What am I licensed to drive?

Alkers

I have a full B license but the only categories marked in on it are B and W for some reason. When I was on my provisional I was licensed to drive a motorbike up to 125cc and mopeds.
Can I get these categories added to my current license or do I have to do another theory test or what?
I'm looking to get a moped in the next week or so as I can't justify the amount of cash it will cost me to put a car on the road and I'm gonna be away for 3 months this summer.
Thanks

Krusty_Clown

Someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know, you can get a provisional license for category A. You cannot add this category to your full license, as you have not completed a test for it.

However, I believe that holding a full B license entitles you to add category M to your license (mopeds up to 50cc).

Wishbone Ash

The regulations were changed a few years ago. You can go into your tax office and get category M added to your licence to enable you to legally drive mopeds.

colm_c

M being a moped up to 49cc

Steffano2002

colm_c wrote: »

M being a moped up to 49cc

Picky but accurate!

Wishbone Ash

colm_c wrote: »

M being a moped up to 49cc

Steffano2002 wrote: »

Picky but accurate!

Just to be even more pedantic:

All mopeds are by definition under 50cc. If it more than 50cc, it ain't a moped!

colm_c

What are Vespa 125s and those big burgman's classified as?

Steffano2002

colm_c wrote: »

What are Vespa 125s and those big burgman's classified as?

In my opinion they're classified as gay bikes!

colm_c

Steffano2002 wrote: »

In my opinion they're classified as gay bikes!

Agree with you on the Burgman's! But some of the old retro vespas can be cool.

murphaph

Sorry to anyone with a Burgman, i'm sure they're great at what they do but i think "Paedophile" when I see oul lads on them. Don't know why tbh.

I'm sure the OP would be better off getting a provisional A licence so she isn't restricted to 49cc yokes, even if it means doing the fairly easy theory test and that.

Alkers

I'm more concerned about having to don L plates on my jacket...

murphaph

Simona1986 wrote: »

I'm more concerned about having to don L plates on my jacket...

Well, I wouldn't encourage you to break the law but.....;)

Alkers

But I wouldn't be if I'm covered on my full license? Hopefully anyway, going to go up to the tax office on Monday and find out.

colm_c

Simona1986 wrote: »

But I wouldn't be if I'm covered on my full license? Hopefully anyway, going to go up to the tax office on Monday and find out.

You should be covered to drive an 'M' class vehicle aka 49cc moped (you'll need to go to the tax office and get your license updated). On a full B you can't ride a motorcycle (above 49cc), you need a Full A/A1 for that or an A/A1 learners permit.

Steffano2002

colm_c wrote: »

On a full B you can't ride a motorcycle (above 49cc), you need a Full A/A1 for that or an A/A1 learners permit.

You can't ride a "proper" motorcycle on a full A1 either. The above is misleading. IIRC A1 Licenses only cover up to 125cc.

I think the A1 should be scrapped TBH...

whatthe...

Im in a similar predicament. I used to drive bikes years ago and since converted to cars. Now I want to get back into a bike but my (provisional) license has expired. Was reading a thread elsewhere that I have to book another Theory Test and start all over again. Is this correct? I have a full B licence and 5 years NCB to go with this. I think if I have to do the Theory Test so be it, but its a little ridiculous considering the same ROTR apply to both cars and bikes alike.

Last bike was a TLR1000 but that was some years ago now. Even still...with all this restriction crap going on, I aim to get back on the 'proper' bikes and not the hairdryers with wheels if I can avoid them. Otherwise Id be better getting insurance on a scrapper, parking it up for 2 years and then jumping onto a bigger bike.

Idleater

You are allowed to drive any (Factory) Restricted big bikes.

colm_c

nereid wrote: »

You are allowed to drive any (Factory) Restricted big bikes.

You can ride any restricted bike not just factory restricted ones, although depending on the bike it might cripple the bike and make riding it not so much fun.

I'm pretty sure any 1000cc bike will be well over the restricted power-to-weight ratio required, there are a few decent bikes (restricted or not) that are legal for a restricted license.

Once you pass your test the two restriction applies whether or not you have or are insured on a bike.

As for getting your license - having a full B license counts for jack ****. AON (AXA) do give a discount though.

Idleater

colm_c wrote: »

You can ride any restricted bike not just factory restricted ones, although depending on the bike it might cripple the bike and make riding it not so much fun.

Yeah, sorry, I meant that but it is not as clear as I intended with my parenthesis!

AON/Axa are the way to go given your age and that you probably are going to keep your car. Factory restricted is much cheaper than a normal restricted bike.

Go with something like the SV650 and you will hardly notice the restriction (compared to a normal 650 rather than your TLR).

Do you still have the TLR perchance?

I'd love to see one of those "restricted" might even cure the wobbly rotary suspension.

Hotblack Desiato

Three points:

- Not all full car licences entitle you to ride a moped. You must have passed your test in Ireland and before approx. 2005. Licences from other EU countries do NOT entitle you to ride a moped here (unless they have class A or A1 on them as well.) Licences from other EU countries exchanged for an Irish one probably don't either.
If you passed your car test after the cut-off date for class M entitlement, you will have a 3 digit code on the back which (when looked up) will tell you 'no class M entitlement'.
They used to have a specific box for class M (it was on my first full licence, but not my renewal) which was a lot clearer!

- If your class A or A1 provisional licence lapsed less than 5 years ago, you can get it renewed. Very important if your old provisional was not restricted, you are entitled to NOT have the restriction on the renewal, and you won't have to do the bike theory test either.

- If you let your provisional lapse for 5 years, or your full licence for 10 years, you have to start again at the very beginning as a total learner, theory test, restrictions, L plates, etc.

Hotblack Desiato

One more thing. If you are riding a moped on a full car licence with Class M entitlement, it must be restricted to a top speed of 45km/h.