Can I ride a Moped

AdrianC

Jackmydad wrote: »

They're a friction roller drive to the front wheel aren't they?

Yep, they are.

shaun_from_Africa

AdrianC wrote: »

My hedge trimmer's engine is more powerful than the Solex...

But with the engines running, which would you feel safer with between your legs,

or one of these:

AdrianC

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

But with the engines running, which would you feel safer with between your legs with the engines running,

<raises eyebrows>
Odd gardening technique...

Jackmydad

AdrianC wrote: »

<raises eyebrows>
Odd gardening technique...

Have to watch you don't chop the "solex" off your little "velo". :rotfl:

Just looking at the Velosolex online. Some quite low powered at 0.7HP. I suspect they go on for ever though.

Cash-Strapped.T32

A little off topic perhaps, but I thought it pertinent to add, it's not always quite so straight forward as to who needs what training...

For example, this is something I'm trying to deal with right now. I passed my bike test back in 2010; Theory, mod-1 & mod-2, etc..
However I passed on a 125 automatic bike, as that's all I owned at the time.

This summer I'm looking to retake the practical test on my full size manual as I don't find manual bikes any harder to ride than autos, and I'd like to have the capability to jump on any bike should the need arise. Should be simple, right?

Anyone who cares to remember will recall that back in 2010, after you passed your test on a 125, you were restricted to no more than 33bhp for 2-years, your license was in effect an A2 licence (what is now classed as A1 under the new Euro-gumph rules).

After those 2yrs were up, your license matured into a full A category license, meaning you could ride a bike of any size & power output you like.

So therefore I have an A category bike license; This is both printed on my photocard and stated as such on the DVLA checker tool, which confirms I can ride any size bike out there, so long as it's got auto transmission.

Every online resource I've been able to find states that if I hold an A catergory license, and merely want to remove the code 78 automatic transmission restriction, I do not have to re-take the theory test (only the practical).

This was backed up by the fact the DVSA website & bookings helpline won't allow me to book a motorbike theory, stating I already have it, and the DVSA helpline advisors on 2 occasions also stated as such.

However, two instructors have been unable to book me in for a practical test, because the booking system in place won't allow them to complete the booking without my theory test certificate number, despite them inputting that my current licence category is "full, A".
Which obviously tells them that I do need the theory cert.

One of them is actually having to get in touch with contacts in the DVSA this coming week, to get written confirmation if someone in my circumstances (passed on a 125, but currently holding A category) can re-take the practical in order to get the automatic restriction lifted, without re-taking the theory.

So this weird contradiction means that I'm unable to book a theory test, as one system (both IT system & human system) says I don't need it, and I can't book a practical because another system says I can't progress without a valid, <2yr theory cert.

Sorry for the essay, but as I say this is something I'm currently trying to deal with, and I thought that it just goes to show that these systems are generally easy to understand for the majority first-timers, but after years of complex rules being layered on top of newer, more complex rules, the systems are actually far from easy to navigate if you try to dig below the surface imo.

patman99

Cash-strapped, I always wondered if there was a distinction between automatic and manual motorbike licences. Now I know.

Djdjdjdj, afaik if you passed a car test between 2001 & 2013, you cannot ride a quad or trike so that just leaves you with the option. Of either riding a moped or taking your CBT and either going for a bike test of redoing the CBT every 5 years.

Cash-Strapped.T32

patman99 wrote: »

Cash-strapped, I always wondered if there was a distinction between automatic and manual motorbike licences. Now I know.

Well that's the thing - there isn't - or there shouldn't be.
An "auto" licence is simply a regular licence with a 78 code.
Check your photocard, if you wear glasses (and disclosed this when you applied for your licence) there will be a 01 code on the back (under column 12).

That 01 code means you're restricted to only drive with sight correction, be it glasses or contacts.
Mine also has a 78 code in the same place, meaning that the vehicle must have automatic transmission.

Those codes don't make the licence intrinsically different, they just impose specific restrictions on the holder.
It's exactly the same way as it works for a car license if the holder took the test in an automatic.

The issue I'm running up against isn't anything to do with the code (other than this situation has been precipitated by my wanting to remove the code), it's to do with the badly thought out mess of A, A1 and A2 categories that have been introduced for motorbike entitlements over the years, and then changed, adding complexity on top of complexity. :cool:

consumers_revenge

Cbt renewal is every 2 years.

I know as I'm just about to renew it for the 5 time.

forgotmyname

BIL paid about £40/£50 for the first CBT and it soon turned in £120.

How much is it now? Or does it depend on the location?

GarthThomas

consumers_revenge wrote: »

Cbt renewal is every 2 years.

I know as I'm just about to renew it for the 5 time.

How come you've never progressed to a full license?

For the OP, leaving aside whether you can ride a scooter, do you really want to? While I'd quite like a velosolex if I were in rural France, on the roads of the UK a 50cc scooter is not much fun compared to a 125, particularly if you want to make progress in traffic, or ride on main roads.

Their speed restriction means that you tend to end up riiding in the gutter.

Personally I'd recommend getting a CBT, which also serves as a refresher, and going straight onto a bigger engined one.