1.1- Obtaining the Full 'A' Level Motorbike Licence

If, like me, the only thing you have ridden is a scooter, or you have zero experience with motorbikes, and you are over 25, this is your blog. I will take you through the steps I followed, the experiences I had, the overall budget, and give you some tips that helped me obtain the full ‘A’ licence in the United Kingdom.

The A full licence will allow you to ride motorcycles of any size/power, with or without a sidecar, and motor tricycles with a power output over 15 kW.

1.1.1- Steps to follow

• Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

  The CBT will allow you to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc with L-plates, but you can not carry passengers. It prepares you to manage the basics to ride on public roads.

  
  

  On the first day I had an introduction to the training, safety gear, and an eye test. I also had my first contact with the motorbike, and progress my skills with a two days training, where I practiced riding the bike in a controlled environment, focusing on basic maneuvers like starting, stopping, turning, and using the gears.

  
  

  The CBT is valid for two years, this could be an opportunity to practice on the road and it can safe you a bit of money on the following training's. Alternatively, if you are like me and your number of hobbies may stop you from loosing some momentum when starting new hobbies, then I strongly recommend follow all these steps straight away to avoid loosing efforts an money obtaining a certificate that may not be of use.

Note: The cost will variate upon the location and the training school. Also, I do not recommend undertaking your riding practices in trainers especially if these are textile, it hurts a lot.

• Theory Test

  The test is composed of two parts: multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception section. To get ready for the day of the test, I purchased this app on the month prior to the test day, and it costed me less than £6 for the month.

  

  In the app, you will find different categories for the multiple-choice questions, from The Highway Code to traffic signs. I will share my biggest revelation from taking this test. Have you ever realized that the studs on the road have different colors and purposes? Well, apparently fog is so common that these markers are essential for drivers to locate themselves on the correct lane of the road.

  
  

  For the hazard perception section, there are supportive videos that will correct you every time you miss a key risk on the road. There are also demos to help you understand how it works, which are very useful, especially if English is not your first language.

Note: To find the closest DVLA test centre, visit. Find the theory test centre - GOV.UK.

To book your test, visit Book your theory test - GOV.UK.

• Practical Test

  The practical test and training's are divided into two parts.

  • Practical Training Module 1- Off-road riding skills. I was evaluated on maneuverability skills in both first and second gear. The first gear exercises included handling the bike while stationary, slalom, figure of eight, slow riding, and U-turns. For the second gear, the tests involved a 35 mph avoidance exercise, a controlled stop, and an emergency brake. I hope the below Figure helps.

FIRST GEAR

SECOND GEAR

• Practical Training Module 2- On-road riding skills. To start the test I was asked some questions about the bike’s controls, and basic maintenance checks. See below the questions I prepared.

  

  

  

1.1.2- Budget

The cost of all together will variate upon your previous experience riding motorbikes, or the academy you use to support you, in my case I spent a total of £1,300 (incl. VAT)

STAGES	BUDGET	COMMENT
Compulsory Basic Training	£120 (Test), £120 x (£ 120 per lesson)	In my case I had two lessons on the motorbike before undertaking the test
Theory Test	£23	Incl. questions and perception test
Module 1	£15.50 (Test), £120 x 3 (£120 per lesson)	Each lesson is over 3 hr. Here I transitioned from a honda XX to a honda XX
Module 2	£75 (Test), £120 x 2 (£120 per lesson)	Each lesson is over 3 hr
TOTAL	£1,300 (Incl. VAT)

1.1.3- Tips

• Cost-saving

  Price vary, searching around to select the right training school may safe you few quids. The one I used is the Ride Academy in Chester (UK), which offers packages deal for multiple stages of training, also I used them from start to finish swapping between trainees in different stages.

• Lesson Learned

  Laminating my module 1 certificate brought me in travel.

• Sequence

  Some of these steps can be obtained parallel, so if you want to avoid loosing momentum you must be aware that you can book and undertake your CBT without having obtained the Theory Test, however, you can not undertake Module 1 if the CBT has not been obtained, or progress to Module 2 without Module 1.

• Gear

  I used most of the academy gear initially, it helped me to try different protective equipment's, understand what I felt more comfortable with, sizes I needed for different brands, and on getting their advice before purchasing my own.

  
  

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT I WENT FOR, TIPS TO SAFE MONEY, AND MORE, HAVE A LOOK AT MY NEXT BLOG.