There are different levels at to which you can be qualified to ride a motorcycle and each level means you can ride different types of motorcycle. Making sure you are qualified to ride the vehicle you are at that moment is very important for your safety and the road users around you. For example if you were trained to a basic level you couldn’t safely drive around on a road legal sports mototrcycle. The different levels of qualifications and the vehicles you can drive at that level are; basic level – at this level you can drive a moped this means a bike with an engine smaller than 50cc (doesn’t go any faster than 30mph).

The next level up means you can ride a scooter with learner plates on until you have done the CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) then you can ride without, a scooter is classed as anything with an engine no bigger than 125cc. When it comes to the size of full motorcycle you will be allowed to ride varies dependant on training you have had whether you have passed your CBT and the theory test and your age will also affect the size. You will more than likely be informed at the time of your test what size engine you can have and drive after the test is completed. Along with the theory test you will be expected to pick up basic road awareness such as the following:

• You will be expected to know how to anticipate other road users for example if some one was to be driving towards you and start to turn into side road that would cut straight across your route you would be expected to anticipate this and take the appropriate action whether that means letting them know not to drive across your path or avoid them when they do.
• If you are driving behind a car then you would need to ensure that you are not in a blind spot to the person in front of you. This means that instead of riding on the side of the road near the curb where you would be harder to see in the rear view mirror you need to make sure you are visible. Also with riding near the centre of the road you need to be sure you can be seen in their rear view mirror at all times if they can not see you clearly then you could be causing a possible hazard to you and the other drivers around you on the road.
• You need to learn to be assertive on the road as it’s when people are nervous and riding motorcycles that accidents happen. Making sure you know how to carry out all manoeuvres including cornering confidently is very important to how safe you are on the road, if you are unable to make decisions at the time you need to then you are more likely to find yourself having an accident if you come into a situation where you are required to do so.

Make sure you are fully qualified before taking a vehicle out on the road as it’s not just your safety you have to think about when driving on public roads. There is plenty of information online or at your local motorcycle centre on what tests you need to do exactly before being able to ride the motorcycle you want to.