Marksman1997 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Hello. I have UK full driving license but would really like a motorbike license. Do you need to take a separate theory test or would i be covered by car one? Is the test easy to pass if you just went for it? Or would it be better to just get a CBT? (That way i think you don't need a theory or practical test just some training??) Any Advice?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I don`t believe you would have to retake a theory test. You must however take a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training). Is the test easy? Depends how well you ride I guess. It took me a few attempts but I do get nervous doing that kind of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 You don't need a theory for CBT but that will limit what you can ride. I did my direct access about 3 years ago so can ride anything now. I had to do a theory for that but as a driver it was all pretty much common sense and didn't have to learn anything new. Some new licensing laws came in other year so all depends on ages etc now on what you can ride. Is best thing I ever did getting my bike licence. I also really enjoyed my lessons. The second time I have ever been on a bike (1st been CBT) my instructor took us off to the coast for the day on the back roads was bricking it at first but loved it once we got going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman06 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Hello. I have UK full driving license but would really like a motorbike license. Do you need to take a separate theory test or would i be covered by car one? Is the test easy to pass if you just went for it? Or would it be better to just get a CBT? (That way i think you don't need a theory or practical test just some training??) Any Advice?? All depends on when you passed car test and what you would like to be able to ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 This may help a little. http://www.confused.com/motorbike-insurance/guides/getting-your-motorbike-licence Also as above if you passed car test before 1st Feb 2001 you can ride moped without L or doing a CBT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksman1997 Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 passed a couple of weeks ago. Only looking something handy that costs little to run. am i correct in saying that if you do a cbt then i could ride a Honda CBR 125 with L plates displayed for 2 years?? Very small bike i know. But i just need to get from A-B plus my mum and dad wouldn't allow me to have much bigger incase i kill myself! I have been on a push/pedal bike to and from work for the last 2 years so can handle one of those well and am quite aware. (im sure its much different on a motorbike though??) Thanks for input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Yeah you can. I did my CBT on a CBR125 great little bike and would be fun to have a go on one again. Be warned once you get the big it gets expensive quick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksman1997 Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Yeah you can. I did my CBT on a CBR125 great little bike and would be fun to have a go on one again. Be warned once you get the big it gets expensive quick! Thanks for the help James! What do you mean by "the big" (im stupid! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Meant the bug but my fat fingers hit I instead of u sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman06 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Agreed loads of options when it comes to a 125 such as a yzf125r. Just remember smaller bike doesn't mean safer. Probably opposite in fact but good starting point. Especially seen as if you did test you would be restricted for 2 years unless 24 I think to do direct access. But they do involve a theory test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Meant the bug but my fat fingers hit I instead of u sorry lol I thought you meant once you moved up to bigger bikes it became expensive. Which it does, to some degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I actually found I rode safer on a ZXR400L2 than I did my mates on their 125's... likely because I knew that I had infinitely more speed so didn't bother, whereas they would need to wring the necks out of their 125's to feel good... However, this was a fair while back and I doubt there's many 2 stroke RS125's left which aren't bent to hell and back. CBR 125's seem ok, 4 stroke, bit of torque and reliable - sounds good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksman1997 Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 So how does this work? I go for a CBT which i should complete in ___ days and it will cost roughly £__. (please fill in the blanks for me.) Then i get a certificate or something that allows me to ride a CBR125 for 2 years with L plates displayed unsupervised. Is that it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) CBT Takes a day to do and they cost about £100. Not sure if I read earlier if you have a car licence the CBT lasts the life of the car licence will try find clarification for you. This link should help https://www.gov.uk/cbt-compulsory-basic-training/cbt-if-you-have-a-car-driving-licence Edited June 29, 2015 by James1983 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 can you still carry a passenger on a moped if you have a full car licence ?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 can you still carry a passenger on a moped if you have a full car licence ?. Not sure on this one. Know you can with no L plate so will depend on what your licence entitles. Always find the bike licensing complicated and not clear cut to everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLuke Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 can you still carry a passenger on a moped if you have a full car licence ?. Would think not as can't carry pillion on L plates (which is what a car licence entitles you to on a moped) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 You can ride a moped without L plates and without taking the full motorcycle test if either: you have a car driving licence and a compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001 But the gov site does say the above so if you have a CBT and full car licence you can ride a 50cc scooter with no L plate? Think on a 125 you need an L plate still as that's a different classification to moped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Had a Honda varadero 125cc for a couple of years great bike with road presence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksman1997 Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 CBT Takes a day to do and they cost about £100. Not sure if I read earlier if you have a car licence the CBT lasts the life of the car licence will try find clarification for you. This link should help https://www.gov.uk/cbt-compulsory-basic-training/cbt-if-you-have-a-car-driving-licence so by this do you mean it lasts more than 2 years? Can you fail CBT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Not sure it sounds like it but best asking an instructor they know the driving laws inside out. You can fail but you would have to do something seriously wrong. I got offered a geared bike or a twist and go scooter but I stayed with the bike and I managed to pass when it was my first time ever on a bike and had to get used to the gears. You will do a couple hours in a safe area (normally a empty car park on Tarmac area) doing slow manoeuvres emergency stops etc then go for a road ride. I was bricking it and pulled out of a t junction and slipped the clutch two quick and nearly went straight on to the kerb hitting a guy walking. Managed to turn just before the kerb and bring it under control and I still passed. Just find a local training centre get booked in you will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman06 Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 If you are driving a moped (50cc) on a full car licence passed before feb 2001 and therefore without L-plates yes you can take pillion passengers as long as the vehicle is designed to take them. If you are riding a moped or 125 on L-plates having completed your CBT then you are not permitted to take pillion passengers until a full test is completed be that a restricted licence or direct access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning 425 clay hunter Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 I'm currently doing my direct acceess. Did my CBT 3 weeks ago. 6 hours total, 4 in a car park to practice then a 2 hour road session. I did mine on a scooter and looking back it was the best choice because I hadn't ridden geared bikes for 15 plus years and it would be hard to learn that as well as the CBT stuff. Get your theory test booked early as usually a 3/4 week wait is in order. After CBT you should have a assessment lesson starting in a car park where they teach you about the gears, stopping and starting and slow speed manoeuvres while slipping the clutch, takes a bit of practicing to get smooth, then you go out on the road for an hour. Once your ok with a 125cc you then jump onto a 650cc normally and once your riding at a competent level you can do your mod 1 test of manoeuvring in a car park then you do your mod 2 which is road riding and a emergency swerve in a closed off area. Finally your CBT and theory test pass are only valid from the date you took your test till 2 years time. Hope this helps and hasn't bored you. ATB 425 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjh Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Had a Honda varadero 125cc for a couple of years great bike with road presence +1 great starter bike good viability from riding position and as stated can be seen better than some of the smaller bikes or scooters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 If you are driving a moped (50cc) on a full car licence passed before feb 2001 and therefore without L-plates yes you can take pillion passengers as long as the vehicle is designed to take them. If you are riding a moped or 125 on L-plates having completed your CBT then you are not permitted to take pillion passengers until a full test is completed be that a restricted licence or direct access. i had a feeling that this used to be the case but didnt know if it had been changed in recent years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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