Motorcycle Licence – Everything you need to know to get yours

Getting your motorcycle licence is the first step to get into the fantastic world of motorcycle riding. Why should you start with the permit and not with the vehicle? You have to learn the insights about motorcycles and about the rules to drive it in your own country. We did the hard work for you and put together this post explaining all the details about it. Besides giving all this information to you, I will also tell you about a couple of accessories that blew my mind. Read on and ride the way to your motorcycle dreams from the licence to various gadgets.

Motorcycle Licence in the UK

Motorcycle licence in the UK can open the door to some of the best roads on the planet. The highest category you can go for is A. This category will allow you to drive any bike you want. But before you get the permit, you are going to have to go through a lot of instances. Although it is not a complicated procedure, here is the clarification.

UK Motorcycle Licence – the CBT Course

First of all, before you think of this course, you have to be at least 17 years old. You can obtain the application form at the post office. The next step is to find a place that is convenient for you; these places are called Approved Training Body (ATB). The price for this course is mostly around £100 and £135. You will also receive a course motorcycle and a helmet.

However, you have to pay a lot of attention and learn how to drive your motorcycle. Last but not least, remember that by the time you have your motorcycle licence, you are no longer playing it safe. Roads can be dangerous, and it is better to be prepared.

Practical Test Mod 1 and Mod 2

Firstly, you need to pass a practical and theory test to have a full motorcycle licence in the UK. Passing these tests take a lot of studying and practising. Each of these tests consists of two parts. For them, you have to qualify in a series of tests called “Staged Access”. To check which are the ones you are eligible for are, you must check the official licence guidelines.

Mod 1 is a practical test that takes about twenty minutes. The topics included are:

• Using the bike stand
• Make a U-Turn
• Do a slow ride
• Test cornering and a controlled stop
• Ride through a slalom and an eight-number
• Test cornering and an emergency stop
• Test cornering and hazard avoidance.

Once you finish with Mod 1, it is time for Mod 2, which is a set of questions. Mod 2 also includes a 30-minute ride. The instructor will recheck your skills and give you full approval or disapproval.

UK Motorcycle licence – Final Note

To point out, the tricky thing for people 17 or 18 years old is that you can take the full test but only get A1 licence. This type of motorcycle licence will only allow you to ride 125cc, but you’ll drop the L-plates. Also, with this type of motorcycle licence, you can ride on the highway.

Motorcycle Licence in Canada

Canadian roads are among the best in the world, and the landscapes are breath-taking. In this northern country, you need to be sixteen years old to apply for your first motorcycle licence. Let’s take a look at what you need to get a Canadian motorcycle licence.

Motorcycle Licence Types

The M-Class is the one that involves M-1 and M-2, and with it, you can ride virtually any bike of any speed. It is what other countries call full-licence. The M with condition L is the smallest one you can get. To point out, it is suitable for driving mopeds and motorised scooters. For beginners, that want to take their first step towards being a good motorcycle rider, it is essential to start with this one.

The M with condition M is the motorcycle licence that you need for motorcycles that have three wheels.

There is an available full list of licences in which you can check which of these categories suit you.

Needed Documents

The documentation you need to apply for the motorcycle licence in Canada is not complicated:

• Firstly, you need to be at least sixteen years old. You will need to file different documents; depending on your condition. Canadian citizens need any ID including passport, citizenship with a card, Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card or Ontario Photocard.

• Permanent residents need the PR card, Ontario Photo card, record of landing or confirmation of permanent residence.
• Temporary residents can show a study permit or work permit. Also, they can show visitor record or temporary resident permit. Refugees can indicate refugee status claim, acknowledgement of intent to claim refugee status. Finally, temporary residents can confirm a report to the immigration act.
• Present the passing of eye-test.
• Last but not least, you need to file a certificate of passing the written test about traffic signs and rules of the road.

Motorcycle Safety Courses

Motorcycle safety courses are one of the needed steps for getting a motorcycle licence in Canada. If you do it and bring the referred envelope within six months, you can pass the M1 road test. However, by taking this safety course, you can take the second road test before the time od 22 months passes. If you take motorcycle safety courses, you can take the test after only 18 months. If going for the M2 level straight sounds excellent, then you should take motorcycle safety courses.

Book a Road Test

Booking a road test is for those who don’t have the certificate mentioned above. To book the test, you must present:

• You need to submit your preferred location for taking the test.
• A valid Ontario driver´s licence number.
• The date and time you prefer to have the test
• Two more options of location for the test.

Motorcycle Licence in Australia

Australia is a beautiful country with some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Can you picture the headlamp of your favourite bike lighting the way on the desert? If this sounds like music for your ears, then this is the correct place to be. Read on, and we will go step by step together through it.

Pre-Learning Training

This mandatory training has a cost of 85 AUD. It is a two-session of three and a half hours, and you can select the school where you wish to take it. Once you pass the classes, you will get a certificate from the school. After this, you have three months to use it.

Driver Knowledge Test

The preparation for the theory part of the exam is called Driver-knowledge test. The preparation for the exam will cost you around 42 AUD and is a mandatory part of the test in Australia. To point out, this is also the part of the test to which you’ll have to pay a lot of attention. Learning the theory is not a step to overlook. The more you know about the traffic rules, the more chances you have of being safe.

Learner Rider Licence

The first part is the theory exam, and once you have that certificate, you need to go through the practical exam. The timeframe to finish the actual exam is twelve months. However, if you don’t complete this part within the 12 months, you will have to do it again. The second requisite to have the Learner Rider Certificate is the one-day 6-hour course. This course will cost you 130 AUD.

Last but not least, you must remember that you have to have your motorcycle and helmet. Also, you need to pay 52 AUD for the right to the practical exam and 24 AUD for the Learner Rider Licence.

Licence Types in Australia

All the steps before were to get you to the certificate of competence. Once you have that document, you can choose between:

• P1 Provisional Motorcycle Licence: This is the motorcycle licence you get after the 3-months of the learner rider licence. It will last you for 18 months, and you can apply for P2 at 12 months. It has a cost of 54 AUD.
• P2 Provisional Motorcycle Licence: This licence lasts for 30 months and is the last step before the Full Motorcycle Licence. At 24 months, you can apply for the full licence. The P2 has a cost of 84 AUD.
• Full Licence: When two years go by (24 months), you can have the full licence, which means you are ready to cruise Australian roads. 

Motorcycle licence in the EU

Last but not least, let’s take a look at getting your motorcycle licence in the EU member countries. You can only apply for a motorcycle licence in the country where you usually live, but note, that you should live there at least 185 days. Besides that, you need to be old enough to drive the vehicle you want to drive. However, in some of the EU countries, these minimum age limits may be higher or lower, or there even might be some extra requirements. The EU also implemented a harmonised licence model and minimum requirements for obtaining a licence. Moreover, with this, the EU is planning on keeping unsafe drivers and riders off Europe’s roads. 

Conclusion

Although the procedure of getting your motorcycle licence in the mentioned states is different, getting it is essential to learn how to ride correct and safe. Take a good look at the requirements and be very responsible with your training lessons. Overlooking your security might turn out to be a road to disaster. Also, not being responsible with the licence might get you into legal problems. To avoid this, you need to be prepared, safe and understand all the directives you have to follow in public places.

Some essential things to bear in mind as a final comment:

• Remember that you are invisible to cars – This might not sound to you as a standard sentence, but you are invisible to cars. These big machines have blind spots in between the rearview mirrors. With this in mind, be extra careful and expect their manoeuvres to be as if they didn’t see you.
• Practice a lot in your bike – Riding a lot makes you a better rider; this is just the way it is. Make the most of your time and practice on the safest roads you can find. The more hours you spend on your ride, the better you will understand it.
• Get the right first bike – This might seem like a no-brainer, but it is crucial. If you get the wrong bike, you might be over your capabilities, and it can be dangerous. Aim for smaller bikes, start low and be very prudent.

Did you find this article helpful? Feel free to comment and let us know your insights on the subject. Also, share this article with fellow aspiring riders to help them on the way.

Happy riding!