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United Kingdom · Theory test

Getting a moped licence (category AM)

At 16 you can ride a moped on L plates once you’ve completed compulsory basic training (CBT). For a full moped licence, category AM, you then pass the motorcycle theory test and both riding modules on a moped. Car drivers may not need any of that, depending on when they passed their car test.

  • Up to 50ccEngine size of an AM test moped
  • Category QThe extra category that comes with AM
  • 1 February 2001Car test date that sets your moped rules
Where to study

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What counts as a moped?

Category AM covers two- or three-wheeled vehicles with a top design speed over 25 km/h (15.5 mph) and no more than 45 km/h (28 mph), plus light quad bikes. A moped used for the test also has a power output of up to 4kW. Older licences may show category P instead, for mopeds up to 50 km/h; GOV.UK says those riders keep what they had.

Moped licence steps

  1. Get a provisional licence that covers mopeds.
  2. Complete CBT. You can then ride a moped on L plates (L or D plates in Wales).
  3. Pass the motorcycle theory test. You can take it from your 16th birthday.
  4. Pass module 1 and module 2 on a moped with the same type of transmission in both.

In module 1 the fast exercises have a lower minimum speed on a moped than on a motorcycle.

Motorbike test module 1 →

Can I ride a moped on a car licence?

It depends on when you passed your car test.

  • On or after 1 February 2001: you get a full moped licence if you pass your car test and then complete CBT, or complete CBT and then pass your car test within two years. You can then ride a moped up to 50cc without L plates, for as long as your car licence lasts
  • Before 1 February 2001: you can ride a moped up to 50cc without L plates, with no CBT or moped test. The Highway Code still recommends doing CBT first
  • Anything bigger than a 50cc moped needs CBT, whenever you passed

From a moped licence to a motorbike

  • If you passed a moped test after 1 July 1996, you don’t need a motorcycle theory test for an A1 test or to move up under progressive access
  • If you got a full moped licence by passing a moped test since 1 December 1990, you don’t need CBT to ride a motorcycle
A1 motorbike test →All the licence categories →
Sources: GOV.UK and 6 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewWhere to learnBookingCostPass markHazard perceptionLicenceCBTRiding test

Licence categories

Moped (AM)A1A2Full A

Modules and training

Module 1Module 2Training

Theory test help

BooksCar vs bikeChanges

Where to take it

Test centresNorthern Ireland