Motorcycle provisional license

Damok72

Hi I have a full car drivers license but I'm looking at getting a 125 cc bike. Do I need to do a theory test and a new eye sight test or can I just get it added on to my full license?
I've been looking for the answers and it's not very clear so I thought I would ask here. Thanks.

Sonics2k

Largely depends on when you got your licence in the first place. Also, if you're over the age of 24 you can go straight for the A licence, there's no restriction on CC.

Damok72

Thanks for the reply. I got my full license around three years ago. I'm 46 years old now so age should not be a problem.

Sonics2k

I think you'll need to do the Theory Test, I think it was pre-2013 that allowed it to carry over, but I'm sure someone else will correct that.

You'll need to do the IBT anyway. Personally I'd recommend going for a bike around 600cc or so to start off with. There's a world of difference between a 125 and 600cc bike, but they're still easy to handle for a learner.

When you do the IBT the instructor will have a range of bikes you can use, from 125 upwards.

Damok72

Sonics2k wrote: »

I think you'll need to do the Theory Test, I think it was pre-2013 that allowed it to carry over, but I'm sure someone else will correct that.

You'll need to do the IBT anyway. Personally I'd recommend going for a bike around 600cc or so to start off with. There's a world of difference between a 125 and 600cc bike, but they're still easy to handle for a learner.

When you do the IBT the instructor will have a range of bikes you can use, from 125 upwards.

I only need the bike for a short run into work so a 125 would be enough as I'm only going into the city centre, but I would be better off taking the test on a bigger bike for in the future I could switch up in size.

Pugzilla

Once you try a bigger bike then you won't want a 125.

Del2005

Damok72 wrote: »

I only need the bike for a short run into work so a 125 would be enough as I'm only going into the city centre, but I would be better off taking the test on a bigger bike for in the future I could switch up in size.

I'd definitely do the A test and as said you can try a few instructor bikes. 125 will be fine for going into the city but a 400+ will give you more options if you want to go somewhere other than the city centre.

Sparky85

I recently got my learner permit through the pre 2006 loophole. Prior to October 2006 the theory test used to cover both bike and car.
If you have a pre October 2006 theory test on file you do not need to do another theory test. Anything post October 2006 and you will need do do another theory test for the bike.
If you call the NDLS they will tell you the date of your theory test.

colm_c

Also depending on your size, 125 can be very small and you'll look ridiculous.

There is also a lot to be said for road presence with a bigger bike.

95% of my bike is used for commuting into Dublin city centre and it's a 1200 cc bike, but for me the riding position, view and road presence is great, which I wouldn't get on a lot of smaller bikes.

ohnonotgmail

Sparky85 wrote: »

I recently got my learner permit through the pre 2006 loophole. Prior to October 2006 the theory test used to cover both bike and car.
If you have a pre October 2006 theory test on file you do not need to do another theory test. Anything post October 2006 and you will need do do another theory test for the bike.
If you call the NDLS they will tell you the date of your theory test.

presumably if you got your full B licence before 2006 but never had to do a theory test because they didnt exist at the time that you would have to do one for a provisional A licence?

D3V!L

Damok72 wrote: »

Hi I have a full car drivers license but I'm looking at getting a 125 cc bike. Do I need to do a theory test and a new eye sight test or can I just get it added on to my full license?
I've been looking for the answers and it's not very clear so I thought I would ask here. Thanks.

What height and build are you ? I'm going to echo what a lot of the others have said and dont start on a 125.

TheBlock

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

presumably if you got your full B licence before 2006 but never had to do a theory test because they didnt exist at the time that you would have to do one for a provisional A licence?

Correct, I was in that position.

draycottgirlz

Del2005 wrote: »

I'd definitely do the A test and as said you can try a few instructor bikes. 125 will be fine for going into the city but a 400+ will give you more options if you want to go somewhere other than the city centre.

Get yourself a Honda MSX125

SweetCaliber

Even if you only want a 125cc, you may as well go for the A license, just in case you want to go up in cc in the future. (you will, trust me.)

insomniac32

Sparky85 wrote: »

I recently got my learner permit through the pre 2006 loophole. Prior to October 2006 the theory test used to cover both bike and car.
If you have a pre October 2006 theory test on file you do not need to do another theory test. Anything post October 2006 and you will need do do another theory test for the bike.
If you call the NDLS they will tell you the date of your theory test.

Hi Im looking to get back onto a bike. Got a learner permit back in 2004 for both a car and a bike. Got the car licence but moved to Oz before taking the test for the bike. Where did you hear about this loophole? Cant find any infor anywhere but I would qualify for it. Otherwise looks like Ive to get a PSC in order to sit the theory test (Dont mind taking the test but the ID requirement is ridiculous. Dont know why I cant use my cat B licence as ID or my passport!?)

Sparky85

insomniac32 wrote: »

Hi Im looking to get back onto a bike. Got a learner permit back in 2004 for both a car and a bike. Got the car licence but moved to Oz before taking the test for the bike. Where did you hear about this loophole? Cant find any infor anywhere but I would qualify for it. Otherwise looks like Ive to get a PSC in order to sit the theory test (Dont mind taking the test but the ID requirement is ridiculous. Dont know why I cant use my cat B licence as ID or my passport!?)

The PSC was exactly the reason I wanted to avoid retaking a theory test!
I read about others here on boards that had used the pre 2006 loophole. I then rang the NDLS and asked what theory test they had on file for me, did it cover car & bike? Straight away they said yes covers both so just apply for the learner permit. Did that few weeks ago and the lady at the counter asked for my recent theory test cert, I told her to check her system and she will see my previous one is still valid as it covered car and bike. Job done no issues at all.
Start by ringing the NDLS and verify your previous theory test is on file and that it covers car and bike.

insomniac32

Sparky85 wrote: »

.......
Start by ringing the NDLS and verify your previous theory test is on file and that it covers car and bike.

Sound Ill give them a call

woody84

I'm in the same boat but went into this ndls feckers today and tutned me down on the bike permit.

insomniac32

woody84 wrote: »

I'm in the same boat but went into this ndls feckers today and tutned me down on the bike permit.

I rang them last week and the said my theory test from 2004 covers me for the bike permit so I don't have to do another theory test. Saves me getting a PSC which is the only thing I was concerned about.

woody84

I did mine in 2001 I think. But I did another theory test for the truck permit in 05/06 and it may be that someone in ndls messed up my records

galwaytt

insomniac32 wrote: »

Hi Im looking to get back onto a bike. Got a learner permit back in 2004 for both a car and a bike. Got the car licence but moved to Oz before taking the test for the bike. Where did you hear about this loophole? Cant find any infor anywhere but I would qualify for it. Otherwise looks like Ive to get a PSC in order to sit the theory test (Dont mind taking the test but the ID requirement is ridiculous. Dont know why I cant use my cat B licence as ID or my passport!?)

The PSC requirement is no longer valid.

woody84

Lodged a complaint with the RSA. Might make someone sit up and see that I am entitled to the permit without a cert. Obviously someone did something wrong when they have no record of the first theory test I did.