the road legally (with 'L' plates, presumably), without having to take a test?? Would that mean that after two years of pottering around on that, I'd take a test and then if passed be able to ride any size bike??

[bigswifty]

I'm no Brit, nor a 'DVLA' representative, but it sounds like the restriction for Category A on bhp only applies to those under the age of 21.

[Henriettaah]

On the DVLA website Cat A is split into three: A1, A and A (over age 21).

A1 is the <125cc/14.6bhp

A is <33bhp.

I have provisional entitlement for Cat A on my licence, not A1 - hence my confusion

[Kal]

Mine says exactly Cat A and as I understand it I still need to do the Bike test.

The Driving Licence Laws arent the most clearly written piece of legislation, and the DVLA seem to put entitlements onto Licences at random (Before I moved mine read CA1 iirc)

Speak to a Riding School, but I am sure enough to stand you a pint if I am wrong!

If you go for the lower cc - test (expectations and maneavours are exactly the same in both tests, its just in one test you are on a 125 and in the other a 500) you'll be restricted to 33bhp for two years.

Exactly two years after you've taken the test your licence should upgrade to a full licence with no further test required.

If you dont want to take the test the only two work rounds are taking the CBT each time it lapses (2 years currently iirc & you will be restricted to 125cc) or ride a trike on your car licence.

[gadget]

Hi there -
I found the DVLA website very confusing but speaking to a bike school and then (doing the training) finally got my full license.

Here is how I see it.
You need to do a CBT.
You also need to do a full Bike Test (Theory and Practical) (there is never an automatic upgrade). I think the two years is a limit. If you haven't passed a full bike license in 2 years, you have to take your CBT again.
The full category A license gives you the right to ride anything, if you are old enough (21).

I did a Direct Access course in about 3 months:
CBT on a 500cc machine: at this point
Bike test preparatation on a 500cc machine
Bike Test theory and Practical (and pass!)

I think the provisional "A" entitlement gives you the right to get on a 500cc machine with a qualifed instructor behind you linked up by a radio.
Until then its 125cc bike I'm afraid.

How old are you?

John

[Henriettaah]

I'm 30 now, Gadget -

As I understand it, there seem to be two different tests I can take - either on a 125cc, or a 400cc (ish). The bigger bike is so called 'direct access' and would mean I could ride >33bhp, while taking the test on the 125cc would mean I'd be restricted to <33bhp for two years - after which I understand your licence would auto 'upgrade' to the larger cc/bhp group.

[Kal]

Bang on, thats it exactly!

[Henriettaah]

- Is there a massive price difference in the charge for the bigger cc test? Or is it just that schools charge more for lessons on their bigger bikes.

[Kal]

Checking the DSA website http://www.dsa.gov.uk/SpecialVehicles.asp?cat=164

The DSA appears to charge one fee regardless of what size Bike you are on, this ties in with the idea that the skills to be displayed and the pass standard being identical.

The school may include the cost of the test in the course price, some do some dont.

The seperate prices look like this:
Theory Test - £21.00
Hazard Perception - £20.50
Practical Test (Weekday) - £55.00
Practical Test (Weekend & Evenings) - £65.00

To give you an idea of Course prices and bike hire my local school, Shires, has a site here: http://www.shiresmt.co.uk/leicesterprices.htm

[Nibblet99]

The seperate prices look like this:
Theory Test - £21.00
Hazard Perception - £20.50

Errm, sorry to nit pick there kal, but the theory test contains the hazard perception, and is 21 pounds for the pair