Driving Licence motorcycle entitlement

[PhilLew]

I'm about to sit my CBT and Direct Access course, My question, which I can't find an answer for anywhere is this.

When I passed my car test (1984) I had full moped and provisional motorcycle entitlement which it still shows on my licence. That was way before the two years on - one year off thing and way before CBT. Do I need to pass the CBT? has it's introduction superseded the entitlement I had or can I still ride a 125 with L plates as before?

I still intend to take the CBT to brush up on my skills as I've not been on a road bike for a few years but I think I don't need to legally, but can't find anything in writing (on the web) to prove it.

[WoWo]

You have to take a CBT as it is a requirement of a provisional bike license.

What you can do is ride a 50cc moped for as long as you like on a Car/CBT combination.

[Ethel]

I found this:

If you obtained your car licence before 1 February 2001 you do not need to complete a CBT to ride a moped.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAn dNewDrivers/RidingMotorcyclesAndMopeds/DG_4022 430

But phone them up - they will tell you exactly your position:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG _10011216

As far as I know, they can't take an entitlement off you (except under disqualification).

I would be very interested to hear what they advise you.

[neo680]

If you passed your car test before 01.02.01 (which you obviously did) you automatically gained full moped entitlement (Category 'P' on your license; a moped is less than 50cc, not able to exceed 30 mph). Therefore, you can ride a moped, no 'L' plates, carry a pilion (though unlikely on a 'ped!) until your 70th birthday (when your license expires). You do not need a CBT; as said, you have full moped license.
However. Anything bigger, i.e, 125 cc, is a motorcycle (Category 'A'). Whilst you have provisional cat 'A' on your license, it must be validated by a CBT, which lasts for 2 years. Then, & every 2 years, to ride a motorcycle you must re-do the CBT.
Obviously, when you pass your Direct Access, you will gain full cat 'A' & be able to ride any size bike. Give yourself enough time on the course & good luck!

[PhilLew]

Thanks all,

I eventually managed to speak to a 'real' person at DVLA but they weren't much help (I had to explain what CBT stood for).

Then got onto the Driving Standards Agency, their take on it is that all 'learner motorcyclists' must now pass a CBT no mater how long ago you first had the entitlement. There was a grace period of six years after the CBT came in where people who had life provisional entitlement (as opposed to 2 years on 1 year off) didn't have to do the CBT but that is now over and all provisional entitlement must be supported by a current CBT.

Ethel, Looks like they can change your entitlement retrospectivly, I was with you and thought they couldn't do that.

Oh well another argument lost, that will cost me a few pints next time I'm down the pub.

Got the CBT booked for Saturday so should be ok after that.

Thanks again

[WoWo]

Good luck, CBT is easy when I did mine there was this chap who was about 90 doing it at the same time, he literally nearly killed himself turning right at some traffic lights and he still passed :)

On the subject of the DVLA they don't know their arse from their elbow, I rang them up to see if I needed to take a theory test when I got my bike license (already had a car one taken before the theory test came in) they said I did but when I did my practical test they said I didn't.

[Ethel]

Thanks for reporting back, Phil.

:)