I need help getting a UK motorbike licence.

January 2, 2010 8:22 AM

How do I get a motorcycle licence? Im a US citizen living in London and Im experiencing information overload. Please filter the information for me.

The internet being my only source of information on how to go about this, Im feeling overwhelmed and confused. I need to know exactly what steps I need to go through in order to get a UK motorcycle licence. From the very very beginning.

To complicate things, my US driver's licence has expired. I dont yet have a bike of my own. I intend to take extended international trips, not just mopedding around town, which I think does make a difference?

Ive been pointed to a number of websites with conflicting information and my brain becomes scattered when I try to get started. I cant figure out what the equivalent of the DMV is, if there is one. I just want to get this done so I can ride! Is there a single office where I can take care of everything required in one go? Thank you for helping my simple brain.

posted by ElmerFishpaw to travel & transportation around United Kingdom (6 answers total)

The U.S. State Department has a Web site devoted to our citizens who are traveling/living in other countries. A link there led me to this. It gives the basic information.
Best wishes on your stay.
posted by srbrunson at 8:53 AM on January 2, 2010

The DVLA is the UK body in charge of issuing licences.

The requirements for a motorcycle licence

You can apply online for your provisional licence.

Then you have to do the Compulsory Basic Training.

Then you can ride around on a moped with L plates, in the UK, for up to two years. To ride a bigger bike or to ride in other EU countries you'll need to pass the full theory and practical tests.

You can't exchange a US driving licence for a UK one even if it's in date.
posted by emilyw at 9:02 AM on January 2, 2010

Then you can ride around on a moped with L plates, in the UK, for up to two years. To ride a bigger bike or to ride in other EU countries you'll need to pass the full theory and practical tests.

My understanding is that if you're over 21, you can do direct access, which allows you (once you've completed CBT and the theory test) to bypass the two-year restriction and take your practical test on a larger bike. If you pass the practical test, you get an unrestricted license.

(This site matches my understanding.)
posted by asterix at 9:12 AM on January 2, 2010

Is there a single office where I can take care of everything required in one go?

There is, but it's in Swansea. Most of the initial paperwork for your provisional licence can be done through any branch of the post office or online. Then you're off to find a CBT course -- there are lots of reputable test centres in London -- which you'll probably ace if you're an experienced rider, and the people running the course will be in the best position to advise you on what to do next, based on your past experience and abilities.

(Here's some background on what the two-year restriction on the standard test means in terms of the bikes you're allowed to ride.)

Perhaps a bit convoluted and nannyish compared to most states in the US, but the aim is to make sure that riders don't start with more bike than they can handle and end up dead.
posted by holgate at 9:36 AM on January 2, 2010

If you were a UK resident, the procedure would be:

1. Get a provisional motorbike license (if you've got a full UK car license, you already have one of these).

2. Perform Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), a 1-day course costing about £100

3. You can now ride a motorbike of up to 125cc, with 'L' plates and without a passenger, for up to 2 years.

4. If you want, you can take lessons. You can only ride a bike above 125cc on the road when accompanied by an instructor.

5. Either:

(a) Take and pass a driving theory test, and a 2-part standard practical test, on a 120cc to 125cc motorbike. You are then licensed, but limited to a 25kW bike for 2 years.

or

(b) If aged over 21, take and pass a driving theory test, and a 2-part 'direct access' practical test, on a 35kW or higher bike. You are then licensed without a power restriction.

As you're visiting from America, there's another option for the first 12 months of your stay; if you have a valid foreign driving license allowing you to ride motorbikes, you can use that license in the UK for up to 12 months. Otherwise, you have to follow the same procedure as above to get a motorbike license. (I'm basing this on this information)
posted by Mike1024 at 10:04 AM on January 2, 2010

The advice given above all seems sound (I work for DVLA but don't have any great experience of driver's licenses so don't have much to add). But:
Although the main offices of the DVLA are in Swansea, they have 40 'Local Offices' round the country, any of which should be able to give you advice. In particular, since you live in London, I'd suggest calling in at Wimbledon as it's one of 3 offices that offers a premium checking service for driver's licenses, and the staff there should theoretically have more experience of driver queries. If they don't know the answer, they have an internal helpdesk they can call which enables them to give fuller answers than you might get if you called the Swansea contact centre.
posted by kumonoi at 2:59 AM on January 3, 2010