Know before you ride
What motorcycle can you ride at your age?
Licencing rules in the UK are simpler than you think — once someone explains them properly. Whether you're 16 and itching to get on the road or 24 and ready to go full throttle, every age has a clear set of rules about what you can ride, and what has to wait.
At One Split Second, we believe informed riders are safer riders. So here it is — no jargon, no fuss. Just the facts, by age.
Age 16: Mopeds only
The road starts here. At 16 you can legally get moving, but your options are narrow. Before you ride anything, you must complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). It's a one-day course — not a test you pass or fail — that covers the basics of being safe on the road. Your CBT certificate lasts two years.
What you CAN ride:
MOPEDS UP TO 50CC.
MACHINES WITH A MAX SPEED OF 45KM/H (28MPH).
What you CANNOT ride:
ANY MOTORCYCLE OVER 50CC.
ANYTHING CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING 45KM/H.
ON A MOTORWAY — NO EXCEPTIONS AT THIS AGE.
The Rules: You must display L-plates at all times. You cannot carry a passenger. And your CBT must be valid — once it expires after two years, you cannot ride until you either retake it or pass your full licence test.
Age 17: 125cc — your first real step up
At 17, you unlock the ability to ride a 125cc motorcycle. You can do this in one of two ways: stay on a CBT with L-plates, or go the full route and take your A1 licence.
What you CAN ride:
MOPEDS UP TO 50CC (AM LICENCE OR VALID CBT).
MOTORCYCLES UP TO 125CC AND 11KW (14.6BHP) — WITH A1 LICENCE OR CBT.
What you CANNOT ride:
ANYTHING OVER 125CC.
ANY MACHINE PRODUCING MORE THAN 11KW (14.6BHP).
ON A MOTORWAY — UNLESS YOU HOLD A FULL A1 LICENCE.
The Route: An A1 full licence requires a theory test and two practical module tests — Module 1 is off-road manoeuvres, Module 2 is an on-road ride. Pass both and you lose the L-plates, can use motorways, and can carry a passenger. Riding on CBT alone keeps all the restrictions in place.
Age 19: A2 licence — real power, real responsibility
This is the first genuine jump. An A2 licence opens the door to proper motorcycles — enough performance to handle dual carriageways, motorways, and longer rides with confidence.
What you CAN ride:
MOTORCYCLES UP TO 35KW (47BHP).
BIKES WITH A POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO NO HIGHER THAN 0.2KW/KG.
A PROFESSIONALLY RESTRICTED VERSION OF A HIGHER-POWER BIKE — IF THE RESTRICTION MEETS THE SPEC.
ANYWHERE. MOTORWAYS, PASSENGERS, NO L-PLATES.
What you CANNOT ride:
ANYTHING PRODUCING MORE THAN 35KW (47BHP).
BIKES THAT HAVE BEEN DE-RESTRICTED AFTER BEING CAPPED DOWN — THAT'S ILLEGAL.
FULL-POWER MOTORCYCLES — HOWEVER EXPERIENCED YOU FEEL.
The Route: If you already hold an A1 licence, you skip the theory test — you only need to pass Module 1 and Module 2 again on a larger machine. If coming fresh, you'll need the theory test first, then both modules.
Age 21+: Full A licence — if you've put the time in
You don't have to wait until 24 for an unrestricted licence. If you passed your A2 at 19 and have held it for two full years, you can take your full A licence from age 21.
This is the progressive access route — and it's the fastest legal path to riding anything you want.
What you CAN ride:
ANY MOTORCYCLE, ANY POWER OUTPUT — NO RESTRICTIONS.
SUPERBIKES, LARGE TOURERS, ADVENTURE BIKES, CRUISERS — ALL OF IT.
What you need: Pass Module 1 and Module 2 again, this time on a bike producing more than 40kW. The theory test does not need to be retaken if it's still valid.
Age 24: Direct access — no waiting, no prior category needed
At 24, you can walk straight in and take a full, unrestricted A licence from scratch — no A1, no A2 required first. This is called Direct Access (DAS).
What you CAN ride after passing:
EVERY MOTORCYCLE ON THE ROAD. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO POWER CAP.
What you need: Theory test (if not already held) + Module 1 and Module 2 on a high-powered machine (over 40kW). That's it.
The one thing to understand: you still have to pass the tests. Direct Access doesn't mean a shortcut through the training — it means you're eligible to attempt the full licence without working through A1 and A2 first. Most people will still want proper tuition on a bigger machine before attempting the modules.
Quick reference: age vs what you can ride
16 — Moped (50cc / 45km/h max) after CBT
17 — 125cc / 11kW on CBT with L-plates, or A1 licence without
19 — Up to 35kW / 47bhp with a full A2 licence
21 — Full A licence if you've held A2 for 2 years
24 — Full A licence with no prior category needed (Direct Access)
Know Your Licence, Know Your Limits, Ride Safe.
This post reflects UK DVSA regulations. Rules are subject to change — always verify current requirements at gov.uk before booking a test or purchasing a motorcycle.