FAQs A1/A2 Restricted Bike Licence.
What is a restricted licence?
A restricted licence is a full motorcycle licence where you are restricted
to what you can ride.
It comes in two styles
'A1' - take your test on a bike of between 75cc and
125cc with a top speed of less than 62.5 m.p.h. and you will be limited
to 125cc after your test with a maximum power output of 14.6 b.h.p.
In other words, a standard learner-legal 125cc unless you take another
test. Some popular bikes which will achieve this licence are (amongst
others) Vespa ET4s, Liberty's and Honda C-90s.
'A2' - If you take your test on a 125cc bike which
is capable of 62.5 m.p.h. or more, you can ride any size bike, as long
as its power output does not exceed 33 b.h.p. for two years and then
you can ride any size bike without restriction. Popular bikes which
will achieve this category of licence are amongst others) Honda CG125s,
Honda Dylan 125s and Gilera Runner 125s.
Who takes a restricted licence?
The restricted licence is the only licence option available to those
aged 17-20. It is also suitable for those people not intending to ride
anything too powerful in the immediate future.
What is 33 b.h.p.?
Unfortunately, there is no direct correlation between b.h.p. and CCs.
It is all about the power output of the engine. However, if the bike
you intend to get does exceed 33 b.h.p., you can get restrictor kits
for many popular bikes to restrict the power of the engine for two years
(a typical cost is £150.00).
What do I need to take the course?
You need to be in possession of one of the following licences to take
part in a full licence course. A full UK car licence, a provisional
UK car licence with valid provisional motorcycle entitlement (Category
A) an EU licence with valid UK counterpart (D58/2) showing provisional
motorcycle entitlement. If you hold the UK photocard licence, you will
need to have both parts of it, both the photocard and the paper counterpart
licence (D740). If you have the old style UK paper driving licence,
you will need to bring with you a valid passport as well. If you do
not hold any licence, licence applications forms can be collected from
larger Post Offices (form D1) or you can apply online here.
To take your practical test, you must have a valid motorcycle theory
test pass certificate and a valid CBT certificate. If you have not completed
CBT, you can do it as part of your course. If you have not passed a
motorcycle theory test, further information is available on the theory
test page. All documents must be original. We cannot accept photocopies