The first thing you need to ask yourself is: Do I need a scooter or do I need a motorcycle? This will help you get a bit closer to making the right decision on what two wheels are best for you. Remember – what you need and what you want may be two different things.

Scooters

A scooter is ideal if you intend to purely use it as a transport solution. It's easier to park than a car and you'll discover that short journeys will be a breeze - no more bus timetables or traffic jams! They also offer great puddle protection both front and below and have built-in storage to accomodate your helmet when parked.

Scooters come in many shapes and sizes from 50cc right up to 650cc. The 50cc engines (Mopeds) are restricted to 30mph – and due to legislation, is the only option to you if you’re 16 years old.

If you’re 17 or over, then your choices widen considerably. Scooters are easy to ride with ‘twist and go’ fully automatic throttles or in some cases ‘tip - tronic’. In either case you don’t have to worry about using a clutch – this makes scooters a very popular choice amongst new riders.

Scooters are brilliant to zip around town on and some of the bigger models can make longer out of town journeys, but need suitable roads. If it's the longer out of town journeys you want to do, then perhaps you should think about looking at a motorcycle instead.

Motorcycles

If you think you need something that will allow you to go out on longer rides, or commute longer distances, then getting a motorcycle could be the right thing for you to do. Here, the choices become even wider again – with engine size, physical size, style and price, all varying.

Motorcycles are by nature bigger than scooters, both in physical size and engine size. The choice of engine size is restricted by what type of licence you have. Category A licence holders are restricted to motorcycles developing 34bhp. Many manufacturers can offer bikes with this power output and some can restrict even bigger models to satisfy this legal requirement. After 2 years experience you can choose machines of any size and any power.

Whether you buy a scooter or motorcycle, the important thing is to choose one that fits your dimensions. Make sure your reach to the handlebars is comfortable and that your feet can be placed flat on the ground. It’ll all just add to a more enjoyable riding experience.

Taking your test

The first thing you have to do is get yourself a suitable trainer. Once you’ve chosen your CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) provider and booked your course - then we suggest you get familiar with the Highway Code. This will really help you.

Remember – the CBT can only be delivered by a Driving Standards Agency (DSA) approved training school, and all the ones we have recommended are approved trainers.

On the day

Before hand, your trainer will brief you on all of the following. For starters, wear something suitable for riding - don’t turn up in shorts and a t-shirt, even if it’s a hot day. Also avoid wearing trainers or soft shoes. A decent jacket, boots, gloves and jeans are the minimum. Another thing - make sure your helmet is in good condition. It should be free from any visible damage and have a secure fastener - if it's a poor quality your trainer may not let you ride. And remember it is a long day - so try getting a good night's sleep.

What the CBT involves

The course is divided into 5 main sections, which you’ll be assessed on.

There is no time limit, but each one must be completed before you can move on. So just relax and take each section one at a time. It’s really not that bad!

You have to spend at least 2hours on the road with your instructor, with a de – brief at the end of the ride.

This is what you could expect in each section of the CBT:

Introduction

This is classroom based. (Yeah – boring, we know – but very necessary!). The instructor will take you through what you could expect during the course, as well as cover all the legal aspects of riding on the road.

Practical on site training

This is where you’ll actually get into contact with the bike. You’ll be shown the controls and you’ll be taken through some of the basic checks that you need to do each time before riding, as well as shown how to start the bike.

Practical on site riding

This is where the real fun begins! You’ll move onto an off road area to start riding.

Starting off with learning how to use the clutch to take off, followed by some exciting things like emergency stops and turns.

Practical on road training

Now, it’s back to the classroom for a well-deserved break from riding.

You’ll get a pre–road ride briefing, covering the Highway Code, how to stay visible, speed control, road signs and how to ride defensively.

Practical on road riding

This is what you have been waiting for. You’ll be taken out on the road for a ride. Your instructor will start you off on quieter roads and then move you onto faster, busier roads.

Once your instructor feels confident that you are safe and competent to ride on your own, you will be issued with the DL196 (CBT) Certificate. Here are a few useful things you need to know about the CBT Certificate:

It is valid for 2 years

It entitles you to ride on the road unaccompanied while displaying L Plates

Your CBT certificate does not allow you to carry pillion passengers or ride on motorways

You will need to re-take the CBT if you do not pass both the theory and practical tests before the CBT Certificate expires.

 

A full car licence gives you provisional motorcycle entitlement although you must check that this is visible on your licence. You need to ensure that it shows Category A provisional motorcycle entitlement on your licence.

Mopeds Only

If you passed your car test before February 2001 you are automatically entitled to ride a moped without L Plates or taking the CBT (although it is always advisable to take this introductory training). You can also carry a pillion passenger.

If you passed your car test after February 2001 you automatically have provisional moped entitlement but you will need to take a CBT. The certificate is valid for moped use for the duration of your car licence. You will also be allowed to ride without L Plates and carry a pillion passenger.

 

Important things to note about a Provisional licence

If you hold a provisional motorcycle licence (Category A) or a full car licence issued after 1st February 2001 you will need to successfully complete a CBT Course before riding any moped, motorcycle or scooter on the road.

You need to apply for a Provisional Category A licence.

If you have a full car licence ensure that it has provisional Category A entitlement.

If you have a provisional licence issued at 16 years - make sure that it includes Category A entitlement and CBT.

If you hold a full car licence issued before 1st February 2001 you are entitled to only ride a 50cc restricted moped on the road without L plates and you can carry a passenger.

Passing your test

When you've completed the CBT you'll be given a DL196 form which you must produce before you can take the practical motorcycle test.

The DL196 has a 2 year life and if you don't pass both your theory and practical tests in that time then you'll have to take the CBT course again.

However before you can take your practical test you need to pass the theory test.

The theory test is made up of two elements:

the multiple choice part

the hazard perception part

You will need to pass both elements to gain a pass in the theory test. Only when you have successfully passed the theory test will you be able to apply to take your practical test. If you fail either section you will have to redo BOTH to pass the next time.

The multiple choice part is completed using a simple touch screen computer whereas you will use a mouse to complete the hazard perception part.

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for ie a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other test.

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Part one - multiple choice

You can practice for this element of the test by registering on line at

http://www.theory-tests.co.uk/home/

Here you’ll be able to test yourself to see whether you’ve done your homework and if you are ready to do the test for real.

Before you start the test for real you are given a chance to practice one last time just so you can get a feel for how the screen works etc – this is your chance to settle your nerves and relax so make the most of it.

The test for real takes 57 minutes and in that time you will be asked 50 questions. You need to get 43 or more correct to pass this element or 86% for those mathematicians among you.

Each question will appear on the screen and you will see several answer options – you select one simply by touching the screen. (Note; some questions require more than 1 answer.) If you don’t know the answer to a question or want to come back to it you can simply flag the question and return to it later. But don’t forget you do only have 57 minutes for the whole test.

Once you have finished the multiple choice element you can have a three minute break before going into the second element – the hazard perception test.

Part two - hazard perception

Before you go into this element you will be shown a short video about how it works.

As with the multiple choice element of the test this part is also delivered through a computer but this time your responses are recorded using a mouse.

You’ll be shown a series of video clips each of which contains a developing hazard i.e. one which gets more obvious as the clip progresses. Watch carefully though as one of the clips contains 2 hazards. Your job is to identify the hazard(s) and the earlier you do it the more you score.

The maximum you can score for each developing hazard is five points and you respond by clicking the mouse as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in you having to take some action, e.g. changing speed or direction.

Because this test is trying to judge your awareness you will not be able to review your answers – you won’t get a second chance on the road so you don’t here!

To succeed in this part you need to achieve a score of 44 or more out of 75, or 59%.

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you'll be asked a number of customer survey questions. You don't have to answer them if you don’t want to and they don't affect the result of the test.

When you have finished the test and have left the examination room you'll not be allowed back in and it’s at this point you'll be given your result.

Hopefully a pass.

DON’T FORGET – you need to take BOTH parts of your drivers licence with you – or if you have an old style paper licence you will also need your passport. No ID - no test!

Once you have the theory test under your belt you can go on to take the practical element of the test.

The Practical Element

The practical part of the motorcycle test has changed ever so slightly – this is due to European legislation since 27 April 2009. It’s known as The Second European Driving Licence Directive (2DLD) and was put in place to make for safer riding.

It’s not a massive change and won’t affect you a huge deal. All it means is that you have to do the practical test in two stages.

Module 1

This will be conducted off road at a Multi Purpose Test Centre (MPTC) and will cover the following parts:

Getting your bike on and off the stand

Controlling the bike when pushing it

The slalom (through 5 cones in a row)

The figure of eight

Circuit rides

Hazard avoidance

Controlled stops

The U–turn

Control at low speed

The emergency stop

Module 2

If you successfully get through your off road test, then you’ll have the pleasure of completing a pre–arranged road route, accompanied by your examiner. You’ll then be taken back to the test centre, where the examiner will take into account your performance on the test, before hopefully breaking the good news that you've passed.