TL;DR — A CBT lets you ride a 125cc on L-plates for two years; it is not a full licence. A1 is the full licence for 17-year-olds on bikes up to 125cc. A2 is the full licence for 19+ on bikes up to 35kW (47bhp). Full A (via Direct Access) is the unrestricted licence for riders aged 24 or over. If you are 24+ and want any bike on the market, go straight to Full A via DAS. If you are younger, you step up.
This is the question we get asked more than any other at our motorcycle training school in Warrington, so here is the proper answer — written for people who just want to know what to book.
Quick comparison table
| Licence | Min age | Bike size | L-plates? | Carry passengers? | Motorways? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT (DL196) | 16 (50cc) / 17 (125cc) | Up to 50cc moped or 125cc motorcycle | Yes | No | No |
| A1 | 17 | Up to 125cc / 11kW / 0.1kW per kg | No | Yes | Yes |
| A2 | 19 | Up to 35kW (47bhp), restricted | No | Yes | Yes |
| Full A (DAS) | 24 (or 21 with 2 years on A2) | Any motorcycle, unrestricted | No | Yes | Yes |
What is a CBT and is it a full licence?
A CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) is not a licence. It is a one-day training course that gives you a DL196 certificate valid for two years. With it, you can ride a 125cc on L-plates on the road. You cannot carry passengers, you cannot use motorways, and after two years you either take a full licence test or you re-do the CBT.
Most riders treat the CBT as either a permanent solution (a 125cc on L-plates is plenty for commuting and delivery work) or as a stepping stone to a full A1, A2 or Full A licence.
CBT costs from £225 at On Your Bike, with the bike, helmet, jacket and intercom included. Book a CBT in Warrington here.
What is an A1 licence?
The A1 is the full motorcycle licence for 17-year-olds. To get it, you need a CBT, a passed motorcycle theory test, plus Module 1 and Module 2 practical tests on a 125cc bike.
With an A1 licence:
- You can ride a 125cc motorcycle with no L-plates.
- You can carry pillion passengers.
- You can use motorways.
- The licence is permanent — you don’t have to retake anything in two years like with a CBT.
A1 is ideal for 17-year-olds who want a more grown-up alternative to the CBT route and the freedom that comes with no L-plates and pillion privileges.
What is an A2 licence?
The A2 is the licence most adults under 24 end up with. The minimum age is 19. You can ride bikes producing up to 35kW (47bhp), and the bike cannot have been derestricted from something more powerful than 70kW.
That sounds limiting, but in practice plenty of capable bikes are A2-compliant straight from the factory: the Yamaha MT-07 LAMS, Kawasaki Z650, Honda CB500F, KTM 390 Duke, and many others. Plenty of people stay on A2 forever and never want anything bigger.
After two years on an A2, you can take a much shorter “progressive access” test at age 21 to upgrade to Full A.
What is Full A (Direct Access)?
Full A is the unrestricted licence. Any bike, any size, no restrictions. The minimum age via Direct Access (DAS) is 24. The minimum age via progressive access from A2 is 21.
For DAS, you train and test on a bike of at least 595cc producing at least 40kW — typically a Honda CB650R, Yamaha MT-07, Kawasaki Z650 or similar. Same Module 1 and Module 2 tests as the other categories, on a bigger bike.
So which one should I take?
The honest answer depends on three things: your age, the bike you want to ride, and how much you want to spend now versus later.
If you are 16: CBT on a 50cc moped is your only option until you turn 17.
If you are 17: Most 17-year-olds take a CBT first to see if they actually like riding before committing to A1 testing. If you know you want a full licence, A1 is the right route — no L-plates, full freedoms, lifetime licence.
If you are 18: You’re stuck on the CBT route until you turn 19 — there is no A1.5. CBT + L-plates is your year.
If you are 19–23: A2 is the natural target. CBT and ride on L-plates for a year if you want experience first, then take A2. You can upgrade to Full A at 21 (if you’ve held A2 for two years) or wait until you’re 24 for the full DAS route.
If you are 24 or over: Go straight to Full A via Direct Access. No reason to take A2 first unless you specifically want a smaller bike. The training is the same length either way.
If you only want to commute on a 125cc: A CBT is enough. You don’t need a full licence at all. Just renew every two years.
If you only want to do delivery work (Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat): A CBT is enough. Most riders do nothing else.
Decision tree
How old are you?
├── 16 ───────────────► CBT on a 50cc moped
├── 17 ──┐
│ ├── Want freedom + no L-plates? ─► A1
│ └── Just trying it out? ──────────► CBT on a 125cc
├── 18 ───────────────► CBT on a 125cc (no other option)
├── 19–20 ─┐
│ ├── Ready to test? ────────────► A2
│ └── Want experience first? ────► CBT, then A2 later
├── 21–23 ─┐
│ ├── Already on A2 for more than 2 years? ──► Progressive Full A
│ └── Not yet on A2? ────────────► A2 now, Full A at 24
└── 24+ ──────────────► Full A via Direct Access (DAS)
Cost comparison (typical 2026 prices)
| Route | Training cost | DVSA fees | Total (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBT only (every 2 years) | £225 | £0 | £225 |
| A1 (from a CBT base) | £400–£800 | £113.70 | £500–£900 |
| A2 (from a CBT base) | £500–£1,200 | £113.70 | £600–£1,300 |
| Full A via DAS (from a CBT base) | £1200–£1,500+ | £113.70 | £600–£1,600 |
| Progressive A (after 2 years on A2) | £200–£500 | £113.70 | £300–£600 |
DVSA fees breakdown: Theory £23 + Module 1 £15.95 + Module 2 £75.75 (weekday) = £114.70 total. Weekend Module 2 is more.
Training costs vary based on how many hours you need. Riders with significant existing experience usually pay the lower end; complete beginners stepping up to a 650cc will be towards the top.
Is the test the same for A1, A2 and Full A?
Yes — same Module 1 manoeuvres, same Module 2 on-road test, same examiner standards. What changes is the size and power of the bike you ride. Module 1 on a 650cc feels meaningfully different from Module 1 on a 125cc, which is why training time scales with bike size.
Can I skip A1 and A2 and go straight to Full A?
If you are 24 or over, yes — Direct Access (DAS) is exactly that route. You skip the smaller categories and take Module 1 and Module 2 on a 600cc+ bike. You still need a CBT and a theory test first, but you don’t need to have held A1 or A2.
If you are under 24, you cannot skip to Full A. The minimum age for Direct Access is 24. Younger riders take A2 first and either wait until 24 for full DAS or upgrade at 21 via progressive access.
Ready to start training in Warrington?
If you’re in Warrington, Runcorn, Widnes, Wigan, St Helens or anywhere across Cheshire, On Your Bike is our family-run motorcycle training school based at Thelwall Parish Hall, WA4 2SX. We train every category — CBT, A1, A2 and Full A via Direct Access — with DVSA-approved instructor Angela (also a certified IAM Advanced Rider) and her experienced team.
- CBT from £225 with bike, helmet and jacket included → Book online
- A1, A2 and Full A quoted after a short chat → Direct Access info
- Call or WhatsApp 01925 551 555 if you’re not sure which route fits you. We’ll talk it through with no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between A1 and CBT?
A CBT is a one-day course that gives you a two-year certificate (DL196) to ride a 125cc on L-plates. An A1 is a full lifetime licence on the same size of bike with no L-plates, the right to carry passengers, and the right to use motorways. To get A1 you take a theory test plus Module 1 and Module 2.
Can I take A2 without taking A1 first?
Yes. A1 and A2 are separate licence categories — you don’t have to step through them in order. Most adult learners go straight to A2 once they turn 19, skipping A1 entirely.
Do I have to start on A2 if I’m under 24?
If you want a full motorcycle licence and you’re under 24, yes. There’s no Direct Access to Full A below 24. You can ride a 125cc on a CBT or A1 (under 19) while you wait.
What’s the difference between progressive access and direct access?
Direct Access (DAS) is when you go straight to a full unrestricted Cat A licence at age 24 or over. Progressive access is the route where you’ve already held an A2 licence for at least two years and can take a shorter upgrade test at 21 to get Full A.
Can I ride any bike on an A2 licence?
Only bikes producing 35kW (47bhp) or less, with a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg, and not derestricted from a bike that originally produced more than 70kW. Plenty of factory bikes meet this — your dealer will know which.
How long does each licence take to get?
A CBT is one day. A1 is typically 2–4 days of training plus theory revision. A2 is similar. Full A via DAS is typically 4–6 days of training. Plus the wait for DVSA test slots, which is usually the gating factor.
Do all four routes use the same bike?
No. CBT and A1 use a 125cc. A2 uses a restricted 35kW bike (often a 500–700cc machine fitted with a restrictor). Full A via DAS uses a 600cc+ bike producing at least 40kW.
Written by Angela and the team at On Your Bike, a family-run, DVSA-approved motorcycle training school in Warrington. Last updated May 2026.