do i need to take lessons to drive a moped?

[goonerboy]

i'm planning on buying a 125cc vespa to cut down on traffic jams & to save fuel.. I've had a drivers licence for years now but have no idea what i'll need to do to get my vespa on the road..

Do i need a special licence?

Do i need to take lessons?

please help if you can... many thanks in advance

[ursula62]

You need to take CBT (compulsory basic training) at the very least.

Once you have a CBT certificate you have up to two years to take your bike test, which nowadays includes a theory test as well as the practical (on road) test.

Even if you have a full car licence you still need to take a bike test and use L Plates on the bike before you have taken your tests.

If you have a motorbike shop near you, ask them for the local companies that run CBT courses. It is a day course. You start off in a playground or private ground, learning the controls of the bikes. You do 2 classroom sessions on law for motorcycle riders and basic roadcraft and then in the afternoon you get to go out on the road if you are good enough. (If not you have to retake the whole day).

Costs vary, but expect to spend around �125 including bike hire.

You don't need helmets etc as you can hire these from the bike school, but if you already have your own kit then you can use that.

Good luck!

[ursula62]

That law was changed in 1990. Now ALL motorcyle riders must take CBT, even those with a full car licence.

[ursula62]

Sorry, 1997 not 1990.

 

http://www.driversdomainuk.com/motorcyclist/law.php

[ursula62]

Here's the official DVLA site link:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm#1.%20Changes%20to%20the%20UK%20Learner%20Motorcycle%20Specification

[tubeway]

you do not need to take driving lessons or even have L plates to ride a moped - the problem is that a 125cc vespa is not a moped. A moped is less than 50cc, has pedals, is restricted to 30mph etc

If you have been driving for a while your licence will cover you for mopeds too - see www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm#1.%20Changes%20to%20the%20UK%20Learner%20Motorcycle%20Specification for the full details

[lethologica]

If you're not planning to take your bike test, it is probably worth bearing in mind that you will need to retake your CBT every 2 years.

I'm going for mine now, got a driving license, but I'd like the option for a bike, so... :)