Motorbike Test Changes on 19th January 2013

Can anyone explain in good old simple English what the changes mean to the test? I know that its changing on 19th January 2013 and I know that people over the age of 24 are not affected and can still the direct access but what about younger riders?

What does 'an engine power output not more than 35 kW' equal in bhp?

[daveyrach]

35kW is equivalent to 46.9BHP

They are introduces new categories and merging others, main changes to motorcycles are as follows:

Riding mopeds, motorcycles and tricycles
Under the new rules for mopeds, motorcycles and tricycles there will be four categories:
AM - mopeds
A1 - small motorcycles and tricycles
A2 - medium motorcycles
A - all motorcycles and tricycles
Your entitlement to ride the different categories will depend on your age and experience.

This link explains it all pretty clearly: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...sing/DG_201188

[yorkie_chris]

So you can't ride a 125 on L plates any more?

My question is what will you be able to ride without a driver's licence?
I know you can do electrically assisted bicycles (which are decent). What is the highest IC powered thingy that you can ride without a licence? Seeing as mopeds used to fill this category before and not anymore now?

My question is so that we will know what to stock for when we get a temporary ban...

[yorkie_chris]

Basically they're removing any chance of cheap transport to work for young people as they'll have to go through all the full licence b*llocks.*

What happens to people with a current CBT?


Do you need a CBT to do the A1 test? Is it going to be the full mod1-mod2 thingy?

What a convoluted load of sh*te!



*The MAG site here
http://www.mag-uk.org/en/campaignsdetail/a6986
suggests that the current CBT system will still be in effect. Not sure what the A1 category will do then other than force 17-19 year olds onto the motorways on weaving, gutless 125s instead of restricted 600s!

[daveyrach]

My son wants to do his CBT as he turns 16 in December, the way I read it is that the CBT will still be in effect but for anything bigger than a 50cc ped you need to do some sort of formal training, so I guess no 125's on L plates.

You would have to do the A1 at 17 then wait till 19 to do the A2, then still do the another test at 21 after 2 years experience to get your A entitlement so in effect 4 tests from 16 up to 21 for unrestricted access., what a load of carp!

[yorkie_chris]

Actually it doesn't specifically say that you NEED the A1 licence to ride a 125.

As it is now you could get the A1 licence, to let you ride 125s, just that nobody bothers because it's the same test to get the A2.

[daveyrach]

It does, says CBT covers up to 50cc and below 4kW

A1 Min age is 17 and bike up to 125cc or 11kW

A2 Min age is 19 'Medium' Motorcycles up to 35kW

Cat A Min age 21 with 2 years experience, or 24 with no experience.

Does make we wonder why cars aren't restricted in the same way?!?

so with my A licence I have nothing to worry about, buy my mate who has a a1 licence and currently has a zx6r restricted will have a2 licence as his two year restriction will not be up by then, which also means he needs to take another test to be on a full licence??

[ophic]

Originally Posted by nikon70

so with my A licence I have nothing to worry about, buy my mate who has a a1 licence and currently has a zx6r restricted will have a2 licence as his two year restriction will not be up by then, which also means he needs to take another test to be on a full licence??

Current definition of A1:
A1: Light motorcycles with an engine size of up to 125 cc and a power output of up to 11 kW (14.6 bhp)

So he's not allowed to ride a ZX6R either now or after the changes.