Getting Your License

🏍️ How to Get a Full Motorcycle Licence in the UK

2025 Guide – Northampton Focus

Here’s a guide to answer a question that we’re often asked when we do roadshows around the region, “How do I get a motorbike license?”

To be clear, Northampton Advanced Motorcylists is affiliated with the Institute of Advanced Motorists, offering advanced training beyond gaining your full DVSA license.  A lot of riders value this higher level of training for their peace of mind, safety and confidence.  Many riders just setting out to get L plates make it a goal to become an Advanced Rider one day.  Some might also be doing it to reassure wife/mum/children too!

So, this guide breaks down the initial process from ‘never been on a bike’ to getting your license – depending on your age.  It explains your options, official government fees, and typical training costs – especially if you’re in or near Northampton.

🧭 Overview of the Motorcycle Licensing Path

The UK motorcycle licensing system is tiered and age-dependent, with multiple licence types. The primary routes to a full licence are based on age and experience, and are (despite Brexit) still aligned with the EU’s “progressive access system”.

The 3 Main Categories:

Licence Type Minimum Age Motorcycle Power Limit Notes
A1 17 Up to 125cc, max 11kW Light motorcycles only
A2 19 Up to 35kW Medium power bikes
Category A (Full) 24 (or 21 via progressive access) Unlimited Direct access to any bike

 

🛣️ Step-by-Step: How to Get a Full Licence

 1. Apply for a Provisional Licence

  • You need a provisional Category A licence to start.
  • ✅ Done online via GOV.UK

💷 Cost: £34 (online) or £43 (by post)

2. Complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

CBT is a one-day course that allows you to ride up to 125cc with L-plates. It’s not a licence, but it’s mandatory before any further training.

💷 Typical CBT Cost in Northampton: £140–£170
🕒 Duration: 1 day
✅ Certificate lasts for 2 years

3. Pass the Motorcycle Theory Test

  • Taken at a local test centre (e.g., Northampton or Milton Keynes)
  • Includes multiple-choice and hazard perception

💷 Cost: £23
✅ Book at: GOV.UK Theory Test

4. Choose Your Path: Licence Type & Test

Your age determines which licence level – i.e. what power of bike – you can go for:

A1 Licence (Age 17+)

 A2 Licence (Age 19+)

 Category A (Full Licence) (Age 24+, or 21+ with 2 years A2)

    • Bike: any size/power
    • This is the “Direct Access Scheme” (DAS)
    • Take both tests on a bike of at least 595cc and 50kW (67bhp)

 

🧪 Practical Test Breakdown

Module Description Fee
Module 1 Off-road manoeuvres
(slalom, figure 8, U-turn)		 £15.50
Module 2 On-road test with examiner £75 (£88.50 on weekends)

✅ Total Government Test Fees:
£113 (weekday) or £126.50 (weekend) 

💷 Total Government Fees Summary

Item Cost
Provisional Licence £34
Theory Test £23
Module 1 £15.50
Module 2 £75 (weekday)
Total
(Weekday Tests)		 £297.50

 

🎓 Training Costs in Northampton

To pass the tests safely and confidently, we highly recommend that riders take professional training.  Biking is brilliant, hurting yourself is not.

🏍️ Typical Motorcycle Lesson Costs:

Type Price (Northampton area, 2025)
CBT ~£150
Hourly lesson (1-to-1) £35 – £50/hour
DAS Course (3–5 days, incl. tests & bike hire) £700 – £1,100
A2 Course (3–4 days) £600 – £950

🛠️ Included in course packages:

  • Bike hire
  • Protective gear (helmet, jacket, gloves)
  • Fuel
  • Test booking & fees (sometimes included, confirm with provider)

 

🏫 Popular Local Schools in Northampton:

 Tip: Always check reviews and confirm what’s included in the course—some schools quote low but charge extra for tests, gear or bike insurance.

Karmenz Motorcycle Training
Billing Garden Village, The Causeway, Northampton, NN3 9EX
karmenzbiketraining.com

90-ONE Rider Education
The Obelisk Centre, 400 Obelisk Rise, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN2 8UE
90-one.com

Horizon Rider Training
The National Bowl, Gate 1, V4 Watling Street, Milton Keynes, MK5 8AA
horizonridertraining.co.uk

RideTo
Various locations including Northampton
rideto.com/cbt-training/northampton

Phoenix Motorcycle Training
The Ridgeway Centre, Featherstone Road, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5TH
phoenixmotorcycletraining.co.uk

On 2 Wheels Motorcycle Training
Lynford Way, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 9LZ
glenwilsonon2wheels.wixsite.com/on-2-wheels

Ridewell Motorcycle Training
23 Hesketh Road, Yardley Gobion, Northants, NN12 7TS
ridewellmctraining.wixsite.com/home

Camrider Kettering
Great Folds Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN18 9AS
camrider.com

Rider Training Brackley
7 The Sidings, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 7UG
www.ridertraining.biz

EZ Rider Motorcycle Training
MK City Football Club, Tattenhoe Lane, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 7RB
ez-rider.co.uk

Learn2Ride Motorcycle Training
The National Bowl, Gate 1, V4 Watling Street, Milton Keynes, MK5 8AA
www.learn2ridemotorcycle.com

 

⏳ How Long Does It Take?

Depending on your schedule and confidence:

  • Fast track (DAS): 4–7 days
  • Gradual route: Spread over weeks/months

You can go from CBT to full licence in under 3 weeks if you book promptly and pass everything first time.

 

🚦Final Tips

  • 🧢 Wear appropriate gear, even for lessons (some schools provide it).
  • 📅 Book your tests early—slots can fill quickly.
  • 📝 Take plenty of mock theory tests online beforehand.
  • 🛑 Don’t ride a big bike unsupervised until you’re fully licenced—it’s illegal, invalidates insurance, and frankly mental.

 

🧾 Summary of Total Costs (Typical Range – DAS, Full Licence)

Item Cost Range
Provisional Licence £34
CBT £140–£170
Theory Test £23
Training Course (DAS) £700–£1,100
Practical Tests (Mod 1 + 2) £90.50
TOTAL ~£990 – £1,400

 

🏁 Ready to Ride?

With some planning and commitment, you can get your full motorcycle licence in a matter of weeks. Northampton has several reputable schools and reasonable pricing—so there’s no reason not to start today.

 

🏆 Then What?

Once you’ve got a thousand miles or so under your belt after your DVSA test, why not consider enhancing your skills, confidence and enjoyment with further training?

  • The DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) is designed for those who’ve recently passed or are returning to biking:
    https://www.gov.uk/enhanced-rider-scheme
  • The IAM Roadsmart programme, as delivered by the Northamptonshire Advanced Motorcyclists, leads to the Advanced Rider certification.  The benefits?  Level up faster, ride safer, gain confidence, and have more fun in a friendly club environment:
    https://www.iamroadsmart.com/advanced-rider-intro/
  • The Police also run an excellent 1-day event called BikeSafe, intended to introduce participants to some of the advanced skills Police Motorcyclists achieve through their training:
    https://bikesafe.co.uk/northamptonshire/