Mopeds/Scooters..?

IndieSinger

Hello!

I have a 3-mile walk to work and I don't have the money for another car/tax/insurance/fuel etc. in the household. So I was wondering about two wheels, but I have no idea at all about anything on two wheels.

Q1. What's the difference between a moped and a scooter? Are there any other bikes I should be looking at?

Q2. I passed my driving test in a car on 18/10/2000. My paper driving licence says I can drive categories A, BE and GH. On the back of my plastic card licence, it says I can drive AM (with "122" code), A (with "79(3)" code, B1 and B. What can I ride without doing lessons and courses? Am I right in thinking it's 50cc bikes only?

Q3. Even if I don't need to take a course, would you recommend I do? Or is it really easy to drive them? I have literally no experience on anything other than a push bike.

Q4. From a quick google, it seems tax and MOT are cheap. There are 50cc bikes on eBay from around £500. Apart from fuel and helmets etc., are there any other costs I'm missing?

Q5. Any other advice/help?! I'm really out of my depth in this area!

Thanks in advance!

jaybeetoo

What sort of road will you have to travel on? What is the speed limit?

Retrogamer

Have you considered cycling? 3 miles should only take about 10-15 minutes

spadoosh

Have you considered answering the questions?

1) Basically the same thing a moped is a scooter with restrictions (50cc)

2) Under your current licence you will be able to drive a 50cc moped. However in order to drive a motorbike you are requred to have a CBT certificate. CBT courses will cost £100-£150.

3) You do need to and i would recommend it.

4) Insurance. Although thats pretty cheap on bikes. They also go missing regularly so decent stuff to keep it locked up.

5) There not difficult, obviously different than driving a car. Watch as many youtube videos as you can, you will see good and bad practices and it will give you a greater view onthings to look out for. Id look at having a helmet camera as you will be more likely to be involved in an accident.

IndieSinger

jaybeetoo wrote: »

What sort of road will you have to travel on? What is the speed limit?

Urban roads, mostly 30mph and a little 40mph.

IndieSinger

Retrogamer wrote: »

Have you considered cycling? 3 miles should only take about 10-15 minutes

I have, and I can't. Huge hill! Thanks, though!

agrinnall

Q1. There may not be a huge difference, some mopeds don't have gears, most scooters do.

Q3. Yes, I learned to ride a moped in the days when there weren't really any lessons 40 years ago but that was with a lot less traffic on the roads.

Q4. Insurance, maintenance, waterproof clothing.

IndieSinger

spadoosh wrote: »

Have you considered answering the questions?

1) Basically the same thing a moped is a scooter with restrictions (50cc)

2) Under your current licence you will be able to drive a 50cc moped. However in order to drive a motorbike you are requred to have a CBT certificate. CBT courses will cost £100-£150.

3) You do need to and i would recommend it.

4) Insurance. Although thats pretty cheap on bikes. They also go missing regularly so decent stuff to keep it locked up.

5) There not difficult, obviously different than driving a car. Watch as many youtube videos as you can, you will see good and bad practices and it will give you a greater view onthings to look out for. Id look at having a helmet camera as you will be more likely to be involved in an accident.

Brilliant, thank you!

So, to confirm, I can just get insured and jump on a 50cc bike? I don't have to do this CBT?[/B]

spadoosh

IndieSinger wrote: »

Brilliant, thank you!

So, to confirm, I can't just get insured and jump on a 50cc bike? I have to do this CBT?[/B]

Actually it depends on your licence. if you passed before 2001 you can just jump on and go (dont even need 'L' plates) if you passed after 2001 you will need to take CBT. Having taken the CBT you will have to display 'L' plates. A CBT certificate is only valid for 2 years so you will either need to do another CBT after that time or pass your bike licence.


Unless you passed your drving licence before 2001 you will need to take CBT. Your question appears to have changed?!


Just noticed you mentioned you passed your test in 2000, this suggests you can just get insured and go. I would still advise the CBT as it teaches you to handle the bike. They are different to cars and the things you do in cars will need a different approach. You will likely learn some valuable lessons.

AdrianC

IndieSinger wrote: »

Q1. What's the difference between a moped and a scooter? Are there any other bikes I should be looking at?

"Scooter" really just means a particular style of motorcycle. Gearless, feet inside a fairing, step-through.

"Moped" means 50cc, 30mph maximum.

Q2. I passed my driving test in a car on 18/10/2000. My paper driving licence says I can drive categories A, BE and GH. On the back of my plastic card licence, it says I can drive AM (with "122" code), A (with "79(3)" code, B1 and B. What can I ride without doing lessons and courses? Am I right in thinking it's 50cc bikes only?

AM is 50cc. 122 means you have to take a moped CBT for that to be valid.
A is motorcycles. 79(3) means a trike only.

Q3. Even if I don't need to take a course, would you recommend I do? Or is it really easy to drive them?

You do have to - but even if you didn't, it would be VERY wise.

I have literally no experience on anything other than a push bike.

For three miles each way to work, walking or cycling would be most sensible, tbh.

Q4. From a quick google, it seems tax and MOT are cheap. There are 50cc bikes on eBay from around £500. Apart from fuel and helmets etc., are there any other costs I'm missing?

Keeping it running... Cheap Chinese mopeds are likely to be poor quality, and parts availability is also likely to be poor.
Don't forget insurance.

Silver-Surfer_2

spadoosh wrote: »

Actually it depends on your licence. if you passed before 2001 you can just jump on and go (dont even need 'L' plates) if you passed after 2001 you will need to take CBT. Having taken the CBT you will have to display 'L' plates. A CBT certificate is only valid for 2 years so you will either need to do another CBT after that time or pass your bike licence.


Unless you passed your drving licence before 2001 you will need to take CBT. Your question appears to have changed?!

OP states 18/10/2000.