The rules of the Highway Code apply to all road users: pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists as well as motorcyclists and drivers. It's a good place to start if you want to find out about your rights and responsibilities on the road.
The Highway Code
A moped is a motorcycle or scooter that has an engine capacity under 50cc and is designed not to do more that 31mph / 50 kmh.
To ride a moped as a learner you must:
• Be at least 16 years old
• Have applied for and received your Provisional Licence
• Have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course
• Have a vehicle which is taxed / insured / roadworthy
• Be at least 16 years old
• Have applied for and received your Provisional Licence
• Have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course
• Have a vehicle which is taxed / insured / roadworthy
Before completing the CBT you may only ride on a road under the supervision of an approved instructor as part of the CBT course.
You can apply for a provisional licence 3 months before your 16th birthday, but it does not come into effect until you are 16
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
If you successfully complete a CBT course you will get a training certificate (DL196)
You can apply for a provisional licence 3 months before your 16th birthday, but it does not come into effect until you are 16
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
If you successfully complete a CBT course you will get a training certificate (DL196)
You can find Motorcycle Training centres by looking in a directory like Yell or Thomweb, or asking at your local motorcycle shop.
The certificate is valid for two years and allows you to take you moped on the road.
When you go on to take your practical test you will need to show the examiner your training certificate.
You may also need to show it to the police.
The certificate is valid for two years and allows you to take you moped on the road.
When you go on to take your practical test you will need to show the examiner your training certificate.
You may also need to show it to the police.
To drive a car as a learner you must:
• Be at least 17 years old
• Have applied for and received your Provisional Licence
• Have someone in the car to supervise you
• Have a vehicle which is taxed / insured / roadworthy
• Be at least 17 years old
• Have applied for and received your Provisional Licence
• Have someone in the car to supervise you
• Have a vehicle which is taxed / insured / roadworthy
The person supervising you must:
be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for the type of vehicle you are driving (i.e. car) for a least 3 years.
This means for example that you can't get a friend who has just passed their test to supervise you.
You can apply for a provisional licence 3 months before your 17th birthday, but it does not come into effect until you are 17
You can learn to drive a car at 16 if you are receiving Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate. If this is the case you can apply for your provisional licence 3 months before your 16th birthday, but it does not come into effect until you are 16
If you already have a provisional licence for a moped or agricultural vehicle you do not need to apply again for a provisional licence to drive a car when you reach 17.
be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for the type of vehicle you are driving (i.e. car) for a least 3 years.
This means for example that you can't get a friend who has just passed their test to supervise you.
You can apply for a provisional licence 3 months before your 17th birthday, but it does not come into effect until you are 17
You can learn to drive a car at 16 if you are receiving Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate. If this is the case you can apply for your provisional licence 3 months before your 16th birthday, but it does not come into effect until you are 16
If you already have a provisional licence for a moped or agricultural vehicle you do not need to apply again for a provisional licence to drive a car when you reach 17.
There are lots of different types of agricultural vehicles. It is possible to learn to drive certain types of these vehicles when you are 16 but you should check details with the DVLA before you do so.
is a good website with lots more information about these types of vehicles.
If you are 16 and learning to drive a tractor, you are allowed to drive on the road only when you are going to or from a driving test.
I've heard that if you get stopped by the police that you might have to 'produce your documents'. What does this mean?
There are certain documents that you must have which show that you and your vehicle have the right to be on a public road.
MOT tests are designed to check that a vehicle comes up to basic road safety standards and basic environmental standards. Once a vehicle is three years old it will need to have an MOT test every year. When a vehicle passes its MOT test the tester will provide the car with a certificate.
Any vehicle driven on public roads must be insured. There are different types of insurance for vehicles and you should always check details and shop around before you buy your insurance. At very least you should be insured so that if you are involved in an accident where someone else is hurt or their property is damaged they can claim from your insurance company.
You must have applied for and received your provisional driving licence before you start to drive a car.
Your vehicle should also have a valid tax disc (Vehicle Excise License). You can find out more about this on the DVLA website.
There are lots of useful websites about driving; these three are official government sites: