When it comes to learning to ride a bike and take your bike test, the range of options can sometimes be a little daunting. Lets take a look at the routes you can take beyond you CBT if you would like to move onto a bigger bike.

For the purposes of the various bike tests there are three categories of bike. Scooters and bikes are treated as the same thing (though for those that can take to the road on a 50cc geared bike without even a CBT it just seems like madness!). Also remember that even if you are of the right age and licence holding to ride without a CBT you will still need tax. MOT and insurance. These categories are –

Moped
Firstly keep in mind that there is a difference between a moped and a scooter. To be a moped it must be –
Under 250kg in weight
Maximum engine size of 50cc
Capable of no more than 50kph / 31mph

If you passed your full car driving test before 1st Feb 2001 then you will be able to ride a moped without any further qualification required and also carry a pillion. Please take our advice here though and go along for your CBT. Riding a moped is very different to driving a car, and for your own safety it is best to get a day of instruction by an experienced instructor.

Light / Learner Motorbikes
This category is any scooter or motorcycle with a maximum engine size of 125cc and a max power output of 11kw.

If you are 17 and have a car licence or provisional motorbike licence then you can ride a light motorcycle after completing the CBT with L plates.

For many people this size of bike is fine for local transport needs and so they never progress past this stage towards the bike test. However, if you do want to go on to the bike test you can now ride larger bikes under the instruction of a qualified instructor.

Standard Motorbikes
To ride a standard full-sized motorbike you will have needed to complete the CBT and theory test and are now ready to start training for the bike test.

There are yet more categories within this stage based on age –

If you are under 21 then you can take a category A bike test which will allow you to ride any bike between 121cc – 125cc capable of 100mph without L plates. You are then restricted to this size for two years.

If you are over 21 then you can take an Accelerated Access course, which will be your bike test for any size of bike.

All of these options can be very confusing when you first start looking into it. It is probably a good time to think about what your aim is and what kind of bike you actually need or want. After this take the time to talk to an instructor or two and run through with them what you would like to achieve when it comes to getting your bike licence.

Lets have a look at the two most common stage routes to the bike test –

CBT (Compulsory Basic Training)
A small group of drivers will not need to take a CBT to get on a moped, but for most people this is the first step to riding. It should be seen as a great day out where you get to have fun on bikes, not as some kind of difficult CBT test.

Throughout the day you will learn the basic skills, stopping, starting, turning etc within a safe area. When your instructor is happy that you have reached a basic standard he/she will take you out onto the road for a two hour ride.

Even if you don’t have to do a CBT we would highly recommend you do as there is so many little skills you can pick up from the experts in this one day.

See here for more on the CBT

Bike Theory Test
The bike theory test is just that, a classroom based theory test to ensure you have a full understanding of the laws and dangers of the open road. Even if you have passed a car theory test you will still need to sit the bike version.

DSA Course (Direct Access Scheme)
If you are over 21 then you can take your DSA Course. This means that you can follow the steps and ride any bike you wish after completing the bike test, even if you have never ridden before.

The first part of the DSA course is to complete the two steps above, the CBT and the Motorbike Theory test.

Once you are through the first stage the instructor will assess your level and take you through further training days on bigger bikes. This is usually between three to five days depending on where your instructor thinks you are at.

You will usually be training with one instructor and a couple of other learners, but you can check the way your chosen instructor runs it by talking to them before you book. These are quite long and intensive days, so it is best to get plenty of sleep during this week.

When you are ready the instructor will arrange your test. The test is quite short, usually less than an hour. Afterwards your examiner will give you some feedback and hopefully tell you that you have passed your bike test.

You can see some videos by the DSA about the DSA Course here: Motorbike Training

Remember that you learn something new everyday. Each trip out on your bike will throw new situations at you. Just because you have passed your bike test it does not make you an expert. Think about taking further advanced instruction after you have got a few riding hours under your belt.

You can see more information on the bike test and advanced training here: http://www.dsa.gov.uk/