Motorbike Licence

Nocaster

Hey,

I've had my full driver's licence (car) for about 5 years now but I want go get a motorbike now (1200cc). Do I need to get a small bike licence first, then go for the bigger one? If so, do i need to have the small one for a certain period before I can go for the bigger one?..Or alternatively, can I go straight for the bigger bike licence?

Thanks

sentient_6

From citizens information:

'Category A learner permits carry a restriction. This restriction limits the licence holder to motorcycles (with or without a sidecar) subject to a power limit of 25kW. This restriction continues for two years after you complete your motorcycle driving test for this category and after you have obtained a full driving licence for this category.'


Now i will say i dont have a bike but i did take a spin on a 600 a couple of times & it was a hairy experience. I think you be mental to start on 1200cc even if you could. & btw i havent a clue what 25KW is in cc & i cant seem to find how to convert it either. But i would hazard a guess its alot less than 1200!

Actually: 25 kW = ~34 hp, 1hp = ~16cc so i think your looking at a limit for the first two years of about 540cc.

DriveSkill

There is no direct calculation between the cc of the bike and its power output - there are too many other factors to take into account such as the engine configuration (v-twin v's straight-4 etc). However obviously the higher the engine CC the greater the power output - in general at least.

For a learner permit, as said you are restricted to a power output of 25 KW or about 33 bhp - there is also a power-to-weight ratio restriction. The only way to confirm if a bike is legal for a learner is to check the bike specs itself and confirm its power and weight. That being said pretty much any bike can be 'restricted' - this means you can take a 1200cc bike which may say output 50 KW power and restrict it back to 25KW - this is perfectly legal and you will get a certificate to prove it is restricted. One point to note is that insurance companies really only recognise 'factory restricted' bikes - i.e. bikes that come out of the manufacturer with the restriction on them. These are very common in the 600cc range (Bandit 600 etc), not sure that there are many factory restricted 1200s. If you buy an unrestricted bike and then get it restricted by a mechanic, generally speaking the insurance will still quote you as if it was the original power and therefore in a higher class. Reason for this is that aftermarket restrictors are easier to remove than the factory restricted bikes and insurance companies dont trust you

The rules on restriction remain in place for the complete duration of your learner permit and also for the first 2 years after you get your full licence.

Good luck with it but you will find it very difficult (and expensive) to get insurance on a 1200cc sports bike if that is what you are after. Better to start with a much smaller engine sports bike or else something like a cruiser which generally have less power.

Nocaster

Thanks for the response. I'm not looking at a sports bike though, its a 1200cc harley..dont need the 1200 but the bike i want only comes with that engine. However, the power to weight ratio is pretty low so i should be ok in that regard. So it seems that I can get a learner permit (is there a test required - or just the theory test?) and buy a bike once its restricted to the required power-weight ratio?

Thanks again

James_123

Yes you can.:)

DriveSkill

Nocaster wrote: »

Thanks for the response. I'm not looking at a sports bike though, its a 1200cc harley..dont need the 1200 but the bike i want only comes with that engine. However, the power to weight ratio is pretty low so i should be ok in that regard. So it seems that I can get a learner permit (is there a test required - or just the theory test?) and buy a bike once its restricted to the required power-weight ratio?

Thanks again

Hi,

You just need to do the theory test for Cat A and then once you pass that all you need is the usual documentation (eye-sight report, passport photos etc) and you can go get the Learner Permit!

A 1200cc Harley is definitely easier to manage than a 1200cc sports bike for a learner so good choice there One final piece of advice would be to ensure you to get an insurance quote before finally committing to buying the bike just in case!