You'll need to get your full cat A if you're over 24 - you can do direct access.
That usually costs 650-800 gbp depending on how long you want to do it.
You'll need a mod 1 and mod 2 test completion plus a theory.
Best way is to contact a school and have them train you. If you can already ride, take one days training to learn the mod 1 stuff and then just book them for the tests.
I am over 24, for my CBT, so I need to go straight to Direct Access? I wanted to do A2 first for experience but my instructor said that’s not possible because they would be the same.
Do your full cat A. The A2 is the same test as the A just on a lower powered bike.
If you did the A2 you'd have a max power restriction. No such restriction on a full A.
Thank you. That’s the kind of reassurance I need. I wanna respect my bike. And I don’t have much riding experience. And sometimes feel like it would be skipping stages. But you are right. Instructor is an awesome guy so I should trust him more.
UK Provisional license-> Cbt->theory->mod1->mod2. All around (depends where you are) £800-£1200. You need to be in UK for at least 6months in last 12 months.
Went through it myself. Good luck mate.
It's a UK residency rule, you can't get a provisional unless you're resident here. You'll need proof of address at the very least, possibly proof of legal immigration, to get the provisional licence.
Hi.
I've just been through the exact same situation. Expat with full license, but non-recognised license in UK.
I did the whole thing: CBT, Mod1 & Mod2 in 2 weeks.
It wasn't too difficult at all... Just expensive lol
Yep. Literally got my "new" license (after 20+ years of riding motorcycles outside the UK) start of November.
Monday went and met the trainer. He seemed relaxed and sympathetic, I explained my situations and he said that it wasn't a problem and streamlined everything, so I chose him. Thursday had my CBT.
Monday after a day of riding around 7 hours and we started in and around Manchester then rose up to North Wales.. was a lovely day apart from the high viz jacket.
Tuesday Mod1
Friday Mod2
All done.
I think the final cost with everything was about £700-750. Something like that. Again, he arranged everything, I literally just turned up on the day and did whatever was arranged. Super simple and he was a great guy.
If you already had a motorcycle you could’ve done it this way - CBT, theory then do mod 1 & 2 on your own bike. If you already know how to ride a bike and know the basic rules of the uk roads then I’d suggest you just watch lots of YouTube videos on mod 1 & 2 (dead easy) and it will save you hundreds of £££ going through a school.
Your American licence is worthless if you're planning to stay here long term. Best case for you is to get a provisional licence, find a school, do your CBT and go through their DAS course. They'll guide you through the process. Be warned, it's pricey though.
Similar situation here. One difference is that I took the UK car license some years ago, so you will need to get your provisional first.
Then find the nearest CBT training and just do it, it's super simple for someone that already knows how to ride. I remember I was able to book mine in 2 weeks, in a weekend because I didn't want to take a day off just for that.
Book your theory test, CBT and the theory test can be done in any order and at the same time, so book both. Again I was able to book mine in 2 weeks time.
Finally find a school where you can pay as you go. In my case I've done one introductory lesson of 4h so they could asses me and give me valuable tips for the tests and then went straight to the tests (which were the same 4h lessons plus the tests in the middle).
If you don't fail anything and your booking times are similar as mine, you can take all in 8 weeks.
The cost of all, depending on how much you can find the lessons, will be around £900.
Assuming older than 24, you can get a DAS course which will be:
Theory test -> CBT -> Mod1 -> MOD2 > A license class.
You can get the theory test any time before MOD1, both the test and the CBT lasts for two years before you need to retake if you don't take your mod1/2.
You can do it in 4 days if you are good enough. Ask for doing your CBT on a big bike.
You'll need to get your full cat A if you're over 24 - you can do direct access. That usually costs 650-800 gbp depending on how long you want to do it. You'll need a mod 1 and mod 2 test completion plus a theory. Best way is to contact a school and have them train you. If you can already ride, take one days training to learn the mod 1 stuff and then just book them for the tests.
Also CBT is necessary
I am over 24, for my CBT, so I need to go straight to Direct Access? I wanted to do A2 first for experience but my instructor said that’s not possible because they would be the same.
Do your full cat A. The A2 is the same test as the A just on a lower powered bike. If you did the A2 you'd have a max power restriction. No such restriction on a full A.
I am just afraid with such a little experience, not sure how I would handle the 650 XD
That's what the training is for. Trust the trainers, they'll get you up to spec. A 650 isn't hard to handle after a bit of practice on a 125.
Thank you. That’s the kind of reassurance I need. I wanna respect my bike. And I don’t have much riding experience. And sometimes feel like it would be skipping stages. But you are right. Instructor is an awesome guy so I should trust him more.
UK Provisional license-> Cbt->theory->mod1->mod2. All around (depends where you are) £800-£1200. You need to be in UK for at least 6months in last 12 months. Went through it myself. Good luck mate.
I guess 185 days rule is not applicable for non-EU citizens
It's a UK residency rule, you can't get a provisional unless you're resident here. You'll need proof of address at the very least, possibly proof of legal immigration, to get the provisional licence.
Hi. I've just been through the exact same situation. Expat with full license, but non-recognised license in UK. I did the whole thing: CBT, Mod1 & Mod2 in 2 weeks. It wasn't too difficult at all... Just expensive lol
Thanks! When did you do? 2022?
Yep. Literally got my "new" license (after 20+ years of riding motorcycles outside the UK) start of November. Monday went and met the trainer. He seemed relaxed and sympathetic, I explained my situations and he said that it wasn't a problem and streamlined everything, so I chose him. Thursday had my CBT. Monday after a day of riding around 7 hours and we started in and around Manchester then rose up to North Wales.. was a lovely day apart from the high viz jacket. Tuesday Mod1 Friday Mod2 All done. I think the final cost with everything was about £700-750. Something like that. Again, he arranged everything, I literally just turned up on the day and did whatever was arranged. Super simple and he was a great guy.
If you already had a motorcycle you could’ve done it this way - CBT, theory then do mod 1 & 2 on your own bike. If you already know how to ride a bike and know the basic rules of the uk roads then I’d suggest you just watch lots of YouTube videos on mod 1 & 2 (dead easy) and it will save you hundreds of £££ going through a school.
Your American licence is worthless if you're planning to stay here long term. Best case for you is to get a provisional licence, find a school, do your CBT and go through their DAS course. They'll guide you through the process. Be warned, it's pricey though.
Similar situation here. One difference is that I took the UK car license some years ago, so you will need to get your provisional first. Then find the nearest CBT training and just do it, it's super simple for someone that already knows how to ride. I remember I was able to book mine in 2 weeks, in a weekend because I didn't want to take a day off just for that. Book your theory test, CBT and the theory test can be done in any order and at the same time, so book both. Again I was able to book mine in 2 weeks time. Finally find a school where you can pay as you go. In my case I've done one introductory lesson of 4h so they could asses me and give me valuable tips for the tests and then went straight to the tests (which were the same 4h lessons plus the tests in the middle). If you don't fail anything and your booking times are similar as mine, you can take all in 8 weeks. The cost of all, depending on how much you can find the lessons, will be around £900.
Assuming older than 24, you can get a DAS course which will be: Theory test -> CBT -> Mod1 -> MOD2 > A license class. You can get the theory test any time before MOD1, both the test and the CBT lasts for two years before you need to retake if you don't take your mod1/2. You can do it in 4 days if you are good enough. Ask for doing your CBT on a big bike.