This is stupid.

[newman]

Talking to a guy down the pub who had just passed his bike test he is 23yrs old.
We got talking about what bikes you can ride at different ages in the UK.
You can only ride bikes of a certain power at different ages, 16yrs,17yrs,19yrs,24yrs..
It's more complicated than this but this is the basic age thing.
I know the government is trying to cut accidents.
But the most stupid one is at 16yrs you can only ride a 50cc which does not go faster than 28mph.

How is the test thing over there in the US.

 

[TNTom]

I remember something about being able to get a license early if you were on 125cc or less, but I don't think that is the case anymore here.

 

[1busa]

We don't have anything like that over here. At least not that I'm aware of???

 

[IG.]

I am out in the state of NY. Here and as far as I am aware in other states as well, it's pretty simple... if you passed the written test and the road test, then you get a license and you can ride whatever you want... The land of the free... Emphasis on personal responsibility.

I would be curious to know if UK restrictions really cut down on accidents.

However, in UK motorcycles are used a lot for commuting. US cannot compare with that. Here in the US, a bike is more for pleasure riding. I was in London once, and the bikes were everywhere, probably in the same number as cars. I also like UK bike parking rules, which seemed to be pretty much anywhere as long as the bike doesn't block anything.

 

[newman]

When I passed my teat in 1977 you could drive a bike up to 250cc on learner plates.
And anything else when you passed your test.

Now.
2. Motorcycle licence requirements

If you have a provisional motorcycle licence, you MUST satisfactorily complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course.

You can then ride unaccompanied on the public road a motorcycle up to 125 cc, with a power output not exceeding 11 kW, with L plates (in Wales either D plates or L plates, or both, can be used), for up to two years.

To ride a moped, learners MUST:

be 16 or over
have a provisional moped licence
complete CBT training.

You can then ride unaccompanied on the public road a two-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), with L plates (in Wales either D plates or L plates, or both, can be used), for up to two years.

You MUST first pass the theory test for motorcycles and then the moped practical test to obtain your full moped licence.

If you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001 you are qualified to ride a moped without L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), although it is recommended that you complete CBT before riding on the road. If you passed your car driving test after this date you MUST complete CBT before riding a moped on the road.
Licence categories for mopeds and motorcycles

Category AM (moped) – minimum age 16

two-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed of 45 km/h (28 mph)
three- or four-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed over 25 km/h (15.5 mph), up to 50 cc and with a power output not exceeding 4 kW.

Category A1 – minimum age 17

motorcycles up to 125 cc, with a power output not exceeding 11 kW
tricycles with a power output not exceeding 15 kW.

Category A2 – minimum age 19

motorcycles with a power output not exceeding 35 kW.

Category A

unrestricted motorcycles with a power output over 35 kW (minimum age 24 under direct access, or 21 under progressive access)
tricycles with a power output over 15 kW (minimum age 21).

Progressive access is a process that allows a rider to take a higher-category practical test if they already have at least two years’ experience on a lower-category motorcycle. For example, if you have held a category A2 licence for a minimum of two years, you can take the category A practical test at age 21. There is no requirement to take another theory test.

If you want to learn to ride motorcycles larger than 125 cc and with a power output over 11 kW, you MUST meet the minimum age requirements, satisfactorily complete a CBT course and be accompanied by an approved instructor on another motorcycle in radio contact.

To obtain your full moped or motorcycle licence you MUST pass a motorcycle theory test and modules 1 and 2 practical tests on a two-wheeled motorcycle.

You MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger or pull a trailer until you have passed your test. Also see Rule 253 covering vehicles prohibited from motorways.
Law MV(DL)R reg 16

 

[VIPER]

here in the states it is regulated by each state you live in. To the best of my knowledge here in iowa there are no cc limitations..you pass the test your ride...have to be 16 to get your licence

 

[RedBusarider]

I know your not in the USA but we would cry foul if they tried that here.

Do they limit the size or HP on cars that you can drive too? IF NOT then that is UNFAIR regardless of IF they
think it cuts down on accidents or deaths.

Here In the USA I don't believe that they can PROVE that the size of a motorcycle is directly related to accidents and or deaths.
Meaning that the bigger the motorcycle the more accidents or deaths occur.

NOW I HOPE you didn't ride your bike to the PUB as that they could prove is a leading cause of accidents or deaths - drinking and then riding.

 

[newman]

You can drive any car over here when you have passed your test.

No didn't take my bike down then pub, don't drink and drive.
If I do pop into the pub I have a blackcurrant juice.

 

[Tony Nitrous]

Not sure about the rest of Australia, but here in Qld we have restrictions.

New riders take a test and are allowed up to 660cc and a certain horsepower.
There are a couple of smaller bikes like RGV250 and Aprillia 250 that you can't ride.

After a certain time a 2nd test gets you your open licence.
I've seen similar multi step licences in other country's.

I don't think new drivers are allowed V8's either.

It's not considered unreasonable here that the younger, inexperienced road users
have to build up experience before they go to big horsepower vehicles.

 

[Tony Nitrous]

Its think its also zero-alcohol for new drivers for the first 12 months whilst driving cars and bikes,
and zero-alcohol whilst in control of a truck, limo, taxi, tow truck, bus or car that's escorting a wide load.

 

[RedBusarider]

Its think its also zero-alcohol for new drivers for the first 12 months whilst driving cars and bikes,
and zero-alcohol whilst in control of a truck, limo, taxi, tow truck, bus or car that's escorting a wide load.

To bad we can't have Zero-Alcohol world wide as there would be WAY fewer accidents.

Problem is then all the Bars/Pubs would have to shut down as no one could drive or ride to them.
So if you lived within walking distances you would be their only customers. So I don't ever see that happening.

Here kids can't drink until their 21 years old. So if they get stopped with any Alcohol in them (before 21) they can lose their license.

 

[GsxrBots]

I wish they did this here. Not for making better riders or anything like that, just simply for the fact that you guys overseas get WAY COOLER BIKES than we do here.

Nobody here would buy a Gsxr400 or anything like that, but your guys have to so they make em. I'd love one.

 

[RedBusarider]

I wish they did this here. Not for making better riders or anything like that, just simply for the fact that you guys overseas get WAY COOLER BIKES than we do here.

Nobody here would buy a Gsxr400 or anything like that, but your guys have to so they make em. I'd love one.

I agree that they get different bikes overseas. Doesn't seem like we get bikes here that they don't get there - not talking about colors and graphics.
We (I) have never seen a GSX1400R here, right?

Makes me wonder if Tony could buy a bike (even in a create) and then sell it to us and have it shipped here to the States. ???

 

[StrtRac3r]

Where I have been, no restriction on cars even when on a learners licence. And as far as bike if you test on a scooter you get an m2 licence. If testing on a bike, you get an m1. The m1 has no restrictions on size or type. In California if your under 21 you must take a class, but once complete no restrictions.

I got my permit at 18 without ever riding ANY type of motorcycle. And the bike I rode on my permit which was my first bike was a 2002 gsxr 1000.

 

[Tony Nitrous]

When I lived in the UK, even before their new current multi step licences,
You were still restricted.

You can't legally ride without taking out insurance and for a new rider to try
a Hayabusa / GSXR1100 was either not possible or stupidly expensive.

Most folk went from a 125 or 250 up to a 500 / 600 / 650 and then on to
a 1000 or above. This gave you a history and no-claims with the insurance company.

Riding uninsured meant the risk of fines or losing your bike or licence.

 

[Tony Nitrous]

No one makes a real drama about the licensing laws here.
It's not seen as being against your rights or freedom,
It's seen as appropriate to keep young, inexperienced testosterone filled guys off
high powered missiles until they can prove them self.

 

[Tony Nitrous]

It's quite interesting comparing country's and their laws.

Last time I was in France I think the kids could ride 50cc bikes at 14
and 125cc bikes at 16.

We view our motoring restrictions similar to the way the US does its drinking age.
It's something we accept for its good, yet other are glad they don't have it.

Interesting topic.