Guidance

How to get a motorcycle licence

A flowchart of the different ways you can get a full motorcycle licence, including the training and tests you need to take.

• From: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
• Published: 19 January 2013
• Last updated: 1 March 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

• Publication for Northern Ireland

Documents

How to get a motorcycle licence

PDF, 425 KB, 5 pages

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Details

This flowchart gives step-by-step instructions on the different ways to get a moped or motorcycle licence, depending on your age, what type of licence you already have, and what training you’ve done.

You can read a guide about riding a motorcycle, moped or motor tricycle to find out more about what’s involved.

Published 19 January 2013
Last updated 1 March 2022 + show all updates

1. 1 March 2022

   Updated the flowchart for getting a subcategory A2 licence to reduce the engine size of the motorcycle used for the test from 395cc to 245cc.

2. 15 January 2019

   Updated the rules for getting a full category A motorcycle licence to include the motorcycle having a minimum engine power of at least 50kW and a minimum kerb weight of 180kg, following the rules changing on 31 December 2018.

3. 14 November 2016

   Updated the flowcharts for subcategory A2 and A licences to make the timescale for passing both modules of the motorcycle test clearer when a full licence has been held for 2 years or more.

4. 8 September 2016

   Updated the flowcharts for subcategory A2 and A licences to make the timescale for passing both modules of the motorcycle test clearer.

5. 24 October 2014

   Updated the flowchart to update the requirements for category A2 from 25kW to 35kW to 20kW to 35kW.

6. 19 January 2013

   First published.