A lot of people are calling this "money making" I will leave this here, saves me replying the same thing. Whenever anyone says "its to make money" I have to point this out. Of the say £700-800 people pay to do a licence, only £100 goes to the gov in test fees. I really do not think it is making anyone enough to make that argument, many pay more than that monthly in tax opposed to once in a lifetime. The people making the most money is the schools and the examiners being paid to do the tests. For this reason I do not buy in to their idea being to "make money" because it isn't making anyone but the schools money and they do not make the rules.

I’m so glad I was born in the 60s, things were so much simpler, when I did my test an examiner told me to go around the block on my Honda superdream and take the next available right turn, I went down the street and he jump out in front of me for an emergency stop. Im in my 60s now and love motorbikes as much as I did as a lad. Big smile on my face when out on my triumph tiger 900.

It's just crazy... I did my CBT at 16, full test at 17, restricted to 33bhp for 2 years and then good to go. The system was fine IMO. Biking used to be a cost effective alternative to a car, now, given the cost of bikes, all the tests, the safety gear, the insurance... just blows my mind.

I passed my full bike licence on my 17th birthday for £28. Got straight on a BSA 650 A65. The same bike as what Boon had. The days before the nanny state.

The main thing that bothers me with the current system as an A2 licence holder, is that in order to upgrade to the A licence in two years time, I will need to back to a training centre, pay a fortune for lessons/to use their bikes, and then do the exact two tests that I have already passed, on the exact same bike (only unrestricted).

If you can understand the motorcycle licencing system you should be the ruler of the universe

Glad I'm old and did my test in 1979. So complicated (and expensive) now. Back then 16 - 50cc on "L" plates no training, then 17 years old 250cc on "L" plates, one test ( ride round the block one way then the other), - Full licence ride what you like.

I took and passed my Cycling Proficiency Test aged 11 which was basically today’s CBT on a cycle. At 16 I took and passed my motorcycle (ride around the block) test and at 17 my car test. All the required knowledge, experience and road craft having been gained from that original CPT which, as part of my schooling, cost me nothing but over several weeks of training taught me everything to be safe on the roads.

This will be interesting, for sure. Currently if you have a full car driving licence and you do the CBT it enables full cat AM on your licence. This means you can ride 50cc mopeds without L plates even after the CBT expires. The proposed changed would seem to indicate that full car licence holders who've completed the CBT, and thus get Full AM would then be given 125cc access. I think 125cc bikes on a full car licence is much better than the 50cc at the moment as it wouldn't feel like a downgrade in terms of keeping up with traffic on a 50cc with it's speed restrictions in place.

There shouldn't be a test for any licence, it should be an assessed set of modules completed and signed off by an instructor. The idea one slight error fails someone perfectly competent and a clean run for a poor driver passes them is crazy.

The most important advice I was ever given from my instructor was to imagine that every time you go out onto the road everyone else is trying to kill you; and be sure you know what's going on around you at all times. Most people killed on motor cycles are quite young riding small machines and often it's the lack of road craft that does it, not so much the capacity of the bike. I'm seventy and still here because I took his advice, It's also good to ride out with older riders who will watch your back.

When i got mine many many years ago it was round the block on a 125, passed got straight onto a GSX 1100. Was bloody terrified of it so the learning curve was fast. However to date have not had an 'off' that 1100 taught respect for the power, and performance. I do believe that everyone should have a year on a bike before getting a car, being on a bike teaches you very quickly to watch what the others are doing.

I’ve just passed my CBT at 52….. I’m itching to get competent and progress. I know very little. What I DO know is you are offering a whole good to me and many younger versions of me, free of charge. No only do you do this, which in itself is pretty god damn awesome, but you do it very well. You’ve got my respect.

I wish i'd got a license when i was young, the current system has put me off for years, it's too complicated and too expensive.

100% agree with most of the changes, especially bringing down the age for Direct Access, been driving since I was 17. Cheaper than doing a CBT and insuring a bike.. In that time I've been waiting to get a motorbike license, I've qualified in a trade, re-trained, suffered through cancer, bought a house yet I am still not trusted to be able to train to ride a motorcycle after a CBT & 2 tests. 24 is just too late, 21 seems a lot more reasonable. I am preparing to just do the Direct Access at the moment, theory is done. All booked in for around March next year. Just a long time coming.

I think if you passed your driving test before 2000 you should be aloud to ride a 125 without a CBT and not just a moped.

I am just glad I took my bike test back in 1979, took one test and passed and went from a 125 to a GS1000S suzuki in a day. Now those were the focking good days. Still riding now in my 60's with a GSXR750 and GS550E I bought over 20 years ago. Ah I miss the old days when things were not as focked up by our self absorbed politicians and woke brigade as they are today, You called it like it was back then and if you focked about you would take the outcome of it on your own shoulders not cry like a little girl.

I'll stick with my grandad rights. Where I can ride 50cc with no L plates or the need of a CBT . Obviously it's a 2 stroke 😂😂

"Just ride like the Police are behind you" God I loved that line! 😂

Some interesting thoughts, some good and some that raise questions. A good video though and I appreciate you going over it with the PDF itself Spicy 👍 I think adding the category for electric light vehicles (ie. scooters, etc.) is a good move, as there is certainly an appetite for them in the correct context, although registration/insurance for them I've yet to see proper information for. We'll have to see where this leads, if anywhere, going forwards.

I did pt 1, pt 2, then local motorcycle school (Lansdown , Bath) where there was a basic course and also then Advanced, which was literally based on the Police Riders Handbook and we were examined by Police Riders in pursuit with comms, course was like £60, so happy I did it all back then, but in this old era there were still crazy fast RG125s , TZRs, MBXs, so I can imagine what a de-restricted full on 2 stroker at 22KW for a 17 year, blinking nippy little screamers, wow I would have loved a go on that at 17 instead of my crappy FR80 Suzuki step through...now in my old age(haha) I'd settle for a GS500 or CB500 sized twin, all I see are 20mph zones and very few National limits left, it's all 40's between villages that are 20mph, gone are the days where you could fill up my F reg GPZ500S and howl from Bath to Woolacombe with all your mates GPz550, GSX550 GPX750 old hulks...or Cheddar...oh the memories are coming back now...jeez Rob had an RG500...the smell of 2 Stroke😁

Most of these proposals seem sensible enough (which means the government will sit on them them like it did the 2016 proposals) But the CBT>CBT+>A1 progression seems overly complex for new riders, particularly with the CBT and A1 having differing engine power restrictions. I'd change it so the 11kw limitation is removed completely in favour of 22kw, and the CBT cannot be repeated but the CBT+ can. Raising the base level of training while letting newer riders have a bit more power is a fair trade-off, imho. One important thing is the new 22kw A1 *must* be doable on a 125 so as to remove the trap of scooter riders having to learn on a geared bike to get a license for anything beyond 11kw because schools almost never have automatics more powerful than 125. That's why 250/300 scooters are so rare in the UK, current 125 riders who'd like an upgrade are faced with a costly faff to get there.

I’m coming up to 40 and have taken my CBT twice so far and was just planning to repeat this as I only use my motorbike for commuting to work, as it’s a lot quicker than the bus. I haven’t taken a test as I get anxiety, but this might force my hand, so as long as I can get through the anxiety, it might be good as I can then get a bigger bike. However, if I can’t, I guess it’s back to the bus 😢

I started teaching just as the Mod1, Mod2 test sequence started. An ATB assessment to progress an individual’s licence was allowed in the E.U. Driving Licence directive that triggered the change to a two part practical test, but the DSA, now the DVSA didn’t want that route available in the UK. I don’t know if it was allowed elsewhere in Europe. These suggested changes are basically, ‘Do what the law has always allowed, plus a bit to sort out electric scooters’.

I took my test in 1963, very simple. Ride a few weeks on my Triumph Speed Twin 500 , apply for my test . Test was ride in a figure of 8 around the houses. Test passed, L plates over the nearest fence. Been riding big bikes since, never had a real crash, fell off in the ice a couple of times and that’s it. Now aged 77 and have given up riding for health and safety of others. So very complicated now.

Absolutely agree with the CBT not retaking it constantly without knowing the highway code. E-scooters I. The road with cars, trucks is crazy thinking.

There’s a massive issue here that no one has grasped, by 2030 you won’t be able to buy a petrol 125 it will have to be electric. So to move up to a full A test means you’ll have to learn on a geared ICE bike which get phased out 5 years later. Makes no sense when you combine these new power categories test categories. Currently you can’t take a full A test on an full power electric bike. Big lack of joined up thinking here.

I rode my first bike with L plates fitted with a sidecar at 16 a BSA A10 ,which was a hell of a lump to throw around when in those days I weighed about a third of what I do at the moment ?. The test like others have said a quick wizz around the block and I even took the tester up the road and through the gears ,but as a lad who"s Granddad had a farm and at the back of our house was a massive British Road Services lorry park so I had ridden bikes ,scooters & mopeds around since I was 10 .But then Biking was not just for fun ,it was a way of life and used by most adults for all forms of transport as modern cars are today . Anybody who ever rode a outfit will tell you they need more talent ,especially to ride - fast . It helped me because most members of the family including my late wife"s - rode bikes, well my Father & Mother in law ,did .I still own a collection of big bikes in my 70s and some classic cars . If I had my time over again I would almost certainly not bother getting a bike License ,just one read of the woes and expense on this page would tell you why ?. But I hardly think saying much higher insurance premiums will effect the driving of high powered cars ,that is hardly the point - the harder rules with Big Bikes hardly make it fair . MY local corner shop owning Asian guy has a handful of sons who fly around in every kind of Supercar thanks to their rich Dad being a nice bloke & Dad and paying their enormous insurance fees and of course Clarkson guarantee that only the rich will be able to own a car well into the future and come the laws about E.V. all this will seem to be even more weird ?.

Why do I feel the same people who complain now will still complain if they change it!

When I was young, the motorbike gave so many of my peers something to live and work for. True, there were many deaths, however nowadays there are so many kids stuck at home with no ambition, I always felt the motorcycle gave kids ambition and generally led to better mental health and fewer suicides.

The CBT should have always been a one time thing, my step daughters brother literally has been taking his CBT every 2 years since he was 16, (now 26), multiple crashes and he still hasn't taken his tests and has no formal training other than CBT and experience, but having seen him ride he has so many dangerous habits I am amazed he is still breathing let alone walking. Having passed my direct access 19 years ago it amazes me that we are still in a system where constant CBT taking can see you on the road with no formal training, just basics, road craft for some has to be taught to them and others just never get it whether that be on 2 wheels or 4.

Good God! How confusing! I took my motorcycle test in August 1962. Since then, I've driven just about everything under the sun, from an Ariel Golden Arrow to an 1800cc Honda Gold Wing without incident of any kind. I took my car licence the following year (1963) and I've never had a ticket or claim of any kind. The old ways were the best ways in my opinion, and didn't need a "Job's worth" who doesn't drive at all to mess with it.

Hi spicy very good video very informative I’m working towards my mod2 on a direct access it’s sad at times seeing changes to how you may get a license especially when people have paid more for them I’ve got most of the categories on my license apart from one which I’m doing sometimes I think these changes are to draw more people in to generate more revenue like with the lorry license you can go from a car straight to an articulate lorry I think it’s not age is a problem it’s the experience I think once you have already have a license to upgrade there should be some kind of system to check that experience like through insurance for certain period of time

We switched to the conveluted Mod1 Mod2 system because it was an EU directive. Interestingly, the vast majority of the rest of the EU said "bollocks to that" and carried on with their current systems.

I passed my Car test in 1971 at the age of 17 but couldn't afford my own car straight away, so I bought a cheap used 250cc Suzuki 'Super Six' and used it as my main transport for the next 3 years, just on 'L' plates. Since then, I have mainly driven cars, ranging from 500cc to 6,000cc, only using motorbikes as and when needed. I did my first CBT in 2008 on 125, and found it hilarious. I felt that it was aimed at people who had never even seen a road before, let alone travelled on one! For the next 18 months, I rode a Honda Varadero, 6 days a week around the City of London covering 12,000 miles without issue, then got a new job that made a car more practical. In 2011, I did my 2nd CBT on a 650cc bike, simply because I found out that you could - even though I could only legally ride a 125 afterwards! A few years later, I found out that my car licence will allow me to ride a 'Trike', so I sold the Varadero and bought a 500cc Gilera Fuoco - which I can ride any time I like. No more silly CBT's, I can take a passenger and even ride on motorways! The whole motorcycle licencing thing is a joke - mainly because you end up with a small group of highly skilled, rigorously trained road users, navigating the roads on power-restricted unsafe vehicles, amongst a sea of bigger, more powerful vehicles, with drivers of vastly differing skills and experience who think they are invincible. I haven't found a significant difference between driving a car and riding a bike - and before you shout 'Observations' - No. The observations you are taught on a motorcycle are exactly the same as the ones you are supposed to be doing in a car!

What a shame they don’t make car drivers do exactly the same staircasing

Thanks for the vid, i'm looking to do my CBT again (did it many years ago and passed my bike theory at the time but never bought a bike!). I'm hoping to get my CBT done in early 2024 and theory test done, deffo want to do the DAS and get the full licence. It will be interesting to see what changes will actually be implemented though! we've not had a shake up like this in a long time!

Riding a bike a bit like being a Spitfire pilot, survive first six months then probably be ok.

Agree with another commenter that this would make the A2 a bit pointless. The A1 proposal sounds decent but I would personally scrap the A2 and just keep A1 and A. I was going to say do without any progressive access too but that seems a bit unfair to anyone starting at 17. Definitely in favour of A being 21, you're a grown adult who can drink, vote and join the army, you should be able to choose what bike you want to ride. e-scooter licence for 14+ sounds like a great idea, those things really need to be legalised as they're very useful modes of transport.

I did a cbt at 17, then stopped riding at 18. I redone the cbt at 23 and stopped riding at 24, then did cbt to full license at 35 so on them new rules I couldn't of redone the cbt for the 3rd time so I'd never of been riding a bike.

Fortunately I took my test in 1958 on a 200cc Tiger Cub. Something that most of my mates rode. After the test in Harrow on the Hill. I saved up and bought a Tiger 110 in 1960. at 18. Still ride my Moto Guzzi Daytona RS these days. But am wondering what my Grandson of 17 who has just passed his car test, could do if he wanted to get transport and could not afford the running of a car, where he stands with access to driving a motorcycle? Best Dave

I passed my A2 recently, it would be great if it gets upgraded to a full A license without the extra costs =)

I started riding in the 1970's, held various bikes at that time (shown on DVLA records) on a Provisional old style licence upto 225cc. Then along came CBT. Even after owning and riding on U.K roads for a few years of higher cc, All of a sudden, I was alleged to be a death risk, with no experience, although I had never had a bad spill off a bike. I have been driving cars just as long and yet, I have to do a CBT just to get on anything above a moped (for which, I can just get on and ride with a full moped Licence as part of my car lIcence). Has a moped more than 2 wheels I wonder ? (hint of sarcasm) .. I get that faster is more dangerous, but it's ok to drive a car at 70 MPH and have good reaction time and awareness of other road users. Plus I also have ridden bikes at that speed without dying for years. I currently have a 5 year bike no claims bonus as a result of using a 125 on the U.K roads (again without killing myself or others), as a result of a misunderstanding as to whether I was actually licenced to do so. DVLA said I had (I even returned my licence to them for verification) and then I was looking for another insurer who said I wasn't licenced. Again, much arguing and then got that bored with it, I sold the bike to save any possible legal breach. The whole CBT system is a complete waste of time. You can't actually fail a CBT and some of us who like riding bikes, have years of experience on bikes anyway. Common sense should prevail if you have owned and used bikes on U.K roads previously. Surely, if you can stay upright and without killing yourself or others, do you have to prove it again and again every 2 years ? .. What changes even after 2 further years road experience ? .. surely experience should improve, not go backwards ? Rant over :)

I think the riding schools will start testing you for mod1 and dvsa will only do mod2, basically what they do for lorry tests now. To many examiner's are leaving and not being replaced so the back log for tests is months. Getting rid of mod1 tests will help a bit

I remember being able to ride any bike up to 250cc on a provisional licence in the 70s. As it happened, my first bike was a 98cc Suzuki from 1973 when I was 18, the second was a CZ 175 from 1976 and then I bought new a Honda 250N in 1979, passing my test on it the same year after some voluntary training run by the ACU/RAC. So I guess I did slowly graduate upwards in experience and power, even having some touring holidays on them. I took quite a leap then going up to a Honda 750K in 1980, tho' the 250N was good experience for in many ways it felt like a larger bike. There seemed to be more bikes available then to step up bit by bit in power. My actual bike test in 1979 seems very simple by modern standards, and took about 45 minutes, involving a couple of circuits around round a block of houses off the High Street in Chingford, with the examiner leaping out from behind a postbox to test my emergency braking skills, then some questions about road signs and the Highway Code, followed by the "I'm pleased to tell you..." bit.🙂

In whole, these changes are positive. But it is incredibly frustrating for those like me who took my A2 and full A license in the last few years and have to spend a fortune to do so. Didn't help that my examiner got a rear puncture on the test and had to cancel delaying my pass by another month...

For a long time i have liked the idea of applying the bike power / age restrictions to car driver.

Why does it need to be so confusing (other than to make money through testing)? Theory > CBT is good 👍 Then CBT > DAS equivalent all the way through (none of this A1, A2 crap). DAS equivalent with staggered power restrictions of the bike at different ages i.e. 17 - max 125cc, 19 -max 250cc, 21 - max 650cc 24+ - unlimited. No retesting to move up in power! The person has already done the course.

I’ve been a subbie of yours for a long time but don’t recall if you ever compared MC laws (or road in general) to what we have here in the US. Granted some have different ones but still, interesting topic if you decide to do it 👍

I’ve just downtrained as a cbt instructor, after just a few sessions I’m finding that there is a greater need for the 1st time cbt to be a 2 day course as it’s adding extra pressure to try nd complete in 1 day especially if they’ve never ridden before

Mostly good changes and desperately needed, however I would have liked to see an alternative upgrade path for A1/A2 holders who have completed an advanced riding certificate. I currently have an A2 and will have to wait another 1.5 years to do my full A under the current system, yet I have a ROSPA Silver advanced riding qualification which is way beyond the requriements for the standard test or new "ATB assessment".

I did a part 1 and a part 2. Nice and simple. My son, did a CBT and then the theory and he failed the theory a few times, with the 2-part bit, he passed one part but kept failing the other and this was random, and he failed by 1, 2 or 3 points and thats all. In the end he gave up. He is now no longer riding a bike or driving a car as he is sick of it. My daughter is in a similar situation with her car test, although her instructor was clearly a money grabber and she has now stopped learning to drive completely as she was waiting for a test for almost 3 years now and she has been promised test after test after test and its been postponed many times... We now think that this is all down to her instructor! This is a huge shame, but the thing is, that his mates are in a similar position. In our bike club, there is 4 Chapters and 73 members, and we had brought the issue with the multi-part tests and there re a huge number of people that simply do not want to drive or ride a bike purely because the tests are nothing more than money makers.

So back in the eighties for me it was a half day theory and bike test to get a learner's license for a 250cc. Within 12 months I could apply for a full bike licence.

Did my CBT at 52 last month. Have been driving for over 30years but the bike insurance is stupidly expensive! Got a TC Max after watching your series of reviews! Not interested in getting anything else so may do my A1, would be nice to do it on my bike but charge wouldn't last long enough to do the test on, when are they going to factor that in? Still way too complicated, even now I see bikes that are clearly bigger than 125cc with L plates on, which you shouldn't be riding unless under instruction. People are always going to ride illegally when it's this overly complicated to get a licence.

I'm all for progressive learning particularly for younger riders who naturally have little or no road experience when they start out . However , no system allows for 'one size fits all' and there should perhaps be some exceptions. I took my CBT and bought my 125 as it was all I wanted in order to get around locally and at low cost. I have no desire to own a larger bike. I renewed my CBT after the first two years and was intending to continue that process under the current rules. I have had no accidents in the past 3 years since I started biking and I'm an IAM advanced car driver. Now I'm potentially being told that I 'have to progess' and take the CBT+ as well. If someone is on the current 2 year CBT renewal system , I believe they should be able to continue as that's basically what they signed up for under rules at the time they purchased a bike.

I welcome it and wish it would be in now as i'm about to do my cbt and will have to do mod1 mod2 for direct access which is going to cost more money. I'm sure they will sort it out so it probably ends up costing the same as getting a full a license somehow though.

If they make the AM entitlement 125cc will that mean full car licence holders will be able to ride a 125cc without Ls as opposed to the 50cc as is the rule at the moments?

Excellent video, full of great information as always. I have a full licence sonit doesn't affect me, I do like the ideas proposed,it does seem to make it a bit cheaper, I've personally never understood the mod1, mod2 thing. As for those that will mean that they can't constantly repeat the CBT, just take the A1 and stay on a 125 . I hope some if not all this comes in especially the electric scooter licence, yeah they can be a total menace

I am not sure the new proposed idea is a good idea to be honest? Direct Access at 21? Definetely a no no!! There are already too many numpties riding around, this proposal it will be pure chaos!! If this ahead, god helps all!! 😁

I'm just starting my motorcycle lessons but been driving car in the UK for past 20 years and glad i found these videos as our UK motorbike license doesn't half make it complicated. Now I just need to work out CC power to KW power. Looking at a Honda Rebel or similar for first bike. No idea what 470cc equates to which license. I'm probably overcomplicating it

Jesus it's complicated today. When I took my test it was on a GT250 Suzuki, and all I did was ride round the block with the examiner walking the the route. I did one ride going left around the block, then one ride going right around the block. Just before I first rode off the examiner said that at some point he'd give me a hand signal from the pavement - he demonstrated the signal - and that then I was to perform an emergency stop, stopping before him. He gave me a ridiculous length of street to stop in, I thought he was taking the piss! I doubt the whole test took more than 15/20 minutes...

Net zero bs.. When China are 3000x more pouting than the uk

Thank god I done my test back in 1993, sounds like a right ball ache these days

Whilst I do agree with most of the changes, not being able to retake a CBT may put many people off - say for example you do the CBT and CBT+ .. you fully intend to get your full test done but cannot due to financial or medical reasons and as a result the CBT+ expires.. does that then mean you cannot re-do the test? basically stopping you from biking completely? if so then that would be ridiculous and say you have to fill out forms with a reason as to why you didn't do the test in the 2-4 years you had that will then just create more of a paperwork backlog and even more reasons many will say "fuck it" and not bother at all.. also imagine your CBT+ expired .. does that then mean you have to start from square one and do the first more basic CBT test again? they'd also have to lengthen the time the theory test is valid for to accomodate for those potential 4 years that people can ride a CBT/CBT+ on

Yes no more delivery drivers driving stupidly 😂

It's all robery

The power band changes are interesting. A 300cc Vespa GTS for example only make 23hp. A lot of classic scooters are 150cc and 200cc too but don't develop much HP.

looks to me, you only need to do the CBT plus if you don't want to do a official DVSA test, basically doing 3 cbts that probably will get progressively harder and you end up with a 22kw allowance? is that right? as under the A1 segment it doesn't say anything about a single event DVSA event but rather just says about the ATB assessment where as the others say about a single event DVSA event. 22kw is an intresting number as alot of the 250/300cc bikes are around that range. So i believe they're actually giving people these 22kw without going through the DVSA tests, just doing the ATB stuff.

So glad I got my bike licence back when it was simple. A 250cc on L plates, ride around the block test, and then ride whatever you liked. It was a great time to be young, not like today.

so, if i, at 19, under the proposal, wanted an A2, it would be theory, CBT, and test, but is there a minimum time between the CBT and the test or just whenever but before the CBT runs out kinda thing? im lost

Great video, super informative. Thank you!

Great video explaining everything, however one main question still not answered, when are we likely to see this change put in place if it even does get put into place?

That's interesting to know. I'm still on my first CBT which expires at the end of the month and I'm thinking about going for the A1 next

I mostly agree with the changes tbh apart from Direct access to unlimited bikes. I think as you said that could cause a spike in accidents. I like the idea of not having to spend a fortune to upgrade my A2 as I've been on that for a few years now and the only thing that stops me wanting to go further is the price. But I'm glad that the cbt changes might sort out the issues with these delivery drivers on peds flying in and out of traffic almost suicidally. Its dreadful near me and none of them wear proper gear too

LOL, I passed my test on a Yamaha XS850 with a 1950s sidecar grafted on for the learner phase. Riding with a sidecar was extremely tricky, accelerate the thing pulls to the left, brake and it slews to the right, right turns, no real problem, left turns, the sidecar lifts if you push it too hard. The best training ever, fast track to cautious riding.

Wow. Complicated! In Australia (specifically in Victoria) we have a graduated licencing system, but it is nowhere near as convoluted as what you are describing. Also, the capacity of the bikes is very different. We have a scheme called LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) in which motorcycles are rated specifically for learners. There is a list of approved motorcycles with power to weight restrictions and an engine capacity below 660cc. The old system used to be similar to yours, but it was not conducive to encouraging skill development. The new system starts at 18 years old and requires several 2 day courses and riding tests to be completed for firstly a learner’s permit, then a restricted motorcycle licence (probation is not required for car drivers who have completed their probationary period, but restrictions still apply). Once you have your restricted licence you can ride solo, with 0.00%BAC on any LAMS approved motorcycle. After 3 years the restrictions are removed.

Kin ell! I'm glad I passed my test years ago! I have three bikes, a Speed triple 1050, a KTM 300 EXC Enduro bike, and an old but fully rebuilt and tuned up by me Honda MT5 moped, weirdly I have the most fun on the ped! 🙂

The revised system seems to be pretty good in theory but in reality, not great. I have a full licence which pretty sure this wint effect me, but it means those using delivery scooters who can only just afford the insurance are going to get hit hard having to do tests along with the CBT, then get aa A1 licence, if they live paycheck by paycheck, that means that they either miss rent for a month or skip meals. I do like how theyre legalising e-scolters though, does me having a full licence mean i can have a 7000w e-scooter?

Back in the goo old days, I took my test on a Honda CB 200, passed then went out and bought a Kawasaki Z 650! Things were so much easier then.

Did DAS at the age 30 last year passed everything first time from theory to mod2. However took 1 extra mod2 training session

Am I right in thinking that proposed plan is if you are 24yrs+ you can’t do the full licence test until 2 yrs after doing CBT PLUS and not straight away like now (eg - possibly doing it all in a week if good enough)? If that’s the case many older riders won’t bother doing test if they lose 2yrs waiting.

I don’t live in the UK. Both systems described are ridiculously complicated……. Even the State of Victoria in Australia (known as the nanny state - first place in the world to make seatbelts and bicycle helmets compulsory) has a simpler system even though you need to be 18 to start. Look it up….

So my friend is 21 atm and doing their A2 next week from having their CBT for a year. So could they do their full A when they’re 22 under this new rule? Confusing

i been on a cbt for a year now, i think im a confident rider but i know if i was to hop on a 1200cc ide be out of my realm, the training course of a cbt is just that im still learning the basics after a year, but ide prefer to be safe than sorry, i get loads of younger riders want to go as fast as they can but track days are regular available so theres time and place for riding like a nutter, experience is more important than having fun is my point, once your experienced enough the fun will be better casue your already tuned into your bike and the mishaps that could go wrong like chain sliping at speeds and stuff that a new rider would panic about

I’ve got my theory test in November as I’m looking to get back in to riding after over 30 years ,maybe get a restricted used 650 ninja or 400 ,something sensible to start with ,after a long time away I’m a beginner again .What I find strange is you can ride a 50 or 125 with no theory of roads ,surly there should be a ltd theory test at least to be on the roads with any motor vehicle ,it doesn’t make any sense .

In Australia you have to complete a theory test to allow you to ride a LAMS approved restricted bike on L plates accompanied by a person who has held a full licence for a minimum of two years. You then take a hazard perception test and then a practical test, when you pass, you are then allowed to ride the restricted bike but not on L plates and without being accompanied for two years. Then if you wish you can take an unrestricted test to gain your full licence . age doesn’t matter it’s all about experience and tuition!

so after 2 years on a CBT plus, i do a final assessment and get my full license that way?

I rode on cbts, daily, all year round on a 125cc, previsional for 17 years 😅 the goal was always to do my tests or move to a car but year after year plans changed. Now in a car for past three years. I always found it mind blowing i was able to just do a very easy day course and ride for another 2 years. i got to a point where it would have been cheaper to get test for next bracket but its kind of mad to allow cbt after cbt with no theory or more lesson time. I like the idea of pushing progression/experience with a new system. I honestly dont think a cbt is enough for some riders. An 18yr (at the time) colleague of mine lost his life riding a 125, drove down the left side of a truck at a junction and it ran him over turning the corner. Luckily i had enough people around me to teach me about fuck around and find out when it comes to riding. In 17 years on a bike commuting and social, no right offs, no crashes with other motorists, came off 4 times, 3 weather related and 1 gravel track that took me by surprise, a sprained wrist(icey road) bruised back(again icey roads). Honestly, while i miss it a little at times, glad to be driving a car now 😅 would love to get bk to it later in life.

I have a full licence which allows me to ride a 50cc without L plates, will there be any changes to that?

on my fourth CBT retake, soon to be fith retake. my problem is every school i been to and enquired only have 125cc and upwards geared bikes (health problems mean clutched bikes are not for me) to pass the licences and NON have any automatic scoots from 125cc upto 600cc max cc scoots they have are for 16yr olds plus insurance goes up if i use my own scoot to take the test/cbt, so i have been stuck on a 125cc scooter with CBT due to i cant ride geared bikes and no schools cater folks that want to go the automatic route, they constantly try talking you into riding a geared bike and possible multipul fails in my case even when i have told them about my medical problems.

Some of us spent alot more than £700 on traning, I've hear the upgrade training is not 1 hour, but over 7 hours

I have full car licence since 1975 which also covers full moped and have done 1ooos of miles on 250 and 125 why would I need cbt ?

Back in the day i passed on a 250cc bike all i had to do was to ride around the block twice and the examiner just stood and watched me how things have changed

Think with the CBT and CBT Plus you can do the Plus whenever, you don't have to wait the 2 years, it seems what they're saying is that the CBT would be valid for 2 years, and the CBT plus would be valid for 2 years as well. Basically the same as it is now, doesn't seem like you have to hold a CBT for 2 years and a CBT plus for 2 years before you're even allowed to learn on a bigger bike than a 125

This is half the reason why I still haven't got myself a bike yet, I don't know where I stand with what licence I need to get first and then next steps to take.

My God !...... Certainly very different to my single test I did in 1982 on a very wet day on a Honda XL 125. ( I passed )

my thoughts about the new system is that there will be alot of cowboy schools that will just hand them out like sweets rather than actual do the proper test, and would then make the roads potentially more dangerous, as an ex instructor having experienced this with CBT scares me to think what will be on the road 'legally' having done the school assessment

If I'm understanding this correctly, you take your CBT, then take the CBT+. That sounds like it's more or less the same as a CBT, but on your bike/gear, and less need for certain basic training (because you already know it). So it's a training day with a little recap, and additional training inline with the mod 1/2 (which should then cost around the same as the first CBT). Then in 2 more years, you take the shorter competency test, and get your full A1 licence. Which if that is how it works, is perfect. Because the cost at each stage should be about the same, so poorer riders can progress their full license at an affordable rate. At which point, the 22KW increase is just a bonus. At least that's what I got from what you were showing us. But I guess we'll find out later (or we won't), if they implement it.

HAHHa just to muddy things further, what do you think is gonna happen to someone who passed A2 at 20. Have to wait until 22 and do MOD1 & 2 again now. All of a sudden do the assessment at 21? Or just the combined test. TBH I didn't mind doing MOD 1 then 2. I felt less pressure doing them one at a time. I'll agree the current system seems designed to put young riders off.

So looks like it's back to the old system, provisional (CBT) and one test, but being followed