UK motorcycle licences come in tiers based on age and power. You can either work up through them or, from 24, take a direct route to a full licence. Each tier needs CBT, a theory test and a practical test.
| Category | Minimum age | What you can ride |
|---|---|---|
| AM | 16 | Mopeds up to 50cc (max 28 mph) |
| A1 | 17 | Light motorcycles up to 125cc (up to 11 kW) |
| A2 | 19 | Motorcycles up to 35 kW (restricted power) |
| A | 24 (direct) or 21 (progressive) | Any size motorcycle, unrestricted |
Progressive access means moving up a tier after holding the one below for a set time — for example, from A2 to full A after two years on an A2 licence (which can bring the full-A age down to 21). Direct access lets older riders skip tiers: from 24 you can take the full category A test directly, provided you complete the CBT, theory and practical for it.
Whichever category you're aiming for, the route is the same shape: complete CBT, pass the motorcycle theory test, then pass the practical modules for that category. Move up a tier and you generally take a new practical test for the higher category.
Knowing your target category tells you the age you need and which practical test to take. The theory test itself is the same regardless of category — revise with our free mock tests and study plan.
Categories, ages and power limits are based on current DVSA/GOV.UK guidance and can change — always confirm the latest detail on GOV.UK before booking.
