A, A1 and A2 Motorcycle Licences Explained

#The four categories at a glance

Every UK motorcycle licence falls into one of four categories. Each one carries its own minimum age, restriction on engine size or power, and progression path to the next step.

• AM: mopeds up to 50cc and 45 km/h. Minimum age 16.
• A1: motorcycles up to 125cc and 11kW. Minimum age 17.
• A2: motorcycles up to 35kW (47 bhp). Minimum age 19.
• A: any motorcycle. Minimum age 24 for direct access, 21 for progressive access.

You can hold a CBT certificate from age 16 and ride a 50cc on the road with L-plates, or from 17 a 125 with L-plates. Beyond that you need to take theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2 to get a full licence at the appropriate level.

#AM: the moped category

AM covers small mopeds: up to 50cc engine and 45 km/h speed limit. Minimum age 16. AM is included in any newer car licence (post-2001) automatically, so most people who passed their car test in the last 25 years already hold AM.

AM is not a useful step for someone who wants to ride a real motorcycle. It exists mostly for 16-year-olds who want a small commuter scooter and for older drivers whose car licence already covers it.

#A1: the 125 category

A1 is the smallest motorcycle licence. It covers bikes up to 125cc with a maximum power of 11kW (about 14.75 bhp). Minimum age 17.

A1 is the natural starting point for many young riders. You take CBT, ride a 125 on L-plates while you train, then sit theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2 on a 125. Once you pass, you can ride any 125-class bike without L-plates and carry a pillion. A1 is held by a lot of London commuters who never feel the need to upgrade.

#A2: the 35kW category

A2 is the middle rung. It covers bikes with a maximum power of 35kW (47 bhp), with the additional rule that the bike must not have been derestricted from more than 70kW. Minimum age 19.

A2 is the most popular UK licence category. The bikes you can ride are still proper motorcycles (Yamaha MT-07, Kawasaki Ninja 400, Honda CBR500R) but at a power level that is manageable for newer riders. Many A2 holders never bother upgrading because the bikes are good enough for everything they want to do.

You take A2 by sitting theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2 on a bike that meets the A2 spec. Most training schools have a fleet of restricted A2 bikes for exactly this purpose. The test bike guide covers the spec requirements in detail.

#A: the unrestricted category

A is the full unrestricted licence. You can ride any motorcycle with no power cap. There are two routes:

• Direct access (DAS): minimum age 24. You sit theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2 on a bike of at least 595cc and 40kW. This is the fastest route to full A.
• Progressive access: hold A2 for at least 2 years, then retake Mod 1 and Mod 2 on a full-power bike. Minimum age 21 (so you must have got A2 at 19).

Direct access is more popular among older riders (career people who waited to learn) and progressive access is more popular among younger riders (who started at 19 with A2 and progressed naturally).

#Choosing your path

The right path depends on your age and goals. The decision tree is straightforward:

• Aged 16: AM (moped only). Wait until 17 for any real motorcycle progression
• Aged 17 to 18: A1 if you want to ride a 125 unrestricted, or stay on CBT and L-plates if you might progress to A2 at 19
• Aged 19 to 20: A2. Most popular UK route.
• Aged 21 to 23 with prior A2: progressive access to A
• Aged 24 plus with no prior licence: direct access to A

There is no penalty for taking A2 first and then progressing. The only cost is the second Mod 1 and Mod 2 fee plus the training. Many riders prefer the slow path because it builds experience naturally.

#Keeping a licence valid

Once you pass your motorcycle test, the licence is valid for life until age 70 (when it must be renewed every three years). There is no requirement to take refresher tests or maintain hours.

CBT is valid for two years and must be renewed if you are riding on L-plates. Once you pass A1, A2 or A, you no longer need CBT.

#Cost comparison

Total cost from CBT to full licence varies by route:

• A1 only: around £1,200 to £1,800 (CBT, theory, training, Mod 1, Mod 2)
• A2 only: around £1,500 to £2,300
• A direct access at 24+: around £1,500 to £2,500
• A2 then progressive A: around £2,500 to £4,000 (two full sets of training and tests)

#How this fits with the test centre data

A1, A2 and A all use the same Mod 1 manoeuvres and the same Mod 2 road test format. Pass rates differ slightly by category, with A direct access candidates scoring slightly higher than A1 and A2 candidates on average. The Mod 1 pass rates guide covers the breakdown. For the wider UK test centre context, see the stats page and the easiest centres ranking.

Whichever category you pick, the practical test mechanics are the same. The bike you take it on, and your minimum age, are the only structural differences. The skills you need are identical.