| Thinking of buying a scooter for the first time? Here | | | | Moped and Motorcycle tests normally consist of two |
| are a few things for you to think about. | | | | separate parts – a theory test and a practical |
| Getting on the road | | | | test. |
| Firstly you have to pass CBT (Compulsory Basic | | | | Finance |
| Training). This was introduced on 1 December 1990 for | | | | Buying a scooter on finance is a great way to be able |
| all new provisional licence holders of both mopeds and | | | | to get yourself on the road very quickly. However, it |
| motorcycles. All learner riders need to complete CBT | | | | may be worth working out if you can afford to pay |
| before riding on the road (with the exception of riders | | | | for it outright, as you may end up paying almost double |
| who have passed a full moped test since December | | | | what the bike is worth. Make sure you look into the |
| 1990). | | | | deal properly before you agree to it. |
| Full car licence holders qualifying after 1 February 2001 | | | | Power |
| must also complete a CBT course before riding a | | | | A 50cc scooter will reach a top speed of around |
| scooter on the road. | | | | 30-40mph. 100cc will reach about 50+ mph, 125cc will |
| CBT is not a test, and there is no exam - it's a day | | | | reach 60+ mph and 250cc 75+ mph. You have to |
| course of training that you are required to complete | | | | remember that if you’re riding on a provisional |
| satisfactorily and all test centres will try their hardest to | | | | licence you cannot ride anything more powerful than a |
| get you through it first time. | | | | 125cc. |
| Your CBT will last for 2 years and you must display L | | | | Theft |
| plates during the whole of this period. You may retake | | | | Theft has always been something to think about when |
| CBT before this period is up or you can go on to get a | | | | owning a scooter. It is so important to store your |
| full licence. | | | | scooter safely and always ensure it has some sort of |
| There are 3 categories of full licence to aim for: | | | | chain or lock on it. It has been known that people selling |
| Category P – moped. | | | | scooters have had phonecalls from |
| Sub-Category A1 – light motorcycle licence, | | | | “buyers” organising a time to view the bike, |
| which restricts riders to any bike up to 125cc and a | | | | then not turning up and coincidently the bike being |
| power output of 11kW. | | | | stolen within the next few days. |
| Category A – standard motorcycle licence. | | | | |