Getting Started

The first stage on the road to becoming a holder of a full UK motorcycle licence is to acquire provisional entitlement for the vehicle you want to drive. In this case you can either apply for

• category A1 – a light motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 125cc and a power output not exceeding 11kW (14.6bhp))
• or category A - Motorcycles up to 25kW(33bhp) and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW / kg. Motorcycle combination with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW / kg.

You must be at least 17 years of age to acquire a provisional licence for a motorcycle (16 years for a moped – category "P"). If you hold a full car licence or a full moped licence this usually provides provisional motorcycle entitlement – check your licence for the specific category. Otherwise, you need to acquire application form D1 (previously called a D750) from your local post office. Once you have completed the form you will also need to include

• the appropriate fee (hyperlink pop up here)
• documentation to confirm your identity (click here for further details) (hyperlink pop up here)
• and a passport type colour photograph of yourself. The photograph must meet certain criteria and may have to be signed on the reverse by a suitable person (click here for further details) (hyperlink pop up here)

When you have all the necessary items forward them to the DVLA to the appropriate address shown on the application form.

You must allow up to 3 weeks for the DVLA to process your application and, if this is your first application for a licence, you are not allowed to ride until you receive your provisional licence and it comes into effect.