Motorcycles and mopeds - frequently asked questions

The minimum legal age to ride a moped in the UK is 16 years.

Before you can ride on the road, you’ll need to complete a compulsory basic training (CBT) course and pass two practical tests and a theory test for the relevant motorcycle category.

A moped is essentially a low-powered motorcycle. In the UK, any motorcycle with an engine capacity under 50cc and a maximum speed of 31mph is classed as a moped.

A common sight on UK roads, the name derives from the fact they were traditionally equipped with pedals – so a moped is a combination of motor and pedal.

As they’re smaller and have less power than other motorcycles, mopeds are often the best way to learn the ropes of motorcycle riding.

Like learning to drive a car, you’ll need a provisional licence before learning to ride a motorcycle.

Once you have one, your first step is to complete compulsory basic training (CBT), which is used to make sure you have the skills to continue learning out on the road.

To get your motorcycle licence, you must pass a two-part practical test and a theory test. Both parts of the practical test must be completed within two years of passing your theory test – after this point, you’ll need to retake the theory test.

It’s possible to ride your own vehicle while learning, however, you’ll need to make sure it has:

• a valid V5C registration certificate
• is taxed
• an MOT (for vehicles over 3 years old)
• motor insurance

If your motorcycle was built before 1st January 1980, you can apply to stop paying vehicle tax. If you don’t know how old your motorcycle is, don’t worry! As long as it was registered before 8th January 1980, you can still apply for this payment exemption.

Remember, you must tax your vehicle even if you don’t have to pay for it.

There are a couple of situations when your motorcycle won’t be exempt from payment, even if it meets the age requirements set out above:

•  It’s used for hire (for example, as a taxi) or reward
•  It’s used commercially

Mopeds can vary in price, with new mopeds costing as much as £2,500, whereas it’s possible to get a second-hand one for less than £1,000.

Like when buying any other second-hand vehicle, you should always check that the moped is in good condition with the correct documentation.

There are various motorcycle licences available that differ according to the type of motorcycle, and each has different requirements and minimum age.

Unrestricted motorcycles with no limit on power or size are category A and have a minimum age of 24 or 21 (if you’ve already owned an A2 licence for two years).

You can find a full breakdown of motorcycle licences and their requirements here.

Not only is motorcycle insurance important for protecting you and your motorbike, but it’s also a legal requirement, so always make sure your motorcycle is insured!

The cost of motorcycle insurance will depend on a couple of factors:

• Engine size – As a general rule, the larger the engine on your motorcycle, the more your insurance. This is because larger engines have more power and a higher chance of being involved in a high-speed accident. They also tend to be more expensive, which means repairing or replacing them will cost more.
• Age – Another important factor is age. The older you are, the cheaper your insurance will usually be, although this can also be influenced by your riding experience.

Your motorcycle is likely to be your pride and joy – so you need to take good care of it! This includes cleaning it on a regular basis.

When cleaning your motorcycle, it’s important to use specialised cleaning products that are designed for motorcycles. Then, after you’ve finished cleaning, use the Muc-Off Matt Finish Detailer to achieve a gloss and streak-free finish.

You can find a full guide to cleaning your bike here.

It’s not just your motorcycle that needs regular cleaning, you’ll also need to take good care of your leather clothing too.

To protect your clothing, you’ll want to use a product specially designed for use on leather.

We recommend using the Nikwax Leather Cleaner, as it’s specially optimised for leather clothing. Before using any product, always check the label and follow the advised cleaning steps.

Top tip: For light/coloured leathers and soft nubuck/suede, always test cleaning products on a hidden area first.

When riding, you need to have clear visibility which means having a clean helmet visor.

Like cleaning other motorcycle items, it’s best to use a specialised cleaning product designed for visors like the Tru-Tension Visor Cleaner - and getting a perfectly clear visor only takes a few steps:

• Remove the visor from the helmet.
• Spray the inside and outside of the visor with your selected visor cleaner.
• Thoroughly wipe the visor, removing any dirt or grime.
• Spray for a second time and buff using a clean cloth to remove any stubborn bugs or contaminants.
• Leave to dry before spraying the internal and external surfaces of the visor with an anti-fog product.
• Lightly buff the visor with a clean cloth and allow the film to evaporate. This will now create an anti-fog layer on the inside and a rain-repellent layer on the outside. Reapply every few days for the best result.
• Once dry, refit the visor to your helmet and enjoy a clearer line of vision.

The Daimler Reitwagen - the World’s first internal-combustion motorcycle - was created in 1885 by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Mayback.

Although similar in appearance to modern motorcycles, the Reitwagen had a wooden frame and two additional smaller wheels on either side of the motorcycle.

When leaving your motorcycle idle for long periods of time, it’s important to regularly charge the battery – doing so will prevent it from fully discharging, leaving you with a motorcycle that won’t start!

Charging a motorcycle battery is easy, you need to identify what type of battery you have and what charger you will need.