Motorcycling can be a pleasant and exhilarating experience, as well as an economical means of transport. However, the volume of traffic and faster, more powerful motorcycles make it essential, more than ever before, for riders to be ready to deal with the unexpected and question the actions of other road users. After all, it's in your interest to make safety your responsibility. Whether you' re an experienced motorcyclist or a new rider, you'll realise that riding not only requires skill in handling your machine but also the ability to 'read' the road.
Good observation and anticipation are essential to safe riding.

UK licence holders
You will need to take a theory test if you want a licence for a new category of vehicle, for example, if you have a car licence and you want a motorcycle licence you will need to take a theory test.

If, however, you want to upgrade within a vehicle category you will not normally need to take a theory test, for example, if you have a full automatic car licence and you want a manual car licence you will not have to take a theory test.

Please check with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) if you are unsure if you should take a theory test.

In the early days of motoring, motorcyclist testing and licensing was covered in the general legislation for driving tests and driver licensing.

After the war, the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1947 placed motorcycles in their own group, but testing remained almost unchanged until the 1960s.

In 1960 the Federation of National and One Make Clubs (FNOMC) was formed and renamed in 1965 to be known as the British Motorcycle federation (BMF). www.bmf.co.uk

Formed following a major increase in the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on the roads, it is an organisation by bikers for bikers.

In 1982 the BMF Rider Training Scheme was introduced establishing a network of training centres throughout the country