10. Driving licences and restrictions
Rules for the type of driving licence learner riders need, including UK and foreign licences, photocard licences and rules for direct access and progressive access.
10.1 Category AM (Moped)
10.2 A person may apply for their provisional driving licence up to eight weeks before their 16th birthday. However, it will not become valid until the actual date of their 16th birthday and then is only applicable for Category ‘AM’ (moped). A moped is a vehicle that has:
- fewer than four wheels
- a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h
- a maximum power of 4Kw
10.3 Anyone who passed their car driving test (Cat B) prior to 1 February 2001 has full moped entitlement (Cat AM) and is not required to take a CBT course in order to ride a moped.
10.4 Anyone who passed his or her car driving test (Cat B) after 1 February 2001 will need to complete a CBT course in order to validate his or her moped (Cat AM) entitlement. On completion of CBT, they will be entitled to ride a moped without L-plates, and carry pillion passengers.
10.5 If a car driving test is passed during the two-year life of a CBT DL196 certificate, the full category AM entitlement will be activated and the ‘L’ plates can be removed. In these circumstances the DL196 certificate will remain valid for the life of the driving licence.
10.6 From the 19 January 2013 a new moped category AM, replaced category P. Drivers who hold a full category P licence prior to the introduction of the Directive, will retain this category on their licence.
10.7 Motorcycle categories (A, A1 & A2)
10.8 Details of the current motorcycle licencing categories and minimum test vehicle specifications can be found at Riding a motorcycle, moped or motor tricycle.
10.9 It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that they bring to their test the right machine for the licence category they wish to obtain.
10.10 Progressive and Direct Access
10.11 The progressive access rules impose minimum ages on persons under the age of 24 years who wish to ride motorcycles that are more powerful. These younger riders can qualify and gain experience riding a less powerful machine. Under the progressive access route, riders will be able to access the largest motorcycle, category A, at age 21, provided they have held the full A2 for a minimum of 2 years.
10.12 Riders may take a direct access route to A2 and A where they meet the minimum age requirement for that category. A learner who is aged 19 years or over and wishes to obtain a full licence to ride medium-sized machines (category A2) will be able to do so by successfully completing Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and passing the specified theory and practical tests.
10.13 Similarly, if a learner is aged 24 years or over, they can obtain a licence to the largest machines (category A) by successfully completing CBT and passing the specified theory and practical tests.
10.14 Any valid (i.e. less than two years old) motorcycle theory test certificate can be used for any motorcycle practical test which the candidate is eligible to take. If a candidate has successfully completed CBT and obtained a full licence for a lower category, i.e. A1, the full licence entitlement for this category will cover the candidate for the CBT requirements of the next category.
10.15 For progressive access, the candidate is not required to take a theory test each time they step up to the next category provided they have obtained a full licence, i.e. if they have a full A1, the full licence entitlement for this lower category will cover the candidate for the theory test providing they have held the lower category for a minimum of two years.
10.16 It is the responsibility of the ATB to verify the identity of the person presenting for CBT and take reasonable steps to confirm the individual holds the correct provisional entitlement and is not disqualified.
10.17 An ATB or instructor may be deemed to have aided and abetted a road traffic offence if, during a CBT course, they accompany a learner on-road who does not hold the necessary provisional entitlement.
10.18 DVSA recommends that ATBs should always check the validity of photographs on photo card driving licences. If a trainee presents such a licence the ATB should advise them if the photograph has or is about to expire, they will need to renew their licence with DVLA without delay, and preferably before applying for the theory or practical tests.
10.19 While at present the old style paper licences are still valid for a CBT course (provided that the Category A entitlement is still current), DVSA recommends that the trainee candidate should be asked to produce a valid passport to verify their identity.
10.20 Full car licences issued within the EU/EEA (European Union/European Economic Area) are valid until the age of 70 in Great Britain (GB) provided they are current. However, these licences do not provide provisional motorcycle entitlement (with the exception of Northern Ireland).
10.21 Full car licences from countries within the EU/EEA can be used as provisional motorcycle entitlement only if supported by a GB driver number issued by DVLA. You can apply for a GB driver number from DVLA. The GB driver number should be entered as the driver number on all DL196 certificates issued to foreign licence holders. Full car licences from countries outside the EU/EEA do not provide provisional motorcycle entitlement and a GB driver number would not be issued in support.
10.22 A full car licence from an EU/EEA country only gives full moped entitlement in GB if the licence shows moped as a separate category or entitlement (as GB licences do with Category P/AM). Full car licences from EU/EEA countries do not therefore automatically give full moped entitlement when used in this country.
10.23 A full car licence holder from an EU/EEA country without moped separately identified has two options if they wish to obtain moped entitlement in GB. They can either:
- obtain a driver number from DVLA
- exchange their licence for a full GB car licence. They will however be required to complete a CBT course to validate the full moped entitlement on a full GB car licence unless the moped entitlement was obtained with their car test pass before 1 February 2001
10.24 Licences issued in Northern Ireland can be accepted as equal to GB licences.
10.25 Provisional licences issued in other EU/EEA countries (including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) are not valid for use in this country and are not exchangeable for GB provisional licences. Any person holding a foreign provisional licence wishing to drive or ride in this country should apply for a GB provisional in the normal way.