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The usual route is provisional entitlement, Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) where required, the motorcycle theory test, then practical Module 1 and Module 2 on a motorcycle suitable for the category you want. This guide explains which licence fits each machine, when direct or progressive access applies, and what happens if your CBT certificate expires.
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Motorcycle licence categories at a glance
The category printed on your licence controls the motorcycles you may legally ride. The limits below come from the UK category and age tables and the Highway Code’s progression guidance.
| Category | Earliest eligibility | Motorcycle limits | What the route means |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM | 16 | Mopeds with a design speed range of 25–45 km/h | Moped category; the official test table sets CBT, theory and practical requirements. |
| A1 | 17 | Up to 125cc, 11kW and 0.1kW/kg | A standalone light-motorcycle entitlement. It does not grant A2 or A rights. |
| A2 | 19 | Up to 35kW and 0.2kW/kg; the motorcycle must not be derived from a machine producing more than twice its power | Medium-motorcycle category, available by direct access or by progression from A1. |
| A | 24 by direct access, or 21 after at least two years holding A2 | Unrestricted motorcycle size and power | Full category A entitlement, subject to the correct practical test and test-vehicle rules. |
Age alone does not create an entitlement. At each level you still need the required training, theory test and practical test, unless a specific legal route gives you an exemption that applies to your circumstances.
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Category AM: the moped licence
What you can ride
AM is the moped category. It applies to mopeds whose design speed is between 25 and 45 kilometres per hour. The design-speed description matters: it is the vehicle’s approved maximum design speed, not a speed you choose to ride at on the road.
When you can obtain it
The minimum age is 16. You need the appropriate provisional entitlement and must follow the CBT, theory and practical requirements shown in the official motorcycle test table. Passing AM gives you that moped entitlement only; it does not automatically become A1 when you turn 17.
What to check before booking
- Confirm that the moped’s approved design speed places it in the AM range.
- Check that the motorcycle you use for the practical test meets the current minimum specification for the AM test.
- Make sure your CBT and theory-test stages are still valid for the practical tests you plan to take.
Category A1: a 125cc light motorcycle
The legal limits
A1 permits a motorcycle with a maximum engine capacity of 125cc, maximum power of 11kW and a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.1kW/kg. All three limits apply. A motorcycle below 125cc can still fail the A1 limits if its power or power-to-weight figure is too high.
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A full A1 pass is a standalone motorcycle entitlement. It allows you to ride within the A1 limits, but it does not give you A2 or category A. If you later want A2, you must use the applicable progression route or qualify for direct access at the relevant age and pass the required test.
Choosing A1 deliberately
A1 can make sense when you want a light motorcycle at 17 and do not want to wait for A2 eligibility. It also lets you build experience on a smaller machine before seeking a higher category. The trade-off is that the entitlement remains capped at the A1 figures until you complete another category route.
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Category A2: the 35kW middle category
Power and weight limits
A2 motorcycles may produce no more than 35kW and must meet the 0.2kW/kg maximum power-to-weight ratio. The motorcycle also must not be derived from a machine with more than twice its power. In practical terms, a bike restricted to 35kW cannot be based on a model whose original power exceeds 70kW.
Direct access at 19
You can seek A2 by direct access from age 19. You still need to complete the required theory and practical stages, and the test motorcycle must satisfy the minimum A2 test-vehicle specification. A motorcycle that is legal to ride under A2 is not automatically suitable for the test, so confirm its specification with the training provider or test booking information before attending.
Progression from A1
An A1 holder may progress to A2 when the route requirements are met. Progression is not an automatic upgrade on your licence: you take the appropriate practical test on an A2-suitable motorcycle. Your existing category remains available, but the broader A2 entitlement starts only after you pass.
Why the derived-bike rule matters
Manufacturers and training schools may offer restricted versions of larger motorcycles. The restriction alone is not enough. If the unrestricted source model exceeds twice the A2 power limit, the resulting bike does not qualify for A2, even if a kit reduces its output to 35kW. Check the model’s approved power figures and documentation rather than relying on a seller’s description.
Category A: the unrestricted motorcycle licence
Two ways to qualify
- Direct access: you may take the category A route from age 24.
- Progressive access: you may take it from age 21 after holding A2 for at least two years.
Category A is the full motorcycle entitlement: it has no category-level motorcycle size or power cap. You must nevertheless pass the correct category A practical test, using a motorcycle that meets the applicable minimum test-vehicle rules.
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Being 21 is not enough by itself
A rider who turns 21 without two years of A2 experience cannot use progressive access solely because of age. That rider must wait until the two-year A2 period is complete or qualify through another route that is legally available. Keep evidence of when the A2 entitlement began so the two-year condition can be demonstrated when booking.
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How the UK motorcycle licensing route works
- Obtain provisional entitlement. Apply for the motorcycle entitlement appropriate to your planned route before training and tests.
- Complete CBT where required. CBT is the gateway training step used in the motorcycle licensing process. Your certificate has a two-year period for completing the theory and practical tests.
- Pass the motorcycle theory test. The theory pass is required before the practical test stages. Plan the booking so it remains current when you take both modules.
- Take practical Module 1. This is the off-road manoeuvres module. It assesses controlled handling exercises away from normal road traffic.
- Take practical Module 2. This is the on-road riding module. It assesses your riding in traffic and your ability to apply safe, legal riding decisions.
- Use a category-appropriate test motorcycle. The machine must meet the minimum specification for the category being tested. A pass on a smaller category machine does not qualify you for a larger category.
- Repeat CBT if its two-year period ends first. If you have not completed the required theory and practical tests within the CBT period, you must complete CBT again before continuing the route.
The exact order of training sessions can vary by provider, but the entitlement sequence does not: the category you seek determines the motorcycle used for the practical test and the licence you receive after passing.
CBT and the theory test: what each stage does
CBT is training, not a full category pass
CBT prepares a learner for supervised legal riding and is a prerequisite in the routes where the official rules require it. It does not award AM, A1, A2 or A. You still need the theory and practical tests for the category you want. Treat the certificate as time-limited planning permission for completing those tests, not as a permanent licence category.
The two-year clock
The CBT certificate lasts two years for completing the motorcycle theory and practical tests. If that period expires before you finish the required tests, repeat CBT. Schedule training, theory and both practical modules with enough margin for cancellations or a failed module; otherwise a delay can force you to restart this stage.
Theory before practical
Pass the motorcycle theory test before attempting the practical modules. A theory pass does not remove the need for Module 1 or Module 2, and it does not change the category for which you are eligible. Your age, previous category and the test motorcycle still determine whether the eventual entitlement is AM, A1, A2 or A.
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Practical test motorcycles and category mistakes
The practical test is category-specific. The official rules set minimum test-vehicle requirements, so the motorcycle must be suitable for the category even when you personally intend to ride a smaller machine afterwards. Detailed engine, power or equipment figures for each test vehicle are not stated here; obtain the current specification when booking rather than assuming any bike within the road-legal category will be accepted.
- For an A1 test, verify the machine is within the 125cc, 11kW and 0.1kW/kg limits.
- For an A2 test, verify both the 35kW and 0.2kW/kg limits and the derived-from rule.
- For an A test, verify that the machine meets the current category A minimum test specification, not merely that it has unrestricted power.
- For AM, confirm that the moped’s approved design speed is in the 25–45 km/h range and that it meets the AM test requirements.
Using the wrong machine can prevent the test from going ahead or result in a pass that does not give the entitlement you expected. Training schools normally identify suitable fleet motorcycles, but you remain responsible for booking the category you intend to obtain.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which route fits common rider situations?
| Your situation | Likely route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You are 16 and want a moped in the AM speed range | AM | AM is the first motorcycle category available from 16. |
| You are 17 and want a 125cc motorcycle | A1 | A1 permits up to 125cc, 11kW and 0.1kW/kg. |
| You are 19 and want a motorcycle above A1 limits but within 35kW | A2 direct access | A2 becomes available by direct access at 19, subject to the tests. |
| You hold A1 and meet the progression conditions | A2 progression | You take the A2 practical route rather than receiving an automatic upgrade. |
| You are 24 or older and have no A2 history | A direct access | Category A direct access starts at 24. |
| You are at least 21 and have held A2 for two years | A progressive access | The two-year A2 holding period satisfies the progression route’s age condition. |
These are route examples, not exemptions from training or testing. Your provisional entitlement, CBT status, theory pass and test motorcycle must all align with the category selected.
Common errors and how to avoid them
Assuming one pass unlocks every category
Each category is a separate entitlement. Read the result of your test and the category recorded on your licence; do not assume an A1 or A2 pass silently includes the categories above it.
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Engine capacity is only one A1 measure, and it is not the A2 limit. A2 is defined by power, power-to-weight ratio and the derived-from rule. Check the manufacturer’s approved figures for the exact model and variant.
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Waiting until the last weeks of CBT validity
Because the two-year period covers completion of the theory and practical tests, a late start leaves no allowance for a failed module or an unavailable test date. Book the theory stage early and leave time between modules for further training.
Booking the wrong practical category
Decide whether you are seeking A1, A2 or A before booking Module 1. The category determines the test motorcycle and the entitlement that can follow. If your long-term aim is unrestricted A, check whether direct access or the two-year A2 progression route is the better lawful path for your age.
Relying on an informal restriction claim
For A2, a seller’s statement that a motorcycle is “restricted” is not conclusive. Confirm the original power, the restricted output and the model documentation so the bike does not breach the twice-the-power rule.
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What to verify before booking
- Your age and, for progressive A access, the date you obtained A2.
- The category limits of the motorcycle you intend to ride and the exact test vehicle you will use.
- Whether CBT is required for your route and the date your certificate expires.
- That your motorcycle theory pass will still be valid when you complete both practical modules.
- That the booking is for the correct category and includes Module 1 and Module 2 requirements.
For the authoritative wording and any updated test-vehicle specifications, use the current GOV.UK motorcycle category tables, the Highway Code’s Annex 2 progression information and the official route guidance when arranging training and tests.
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