Age 21+ - Challenge / Freedom!
Step 1: Licence
1st things first: licence. The DVLA are the source for this and
you can find out all about your licence on the Direct Gov site. If
you already have a car licence, full or provisional, it should include
a provisional motorcycle entitlement - have a look.
More info >>
Step 2: CBT
Before you ride: Compulsory Basic Training. Everyone* has to start their riding with a CBT course. It's not a test as such but you do need to complete it to an acceptable standard. If you're new to two wheels it will introduce you to bikes and riding in a controlled and safe way.
*If you passed your driving test before Feb 2001 you can ride a 50cc
moped without doing a CBT, otherwise everyone has to do it.
More info >>
Step 3: Direct Access Scheme
Direct Access Scheme: DAS. After your CBT, because you're older you have two choices of how to progress to a licence. You can follow the 17-20 route and learn on a 125cc machine, however, this restricts you to medium sized bikes for 2 years.
The DAS route enables you to ride any sized bike once you've passed your test without any delay. With Direct Access you train on a large 500cc bike with our instructor in radio contact on another bike. You take your Practical Test on a 500cc machine and then you hold an unrestricted, full Category A licence.
Step 4: Theory Test
Get the knowledge: Theory Test. To help understand the 'rules of the road' you need to do some learning for the Theory and Hazard Perception Test. You can do the Theory Test before starting your training, then there's no delay in booking your Practical Test, or do it while training.
Yes, even if you've got a full car licence or just passed a car
Theory Test, you will have to do a bike Theory Test.
More info >>