Licensing

The licensing requirements for riding motorcycles can seem a little complicated. The government introduced new motorcycle licence laws which came into effect in January 2013. These licence requirements affect new riders who pass their test on or after January 19th, 2013.

Requirements for mopeds and scooters are dealt with in the moped and scooter section of this website.

A1 Licence

At age 17 years, after passing your CBT and theory tests, you can take a two-stage practical test to get an A1 licence. This enables you to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc (with maximum power of 11 KW) without L plates, and to carry a passenger.

After two years of holding an A1 motorcycle licence, you can take another practical test and if successful qualify for an A2 Motorcycle Licence

A2 Licence

At age 19 years, you can get an A2 motorcycle licence allowing you to ride a motorcycle or scooter with power up to 35KW (46.6 bhp). Machines you can ride will typically include those up to 500cc or a specially restricted version of a more powerful bike.

There are two ways to qualify for an A2 licence:

• If you have held an A1 Motorcycle Licence for two years you can take another practical test and obtain the A2 licence OR
• If you are aged 19 years or older you can take the Direct Access route by completing your CBT and passing your Theory and Practical Tests.

After holding an A2 Motorcycle Licence for two years you can take another practical test and get an unrestricted A Motorcycle licence.

Unrestricted A Motorcycle Licence

At age 21 years you can obtain an A Motorcycle Licence, allowing you to ride any motorcycle or scooter of any size or power. There are two ways to qualify for an A Motorcycle Licence:

• If you have held an A2 Motorcycle Licence for two years you can take another practical test.
• If you haven’t held an A2 licence for two years but are aged 24 years or over, you can take the Direct Access route by completing CBT, Theory and Practical Tests.

You are then allowed to ride any motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger.