What Does a Full Motorbike Licence Cost in the UK?

Once you add up your provisional licence, Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), theory test, and both parts of your practical test, the full motorbike licence cost in the UK comes out to between £257.50 and £340.00.

Seeing it written down like that might seem like a lot. However, getting a full motorbike licence is a long-term investment that lets you ride safely at a more advanced level. While your CBT certificate will get you on the open road, it only lasts for two years, and your options as a motorcyclist are limited.

With a full licence, you have more choice over the types of bike you can legally ride, you can ride on the motorway, and you can carry passengers.

So, if you’re interested in getting qualified beyond your CBT certificate, you’re in the right place. Here, we break down the steps you need to take to get a full motorcycle licence in the UK and the cost for each one.

How much does it cost to get a motorcycle licence in the UK?

4 Steps to Getting Your Full Motorbike Licence

Step One	Steps Two & Three (Complete in either order)	Step Four
Apply for your provisional licence	Complete your Compulsory Basic Training and sit your motorcycle theory test	Sit your practical motorbike test
Online - £34. By post - £43.	CBT - £110 - £170. Theory Test - £23.	Module 1 - £15.50. Module 2 - £75/£88.50

1. Provisional Licence Cost (£34 - £43)

The first thing any potential new motorbike licence holder needs to do is apply for their provisional driving licence.

If you’re over 17, your provisional licence covers learning to ride or drive every type of normal vehicle, including mopeds, 125cc motorcycles/scooters, and cars. If you’re under 17, you can still apply for a provisional licence, but you’ll only be able to learn to ride a 50cc moped.

To apply for your provisional licence, you’ll need:

An ID document, like your passport or birth certificate
A list of the addresses where you’ve lived for up to the last three years

The quickest (and cheapest) way to apply for your provisional licence is online. It costs £34 and you can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, or Delta debit or credit card.

Once you’ve applied online, you’ll receive a confirmation email from the DVLA. Your licence should arrive within one week of applying (however, it can take longer if the DVLA needs to do any additional checks).

Alternatively, you can apply by post, although it’s slightly more expensive. Simply complete the D1 “Application for a driving licence” form, available from most Post Offices, and send it to the address on the application along with a cheque for £43.

2. Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) Fees (£110 - £170)

The next cost involved when working towards your full motorbike licence is your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate. This training makes sure you can ride safely on your own while you practise for your full motorcycle test.

After you’ve completed your CBT, you can ride:

A moped, if you’re 16 or over
A motorcycle up to 125cc (and with a power output of up to 11kW) if you’re 17 or over

You must use L plates for both, and if you’re caught riding without a valid CBT certificate, you can be fined up to £1,000 and have up to 6 penalty points added to your licence.

How much is a CBT test in the UK? The cost of Compulsory Basic Training can vary depending on where in the UK you’re doing it, the training school you’re using, and whether you bring your own motorcycle or moped.

Generally speaking, the price of CBT can range from £110 to £170 (and up to £249 in London). Most reputable and regulated training centres will include a full day of training, hiring a moped/motorcycle, and hiring a helmet, gloves, and waterproofs as standard.

Your CBT will be carried out among small class sizes so the instructors can focus more on progressing your ability.

Before choosing a training centre, shop around for the best deal in your area and check online for reviews from fellow learners. Find a CBT course near you.

Can you fail a CBT motorbike test?

No. CBT is not a test that you can pass or fail. It’s simply training to help you learn the skills you need to ride confidently and safely on your own before you sit your full motorcycle test.

However, while you can’t fail CBT, the certificate can expire. Once you have your certificate, you must pass your full test within two years. Otherwise, you’ll need to take the CBT again.

3. Motorcycle Theory Test Fees (£23)

Although we have this third on our list, you can take your motorcycle theory test as soon as you have your provisional licence (and before you’ve done your CBT).

You usually need to pass your motorcycle theory test before you take the practical test. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you passed a moped test after 1 July 1996 and want to take the motorcycle test on a category A1 small motorcycle, you won’t need to sit a motorcycle theory test. Who needs to take a motorcycle theory test, and how does it work? You can take the theory test when you’re:

16 and over, if you’re learning to ride a moped (50 cc maximum)
17 and over if you’re learning to ride a motorcycle

The test has two parts:

50 multiple-choice questions (you need to get at least 43 correct to pass)
14 hazard perception video clips (you need at least 44 out of 75 to pass)

You book and take both as a single test. You must pass both parts to pass your motorcycle theory test.

How much does a motorcycle theory test cost?

The motorcycle theory test costs £23.

You can book your test online. All you need is your UK driving licence number, an email address, and a credit or debit card.

4. Motorbike Practical Test Costs (£15.50 and £75/£88.50)

The final step towards securing your full motorcycle licence is the practical test.

There are several different types of motorcycle licence, each with its own eligibility criteria depending on age and bike category. These range from a Moped licence (AM) all the way up to an Unrestricted A licence. We explain what kind of motorbike you can ride under each licence type here.

No matter which licence you’re aiming for, each one requires a two-part practical examination of your skills as a rider.

How much is a full motorcycle test in the UK?

Module 1 is an off-road test and costs £15.50
Module 2 is an on-road test and costs £75 on weekdays and £88.50 on weekends or bank holidays.

You can pay for each part separately or for both at the same time. However, you must pass Module 1 before you can sit Module 2. If you don’t pass, you’ll need to book another date at least three working days away and pay again.

What happens during a Module 1 off-road motorbike test?

During Module 1, you’ll sit the test in an off-road motorcycle manoeuvring area. The test usually takes around 20 minutes, during which you’ll need to prove you can do the following:

wheeling the moped or motorcycle and using the stand

riding a slalom and figure of 8
a slow ride
a U-turn
cornering and a controlled stop
cornering and an emergency stop
cornering and hazard avoidance

You must ride at a minimum speed of 19 mph on a moped or 31 mph on a motorcycle for the hazard avoidance and emergency stop exercises.

If you pass Module 1, you’ll be given a pass certificate, which you need to take to your Module 2 test.

What happens during a Module 2 road test? Module 2 happens in various road and traffic conditions (although you won’t ride on motorways). The test typically lasts around 40 minutes and includes:

An eyesight check: At the start of the exam, you’ll be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres for new style plates (which start with two letters followed by two numbers), or 20.5 metres for old style plates.
“Show me, tell me” vehicle safety questions: Next, you’ll be asked two vehicle safety questions. These are known as the “show me, tell me” questions. In other words, you’ll need to show or tell the examiner how to carry out basic safety checks. For example, “Show me how you would check that the horn is working on this motorcycle.”
Road riding: You’ll then hit the road and be asked to carry out normal stops, an angle start (pulling out from behind a parked vehicle), and a hill start. The examiner usually follows you on a motorcycle and gives you directions using a radio.
Independent riding: Finally, you’ll have around 10 minutes of independent riding on public roads to assess your ability to ride safely while making your own decisions. During this portion of the test, you can’t use a sat nav. However, you can ask the examiner to repeat their directions, and you won’t fail if you go off route.

If you pass, you’ll be given a pass certificate, and the examiner will ask if you want your full licence sent to you. Give them your provisional license if you want to do this.

You can start riding without L plates as soon as you’ve passed your test. You don’t need to wait for your full licence to arrive.

If you don’t pass, you’ll need to book another Module 2 test at least ten working days away and pay again.

In summary

To recap, the cost of a full motorcycle licence in the UK comes out to between £257.50 and £340.00 (correct at the time of writing).

After this, you’ll need to factor in other expenses, like the cost of your scooter or motorbike, your helmet and protective gear, lessons, and insurance. To keep costs down, try to shop around for training centre quotes and consider purchasing second-hand gear if you’re just starting out, although we always recommend buying a brand new, properly fitted helmet which carries the BSI Kitemark.

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