Getting motorbike licence, best route

Best way? Impossible to judge really. For me I did my CBT then rode around on a geared 125 Honda for 12 months. Up Wrynrose pass and hardknott plus some commuting etc on it to get experience and then signed up for lessons plus test package to get full license.

Passed easily and the examiner commented on how easily I passed and knew I wasn’t someone who had just jumped on a bike the day before.

Yes, a direct access course.  Does exactly that.  My advice would be to do some advanced training within a year or so, as that's the point you think you've sussed it and you really haven't!  Bikes are huge fun, but you are vulnerable and as much training as you can get helps keep you safe.  Good luck, it is awesome fun!

, ie not a 250cc scooter

Oi! I have a 250 Yamaha scooter, they’re actually quite a hoot.

Just googled a direct access course. Looks like for 700 quid I can start from scratch and after 19 hrs hopefully have a full license?

I’m assuming you’d need to get all the kit first? Ie boots, jacket helmet etc. I’m assuming they provide the bike!?

Oi! I have a 250 Yamaha scooter, they’re actually quite a hoot.

Apologies!no offence meant! What I meant is I don’t really want to buy a bike then be upgrading after 12 months when I doubt I’ll be using it more than 20-30 times a year max

Oi! I have a 250 Yamaha scooter, they’re actually quite a hoot.

I've a half sized version of yours and it's great!

I’m assuming you’d need to get all the kit first? Ie boots, jacket helmet etc. I’m assuming they provide the bike!?

I think most direct access courses will provide helmets and basic kit.  But they will probably be a bit budget and putting your head in a helmet twenty other sweaty, pimply headed, greasy haired oiks have worn can be grim!  If you're serious, it might be worth at least buying your own helmet and having it properly fitted.

Kit yes but they will let you borrow helmet and gloves. Have a look on Ghostbikes for cheap kit or Race leathers Darwen.
And yes you’ll be on a 125cc first to do your cbt and then once you’ve done that it’s onto a 650 to practice for Mod 1 pass that and it’s usually a day or two of learning the test routes and practicing for Mod 2.

Yes it's worth doing the full big bike test, because it's the same test as doing the small bikes, just heavier, which unless you're tiny you'll get over quickly enough (well, maybe day 2 or 3 I progressed from wobbling round corners to 'tipping it in').

I wouldn't book a course though.

Do a CBT to see if you like the school and instructors, IME they vary massively.

I did one in Reading and they genuinely couldn't have cared less once they'd got the cheque.

Day 1, didn't have enough bikes for the CBT's.
Day 2, didn't have enough big bikes (broken down) on instructors (just piss poor organisation), so had to go to their other site 40 miles away, where they still didn't have any instructors, so we did some stuff in the car park.
Day 3, snowed, still went out, absolutely lethal conditions including sheet ice on all the side roads.
Day 4, "if you don't come in you forfeit the day", this was supposed to be MOD1 exam day, bearing in mind we'd had about 3 hours max on the road by this point, creeping round in the snow/ice. So after driving across the chilteren's in one of the other students Defender to get there, they canceled the day (wasting a days holiday as i may as well have gone into the office).
Day 5, technically MOD2 day, same as day 4, inspite of the fact I couldn't have done a MOD2 as I'd not done MOD1.

They re-booked it for later in the year, and low and behold I failed (they still didn't have enough instructors, and the bikes were still so badly maintained they were barely rideable).

Phoned up a guy in Darlington whilst I was working up there, he didn't normally do one off lessons, usually just did unlimited lessons until you could pass, but we agreed a half day rate, did a couple of those and passed with 1 minor that I swear the examiner made up as he was in a car and far enough behind I couldn't see him in my mirrors anymore! And his hire bikes were all immaculately maintained (apart from road rash).

Unless you are in a hurry or particularly want to do the direct access then just regular lessons might work better. One problem with the the week course is if you fail the mod 1 then you are probably done for the week as you can't sit the mod 2. Test centres around here seem to be booked out for months, you'd maybe get a cancellation but who knows. It is a fairly comprehensive test too, and as such can bring about a bit of pressure. Personally the weekly or so lessons and the spaced out tests worked well, I didn't do direct access but have seen people fairly stressed about it.

There are 4 stages:

1) CBT - 99% of people breeze through this and it gets you L plates
2) Bike Theory Test - similar to the car one. Lot of free resources and passing isnt difficult
3) Mod 1 - Basically a car park test, riding around cones, emergency stops, etc. This is where people mostly struggle
4) Mod 2 - Driving on the road test. If you have a car licence this is relatively straight forwards

Personally I'd just do them one at a time.
As others have said it takes the pressure off and a lot of instructors will recommend this approach too, as they have a bit more time to teach you how to ride safely on the road.
Whereas direct access is just getting you to a level to pass the test.

If you let us know where you're based, i'm sure someone can recommend good instructors.

as they have a bit more time to teach you how to ride safely on the road

This is a great point, all through my lessons I was taught roadcraft rather than just how to pass a test. Even after driving for years and cycling for years I learnt stuff.

Best? Cheapest? Quickest?

I used to work as a motorcycle instructor. To my mind, best is to do a direct access scheme. There's no benefit to limiting yourself to a smaller bike.

Get your CBT and a cheap 125 while you do your lessons, 9ne or two a week like you did for your car test.

Use the 125 as a tool to practice on, if you just hoon around on it and switch to learner mode just on your lessons, you'd be better off not getting the 125.

Don't rush to pass your test and when you look for a riding school, look for one that's not focused on the test. If you can ride a bike well, you can pass a test. Passing a test doesn't mean you will ride well.

Do your lessons through the cold wet winter months. You'll have your licence and big bike by spring and have a better time gaining a bit of experience before doing some advanced training in the autumn.

Personally the weekly or so lessons and the spaced out tests worked well, I didn’t do direct access but have seen people fairly stressed about it.

Conflating two things.

Direct access is the 'big bike' test. As opposed to getting an A2 licence. How you structure the course is upto you/the school.

You can do an A2 licence in a week but it's the same tests, just on the smaller/lighter bikes. Then wait for that restriction to expire before getting a big bike.

But as I said, I'd not do the 1 week course. Even just riding morning and afternoon gets quite tiring being buffeted about on a naked bike. You'd get far more out of it doing 6x half days training with the MOD1 after the first couple then the MOD2 timed to the end of the morning/afteroon) so you get an hour to warmup and get used to the conditions that day.

I did one in Reading and they genuinely couldn’t have cared less once they’d got the cheque

Probably the same bunch I tried.
One particular instructor was an arse, was giving me grief as I couldn't get the 'bike' to go fast enough in the small tennis court during the CBT. I ragged the crap out of it but I'm heavy and it was knackered.
I could do all the low speed stuff, just couldn't get the thing going fast enough to make him happy.
Was a crap experience

I've been thinking about this, but haven't the time for the intensive course and probably wont buy a bike anyway so wasn't going to bother, but I now think a few lessons might be fun in there own right and if it leads to a test then all the better.
So if I have a car licence which also covers mopeds do I have to take a theory test and do I still have to do the CBT?

So if I have a car licence which also covers mopeds do I have to take a theory test and do I still have to do the CBT?

Yes and Yes, although I’m not sure in that order. You 100% have to do a CBT every 2 years, but maybe only a theory test if progressing on to a full bike licence.

Well it won't do any harm, I just dont fancy the little bike,
If I get a license is renting a bike something you can do?

Personal experience was to go through CBT, then DAC - then go and buy a bike - a litre bike in my case but most folk jump on a 600 or similar.

Assuming you like yourself, be prepared to spend some decent cash on kit...

I did DAC, bought a big bike, stopped riding for 10years then bought an old GS - epic way of seeing the world....highly recommended

I now think a few lessons might be fun in there own right and if it leads to a test then all the better.

Exactly how I started. Figured, if I don't get on with it, it's a 'red letter day' type experience.

So if I have a car licence which also covers mopeds do I have to take a theory test and do I still have to do the CBT?

The 'C' in CBT stands for "compulsory."

When I learned I didn't need to do the theory test as a qualified driver, whether that's changed since I don't know.

Similar to some of the posts above, I'd suggest doing the CBT then regular lessons to get your full license in a few months.

I signed up for an intensive course and ended up quitting after passing the mod 1 test. The instructor was just an awful prick and I couldn't face spending any more time in his company.

After that I found a school I was much happier with and just did a couple of regular lessons before doing the mod 2 test. Was a much more pleasant experience and felt like I was actually being taught how to ride, rather than how to pass the test.

Probably the same bunch I tried.
One particular instructor was an arse, was giving me grief as I couldn’t get the ‘bike’ to go fast enough in the small tennis court during the CBT. I ragged the crap out of it but I’m heavy and it was knackered.
I could do all the low speed stuff, just couldn’t get the thing going fast enough to make him happy.
Was a crap experience

Lightning?

I borrowed one of their CG125's overnight from Oxford to ride back to Reading as I knew I just wasn't getting enough time on the bike. I don't think it hit 40 at any point on the trip! How anyone achieved an A2 MOD1 I've no idea, isn't the minimum speed through the swerve and emergency stop 31mph?

I signed up for an intensive course and ended up quitting after passing the mod 1 test. The instructor was just an awful prick and I couldn’t face spending any more time in his company.

Does seem like they're all from the same mold. Even the good ones can be a bit blunt! I guess the problem is there's always a race to the bottom as the bills are paid by churning through as many CBT's for Deliveroo riders as you can, as cheaply as you can.

I did my CBT, then commuted on a 125 for 6 months before doing 3 days of training, sailed through the mod 1 and mod 2.

Just provisionally booked my CBT in a couple of weeks in Chesterfield - anyone used Treskelian?

Thinking of getting something like this to pootle round on for a few months

I'd err towards sticking with the big brands Japanese brands like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki 125's, they'll have bulletproof reliability. But equally any popular 125 is easy to fix as so many of them get written off and stripped for parts. And you won't lose much, might even make a profit if buying privately at this time of year and selling in the spring.

I’d err towards sticking with the big brands Japanese brands like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki 125’s, they’ll have bulletproof reliability. But equally any popular 125 is easy to fix as so many of them get written off and stripped for parts. And you won’t lose much, might even make a profit if buying privately at this time of year and selling in the spring.

Yeah, that was on my mind, but it won't get that much use before I go for the full licence, Mutt are based in Brum - not some generic Chinese junk. And it looks cool af 😉

You haven't said where you're based. Who are your nearest instructors and do they have good reviews? Surely a quick phone call to them will answer all your questions.

I did mine with Bikesafe in Hillsborough and we spent most of our time in Chesterfield as that's where the test centre is. I did my CBT last July and passed my MOD 2 in November.

Waiting lists during Covid were astronomical and I'm not sure if they've came down at all yet. Luckily Bikesafe had the foresight to just pre book loads of blocks of everything, knowing they would have the students to fill them with. That means that when I passed my CBT, they had a pre-booked theory test slot for me. When I passed that they had a pre-booked Mod 1 ready for me and so on. I basically just turned up and did what I was told, paid around £800 and finished with a full, big bike licence.

I did really want a Mutt, until I went and borrowed one for 2 days. I agree they look cool AF and was totally suckered in but I know a few people who have them and they've put me off. They are absolutely generic Chinese crap with a hell of a marketing department.

As it turns out, I'm glad I didn't waste any time or money on a 125. I'm now watching loads of TET videos and dreaming about a CRF300l Rally.

Yeah, that was on my mind, but it won’t get that much use before I go for the full licence, Mutt are based in Brum – not some generic Chinese junk. And it looks cool af 😉

Ohh, they look cool, and the company is uk based, but they are Chinese made with cool looking parts bolted on.

They're probably not as bad as my first bike which was made in China too. The piston rings failed and spare parts were VERY hard to track down.

Lol, scratch that then

Whilst up at the Kylesku bridge this summer, there was a gang of folk doing https://mallelondon.com/rally/

They had set off from Lands End and were heading up the West Coast (including a loop through Wales) to get to John O'Groats. One lad was on a CRF250R - road legal MX tyres included. I had much envy of the lot of them, seemed to be having a ball

RIDERS REGISTRATION AT THE LIZARD – JUNE 18th
(THE MOST SOUTHERN POINT).

STAGE 1 / JUNE 19th – START LINE – CORNWALL & DEVON.

STAGE 2 / JUNE 20th – WALES & SNOWDONIA.

STAGE 3 / JUNE 21st – THE YORKSHIRE DALES.

STAGE 4 / JUNE 22nd – THE LAKE DISTRICT.

STAGE 5 / JUNE 23rd – SCOTTISH LOWLANDS.

STAGE 6 / JUNE 24th – SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TO THE FINISH
LINE AT THE CASTLE OF MEY (THE MOST NORTHERN POINT).

STAGE 7 / JUNE 25th – POST-RALLY RIDE – FLIGHTS FROM INVERNESS AIRPORT TO LONDON. MOTORCYCLES DELIVERED TO LONDON. FERRY BACK TO EUROPE FROM NEWCASTLE.

POST-RALLY FLIGHTS ON SUNDAY JUNE THE 26th FROM INVERNESS AIRPORT TO LONDON

I did a direct access course, 4.5 days and had my license on the last day.

However, the best thing I did was then sign up for a Roadcraft / extra lessons thing which the motorbike school, local Police motorbike squad and council were putting on for free. Mainly classroom based roadcraft lessons from a police rider but we all got a one on one ride with a police rider at the end. Learned loads from it.

The intensive courses never sounded like much fun to me. If you fail your mod 1 then you've lost your Mod 2 fee.

If you're in no rush most schools will run lessons based on something like a day of training to prep for mod 1. Test day (usually half a day) then a day of training followed by mod 2.

I did all mine with Phoenix who are a franchise but instructors always seemed nice and I never felt short changed or short of time on the bike.

I had a CBT and a 125 so I was already learning and the controls were subconscious by then so the above was no issue.

Being a mtb'er also helps understand the fundamentals imo.

Thanks for all the replies

The direct access course doesn’t sound the best option form what I’m hearing. The issue I have is I don’t want to shell out for a 125 for 3 or 4 months until I pass my test, seems a bit of a waste to do so (although I appreciate it’ll give me time on the roads which would help get my full licence)

I did CBT with son2 before COVID. Then passed theory on second attempt (kept identifying hazards too quickly! not uncommon with experienced drivers). Was planning DA but never happened due to lockdown. We did buy a YZF-125 for him to commute on, which I rode for a while before selling as he preferred my car. I'd still like an FJ1200 so am looking at options. Our nearest DA site is in West London and gets good reviews.

The 125 was fun, but I am sensible. The insurance was ridiculous - it's the most stolen motorbike in the country. Looked great in white too and I still have the kit including a nice Shoei white helmet and Alpinestars gloves and jacket.

DA without a helmet requires your to wear a balaclava. No thanks.

Just to clarify I wouldn't have bought a 125 if I had it in my head that I was going to do a DAS.

My original intention was to have a 125 for cheap commuting but that wore thin (lack of headlight/reliability on that old bike). It helped me learn but would have been fine to do the DAs without that experience. THe das may seem daunting but most people pass and looking back it was pretty easy

The direct access course

People are still conflating Direct Access with the 1 week courses.

Direct Access is just being over 24 and doing the test on a big bike.

The Standard test (A2) is the alternative that limits you to smaller capacity/restricted bikes.

You can do a 1 week A1 course, or a 1 Week A2/DAS.

Or you can spread them out over as long as you want, as long as the individual CBT, theory, MOD1 etc don't expire in the meantime.

It's called "direct access" as the "standard" motorcycle test (A2) is officially referred to as "progressive access", where you take the A2 test, then after a couple of years your license is upgraded.

I don't see a huge amount of point in not doing the DAS test if you're over 24. The difference between the 'big' bike allowed for the test and an A2 bike is marginal. So even if you intend to get an A2 bike, you may as well take the test on the only slightly larger 'big' bike.

[edited to get the numbers the right way around]

I didn't have that much bike time during the training. I think I did 3 hours of MOD 1 practice plus the time on the road to get there and back, another hour before the test and passed it. Same for the MOD 2. One 3 hour session (which was too much as it gets really uncomfortable) then an hour before the test. I remember the MOD 2 felt like it flew over. By the time you ride away from the centre and do a few manoeuvres, you turn around and head back.

Honestly, if you can ride a bike you can ride a bike. Hours and hours of pootling around on a 125 won't do you any favours and they're disproportionately expensive compared to bigger, better bikes.

The school had helmets and gloves but weren't using them due to Covid and to be fair, I'd much rather have my own. Cheap Bell helmet and Oxford jacket from sportsbikeshop.co.uk, some RST gloves from the local shop and I was warm and comfy without wearing all the sweaty old tat from the portacabin.

People are still conflating Direct Access with the 1 week courses.

Direct Access is just being over 21 and doing the test on a big bike.

What he said^. I did direct access and it took 5 months.

+1 thisisnotaspoon says.

DAS is going from zero to hero. Not to be confused with an "intensive" course.

My DAS took a couple of months to complete. I spent a year on a 125 before completing which was great fun - my little Honda CB125F was a cracking little bike and I sold it pretty much for the same price I paid.

My training school were also fantastic, I still keep in touch with them and they organise ride-outs for all ex-students.

I had two instructors with my school when I did the week-long thing, probably twelve or fourteen years ago now, and they were total opposite ends of the spectrum - Rick (I think) was fantastic, incredibly helpful and offering loads of good, pratical, accessible advice, the other guy (whose name I've blanked) was godawful. After two days with Rick and being quite happy turning in the road, Other Bloke insisted the best way to do it was not to get moving, get your balance and control happy, then make the U turn, but to start the U turn from stationary. I found it much, much harder, just had to go back to doing it the Rick way - job jobbed. Other Bloke also lost his bike keys literally as we were getting ready to go to the test, just to really add to the stress - I did the course with another chap who'd not ridden much before, and Other Bloke just destroyed his confidence over the two days we were lumbered with him, he'd failed long before we got to the test centre.

I did my direct access over about 4/5 weeks but that was after doing my CBT nearly 2 years prior.

I did buy a 125 scoot after my CBT for commuting on, but didn’t really use it in between lessons for practice on, you definitely don’t have to have one to get through your test. I’d pick a local school and just have a chat to them. Some are weird and only do intensive courses, some don’t do intensive courses. Just pick whoever suits you best, from the sounds of it youve done more riding than I had before I did mine and should be fine with reasonably minimal lessons.

The only bit of advice I wish I’d ignored would be “skip lower powered bikes because you’ll get bored”. Probably fine if you’ve been riding 125s for a couple of years first, but I didn’t enjoy my 650 once I’d passed my test and I’ve enjoyed riding more since I’ve stepped back down to a 350, especially when the weather is crap.

That might not be an issue if you’re only riding on sunny days for pleasure, but commuting on a bike you’re not comfortable on in shitty weather is not fun.

I'd definitely get the full license. I did a DAS course after my CBT. Think it was about 2/3 months from start to passing my MOD2. I'm on a Triumph Trident 660 with 'only' 80hp. I've had it 18 months and still not bored of it.

Back in the dim n distant past my local council did a 6 week 125 'road safety' course on a Saturday morning. It was great fun, get your CBT the first Saturday then the next 5 Saturdays you either did exercises in the school playground they used - slow riding race, u turns, etc - or a rideout to a local ice cream place. Was a brilliant intro to riding and meant that I didn't think about buying a little bike. Did my direct access soon after and have had bikes ever since.

However all that sort of stuff doesn't happen any more. If I was interested nowadays I think I'd probably book in for my CBT, buy myself one of these cheap 125 pitbike - supermoto and run it around for a bit. Great fun, cheaper than a (decent) pushbike, you'd figure out whether you're enjoying yourself - and you could probably flog it for what you've paid for it when you do your proper test, and gain a chunk of valuable experience in the meantime. Happy days!

Timely thread. Got my CBT on friday and have my theory booked for next week. Never ridden a motorbike before and I am slightly upset I have got to 50 before becoming a motorcyclist. My mum will still kill me when she finds out!

Been reading this thread, and it may not help some here (or me as had my full bike license from 1988) 😀

AM is for motorbike - mopeds. Can get that at 16 and can ride on L plates no bother.

But when in my day as soon as you hit 17, you could get a 125 and ride about on that. Now thats the A1 license?
So you cant - at 17, automatically get a 125 as you must get a CBT, theory and pass a test first before going on a 125?

ONLY AM (moped) is automatic on a license, and even then you still need a CBT to get one.

A2 is 30kW restricted for 2 years from 19 onwards

A is full bike license (unrestricted) from age 24, or 2 years elapsed from doing an A2 test.

You can do A2 and A in a DAS and acheivable in one week - zero to 'A2' restricted hero or 'A' unrestricted hero?

Its all very confusing.....

It's not that confusing for most circumstances, but the rules are written for all eventualities and it sounds confusing...

If you're over 17, doing a CBT gets you on a 125cc without further tests - but you display an L plate and resit every two years

If you're over 24, you do a CBT and a full licence course and you can ride whatever you want

If you're between 17 and 24 you can only ride a lower power bike after you pass you tests. To get on a bigger bike after 2 years or 24, whatever's soonest, you sit the Mod 2 again. That bit is the only ass...

i did my CBT. A few weeks later my Theory. Then a couple of months later a 4 day course. I did it all with a close friend, so we egged each other on. I seem to remember our test's were at the end of January, so not the best weather.

It all depends on the individual. By the end of the second day the instructor said we were ready for our tests, so spent the last day just riding around.

we did Mod 1 & 2 on the same day. Some places dont like doing this, as if you fail Mod 1, you cant do Mod 2. But you have paid for both, so dont see what difference it makes.

I managed to pass both with minimal minors. Which were mostly down to a bit of nerves.

I then rode bikes for a bit of commuting and social rides for about 2 years. It was good at the time, but for me personally i couldnt ride without giving it a big handful of throttle everywhere, so feared i would end up in big trouble with the law or under a lorry. Sold my bike and havent ridden since.

Would still love an S1000RR or Panigale, but its safer if i dont!

If you have more self control than i seem to, its a great experience and biking can be good fun!

@ iamtheresurrection I was reading this..... DVLA motorbike licenses

So at 17, you get an A1 provisional then.....

So at 19, do you get automatically an A2 provisional on your license?

(all subject to CBT)

The only thing you can ride on the road, without instruction, is a 125cc displaying L plates after you've completed a CBT.

To get on any other bike on the road, outside of lessons, you need to pass a two part test (Mod 1 and 2).

17-19, your pass gets you on a 125cc
19-24, your pass gets you on an A2
24+, your pass gets you on anything

To be clear, passing an A1 test doesn't get you any entitlement to ride a bigger bike after passing by displaying L plates, unless you're in a lesson. Completing a CBT doesn't get you on anything bigger than a 125, no matter what your age is.

I did the direct access and hired a 125 manual to get some training in. I really enjoyed it, went everywhere, the 125 did about 200 mpg I couldn't believe it.

I think we were a class of 5, all direct access, all passed.

Instructor was excellent, knew exactly what exams involved. Makes you a far better car driver too, you know what the bikers are doing.

I would say do DAS in the most expedient way possible, buy a bike and then ride it as much as possible and do some training with one of the organisations like ROSPA or IAM.

The fact you drive will be a major advantage over a 17year old who doesn't have any road craft/knowledge.

Take it easy let the experience and confidence come to you and don't chase it. Don't try and keep up with anyone more experienced/faster and you will be golden. You will be rubbish for a while, don't let that put you off, its a brilliant and fun thing to do.