The type of licence you need

These pages include extracts from the DVLA's D100 leaflet called "What you need to know about driving licences". You can download the original document by following this link.
This leaflet and these pages gives general information. It is not a statement of law.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information reproduced is correct, Select All cannot not be held responsible for any inaccuracies.

Provisional licence for cars

If you have never held a driving licence you should apply for a provisional one. This licence will allow you to learn to drive. You must not drive until the licence arrives and comes into force.

16-year-olds applying for a first licence

If you are 16, you can apply for a provisional licence to drive cars but it is valid only from your 17th birthday.

Provisional licence for motorcycles

Since 1 January 1997, all learner moped and motorcycle riders must have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course before riding a moped or motorcycle. The requirement to complete CBT does not apply to riders who are:

• learning to ride a motorcycle and who have already got full moped entitlement as a result of passing a moped test on or after 1 December 1990; or

• riding a moped with full entitlement given automatically with a full car licence issued before 1 February 2001.

When you successfully complete a CBT course you will get a training certificate (DL196). (Certificates issued since 1 February 2001 are valid for two years). Keep your certificate safe because you will need to show it to the examiner when you take your moped or motorcycle practical test. You may also need to show it to the police.

You do not need to complete CBT if:

• you have already got full moped entitlement as a result of passing a moped test on or after 1 December 1990; or

• you have already got a full licence for one class of motorcycle entitlement and want to upgrade to another. For example, holders of A1 (light motorcycle) licences do not need to repeat CBT for another category of motorcycle.

If your full motorcycle licence limits you to riding automatics and you want to ride a motorcycle with a manual gearbox, you can only ride a motorcycle up to 125cc and you must display L-plates. For larger machines the Direct Access rules apply (see ‘Training for direct access’ on page 9). You will need to pass a further practical test but will not need to take CBT or a theory test. For more information on CBT visit www.direct.gov.uk/motoring or phone the Driving Standards Agency on 0115 901 2500.

Full car licence holders riding mopeds

Since 1 February 2001, a person passing a car driving test must complete a CBT course before they can ride a moped on the road. People who passed a car test before 1 February 2001 do not need to take training before riding a moped, but we encourage them to.

A ‘moped’ is a motorcycle that:

• has an engine up to 50cc; and

• is not designed to travel faster than 50km/h (approx 31mph).

If you have any questions about CBT or training for riding a moped, phone the Driving Standards Agency on 0115 901 2500.

Learner riders in the UK can have a motorcycle with an engine size of up to 125cc and a power output of no more than 11kW (14.6bhp). The power output of an engine is measured in kilowatts (kW) or brake horsepower (bhp). One brake horsepower is equal to 0.75 kilowatts. Engine size (capacity) is measured in cubic centimetres (cc/cm3). The size of an engine is not directly related to its power output. You can get more information from motorcycle retailers or manufacturers.

Important note

Riders under 21

A learner motorcycle rider under 21 can take either of the following two types of test.

• Subcategory A1 – a practical test taken on a bike of between 75cc and 125cc. This licence restricts you to any bike up to 125cc and a power output of 11kW.

• Category A – a practical test taken on a bike between 121cc and 125cc and capable of at least 100km/h (approx 62mph). This licence allows you to ride a machine of up to 25kW and a power/weight ratio of no more than 0.16kW/kg (where for every kg the bike weighs, the power of the bike must not be more than 0.16kW. So if a bike weighs 150kg, the power must not be more than 24kW. (150x0.16)) for up to two years. After the two-year period you may ride any bike.

Riders over 21

Learner motorcyclists aged 21 or over may choose either of the options open to riders under 21, or direct access

to larger bikes over 35kW (see below).

Training for direct access

So that learners aged 21 or over may practice for the test on large motorcycles, they may ride any motorcycle over 125cc but only when accompanied (on another motorcycle) by an approved motorcycle instructor who they can communicate with by radio. The practical test can only be taken by riders aged 21 or over and must be completed on a motorcycle of at least 35kW (46.6bhp). When this test is passed, the rider can immediately ride any size motorcycle without restrictions.

Exchanging your licence You can exchange your licence for a new one if you want to:

• add new categories to your full licence;

• remove out-of-date endorsements or disqualification details;

• add provisional motorcycle entitlement (this has automatically been included on driving licences since March 2002);

• change your paper licence for a photocard;

• change your non-GB licence for a GB one (see sections 13 and 14);

• change your photograph;

• change your provisional licence to a full licence (even if you have lost your licence or test pass certificate); or

• change your non-GB licence back to a GB one (see section 13).

If you still hold a paper driving licence you must now apply for a photocard licence by filling in application form D1.