The procedures now for obtaining your motorbike licence in the UK is not simple.

Irrespective of whether you have a full or provisional licence, you cannot ride any bike over 125cc and 11bhp unless you have completed a series of tests.

In order to be able to ride any bike of any size (providing you are over 21), you need to complete what is known as the Direct Access route. This consists of:

To check out the complete situation, please refer to the DSA Website: www.dsa.gov.uk

This site explains the routes:
http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/fp_mikebarlow.htm

(1) The CBT Test

This is the Compulsary Basic Training - that must be carried out by an approved training centre. It takes usually one day and on successful completion will mean you can ride a 125cc bike under 11bhp on the roads - with L plates; no pillion passengers allowed, and you canot go on the motorway. If you do not progress to either the category A1 licence or the Direct Access inside two years, you must take it again. Testing is carried out by the centre tutors as part of the CBT day - and is a continuous test, including emergency stop and U turns - on and off the highway.
It is usually taken on 125cc bikes, but can be take on bigger bikes - espcially if you intend to progress to direct access.
Costs around £90

(2) The Theory Test

The Therory test is a series of 35 questions about roadcraft and the highway code. It is computer based and you must complete 30 out of 35 to pass. It is valid for two years, after which if you do not progress to either the category A1 licence or the Direct Access inside two years, you must take it again. Invigilation is by the DSA at a approved centre in your area.
Costs around £15

(3) The Direct Access route

This is a series of days training (usually) often carried out during an intensive week, at the end of which you can apply to take a test at an approved DSA testing centre.
Training MUST be carried out on a bike that develops more than 46bhp.
I would say from experience that the motorcycle test is a lot harder than the car test!!.. It usually takes about 30-40 minutes and is marked under a series of categories - such as bike handling and control, to use of brakes / positioning / hesitation etc.. you will be marked under each category as minor / severe / dangerous. You can afford 2 minor's in each category and still pass. A severe or dangerous is an instant fail.
Costs are about £400 - £500 for a direct access course. Testing currently cost £46.50.

We carried out our training at Mike Barlow Motorcycle Training - at Calow, next to the motorbike centre. I can recommend Mike to ANYONE!! - he is absolutely the most friendly, positive and patient man I have ever met, as well as being a superb trainer. He takes genuine pride in his work and went far beyond the call of duty in order to make our course and test. His details are to the right.. give him a call - you'll not regret it.

Clare is taking her CBT with Mike on 6th July 2002. (Updated 20th July 2002 - Clare completed CBT and purchased TW125 - here)