Licence requirements for 50cc moped

john432

With the ever increasing petrol prices I am considering using a moped to save money rather than using the car all the time.
So, I have a normal full driving licence whch I passed my test in 1987.

Does this mean I can legally ride a moped upto and including 50cc?

How do I get the required paperwork (ie moped licence)?

What are the best makes of mopeds out their?

How much money will I need to spend to get a reasonable moped?

Your thoughts please. Thankyou.

Ebe_Scrooge

You can ride a 50cc moped on your car licence, as you say you passed in 1987 :

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069867

"If you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001 you are qualified to ride a moped without L plates (and/or D plates in Wales), although it is recommended that you complete CBT before riding on the road. If you passed your driving test after this date you MUST complete CBT before riding a moped on the road."

forgotmyname

john432 wrote: »

With the ever increasing petrol prices I am considering using a moped to save money rather than using the car all the time.
So, I have a normal full driving licence whch I passed my test in 1987.

Does this mean I can legally ride a moped upto and including 50cc? YES 50cc/30mph max

How do I get the required paperwork (ie moped licence)? You have it on your licence already unless its been removed for some reason. Double check it.

What are the best makes of mopeds out their? I had a gilera runner it was brill, Also got good money back after i sold it. Not a cheap chinese thing that will fall apart as you go and worthless if you want to sell it later.

How much money will I need to spend to get a reasonable moped? Mine cost nearly £2000 new.

Your thoughts please. Thankyou.

£15 tax, £120 insurance. Less than £10 a month on fuel.

Brother in law bought a yamaha jog, It was rubbish £1800 new and traded it in 6 months later for £600... Bits fell off and electrical issues.
Cheap bikes off ebay will usually be cheap for a reason. No point spending £300 on a bike that needs double that spending on it in parts and the same again in labour charges.

Avoided modified bikes. If second hand you want something like my old one, Well looked after by a mature rider and selling for health reasons. Not the 16 year old that took it apart and lost half the bits and is selling it as he eventually got it started.

john432

How do I check my licence, other than it is issued in 86, their is no moped catergory other than A1 which I do not have. I have the normal catergorys for a full licence?

wealdroam

john432 wrote: »

How do I check my licence, other than it is issued in 86, their is no moped catergory other than A1 which I do not have. I have the normal catergorys for a full licence?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_180694

E Moped - with an engine size of up to 50 cc and a maximum speed of up to 50 km/h


But reading that document, it appears that a car licence issued in 1986 does not include cat E (unless you have E explicitly on your licence).

Only 1985 and earlier includes moped.
Which contradicts the info in post #2.
Or have I got that wrong?

john432

ok, still not clear.

Licenced issued in Oct 86, catergory's are: B, BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E.

So, can anyone clarify that I am able to ride a 50cc on my car licence. Thanks.

PasturesNew

Speaking as somebody with a 1980 license, I had 2-3 mopeds in my early days. I'd definitely get one again - and plan to if at some future point it's worthwhile (did the sums a few years back and tax+insurance+depreciation cost more than any saving in petrol I'd have made).

However, next time I'd wimp out and go for an electric start - so I didn't have to pedal like crazy..... so often I'd be pedalling like crazy and my foot'd slip off the pedal.

Scooby_Doo.

john432 wrote: »

ok, still not clear.

Licenced issued in Oct 86, catergory's are: B, BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E.

So, can anyone clarify that I am able to ride a 50cc on my car licence. Thanks.

If you read the link you had group A which is now B. A also covers Vehicles in Groups B, C, E, F, K, L, N below. E is a moped, your licence was issued before 1987 so you have a full moped licence.

Wig

John432

You can ride a moped all you need is insurance, MOT and tax
Don't need L plates
Don't need a CBT test

For between 50cc and upto 125 cc you need to take a CBT course (which is very easy 1 day) and costs about £100
You need L plates, after the CBT expires you need to take another one, I think they last 2 years.

patman99

If you want to go for a bigger 'bike' in the future, you can also ride the Piaggio MP3/400 on a car license as it is a 3-wheeler (has way better grip than a normal bike as well).

PasturesNew

patman99 wrote: »

If you want to go for a bigger 'bike' in the future, you can also ride the Piaggio MP3/400 on a car license as it is a 3-wheeler (has way better grip than a normal bike as well).

It's just a shame they look so idiotic.