DavePa Posted May 12, 2017 Posted May 12, 2017 I passed my driving test many years ago, back in the 1970's in fact. The rules on what you would drive/ride then were very different than they are now and I have classes B, BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E, F, K, L N and P with provisional for A, G and H. Looking at the categories, category A appears to mean that I can ride ANY SIZE motorcycle on a provisional licence and whilst I have no intention of doing so am I interpreting that correctly? I could have a Harley with 'L' plates?
mikeprice Posted May 12, 2017 Posted May 12, 2017 I passed my driving test many years ago, back in the 1970's in fact. The rules on what you would drive/ride then were very different than they are now and I have classes B, BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E, F, K, L N and P with provisional for A, G and H. Looking at the categories, category A appears to mean that I can ride ANY SIZE motorcycle on a provisional licence and whilst I have no intention of doing so am I interpreting that correctly? I could have a Harley with 'L' plates? I also have a driving license written in Latin (1978 actually) as far as I understand it - we can ride a motorbike with 'L' plates BUT the rules for who can ride one changed so - I THINK - we are limited to about 250cc and not on motorways
spacebar Posted May 12, 2017 Posted May 12, 2017 (edited) I passed about five year ago. I only have AM(provisional), A (provisional), B1, B. And that's it. Also fkpq, not sure what that is. My brother passed a few years ago, and he has one less group than me. Can't remember which one. Was talking about licenses the other day, and how in 15/20 years you might not even need one, self driving cars! Edited May 12, 2017 by spacebar
Oddbod Posted May 13, 2017 Posted May 13, 2017 (edited) I also have a driving license written in Latin (1978 actually) as far as I understand it - we can ride a motorbike with 'L' plates BUT the rules for who can ride one changed so - I THINK - we are limited to about 250cc and not on motorways Nope, if you've got a car license, you can ride a motorcycle upto 50cc on L-plates (and cbt) with the intention of passing a test within 2 years. So, you can ride a moped and do pizza delivery on a car license. Above that, you better have a provisional entitlement on your license for your motorcycle up to a 125cc Edited May 13, 2017 by Oddbod
Oddbod Posted May 13, 2017 Posted May 13, 2017 I passed my driving test many years ago, back in the 1970's in fact. The rules on what you would drive/ride then were very different than they are now and I have classes B, BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E, F, K, L N and P with provisional for A, G and H. Looking at the categories, category A appears to mean that I can ride ANY SIZE motorcycle on a provisional licence and whilst I have no intention of doing so am I interpreting that correctly? I could have a Harley with 'L' plates? Yes, you could, provided it was restricted to the maximum cc for the provisional category A with a car licence - 50cc. Don't know why you would though… If you've got a car license, you can ride a motorcycle upto 50cc on L-plates (and cbt) with the intention of passing a test within 2 years. So, you can ride a moped and do pizza delivery on a car license. Above that, you better have a provisional entitlement on your license for your motorcycle up to a 125cc After that, it gets a little more complicated.
Oddbod Posted May 13, 2017 Posted May 13, 2017 I passed about five year ago. I only have AM(provisional), A (provisional), B1, B. And that's it. Also fkpq, not sure what that is. My brother passed a few years ago, and he has one less group than me. Can't remember which one. Was talking about licenses the other day, and how in 15/20 years you might not even need one, self driving cars! AM - mopeds and bikes up to 50cc A - motorbikes up to 125cc B - cars (and load) up to 3.5ton B1 - vans (and load) up to 3.5ton (although this due to be reclassified into B with B1 designated for electric scooters and powered wheelchairs) F - tractors K - ride on mower or pedestrian controlled vehicle P - moped up to 50cc Q - moped up to 50cc Going through the hoops to get a d1 (minibus) licence, I seem to have swallowed a lot of fun info…
DavePa Posted May 13, 2017 Author Posted May 13, 2017 When I passed my driving test the motorcycle size limit was 250cc but it then became 125cc and I think later on it was changed to 125cc with limited power. Here's my catogories: And here's the official explanation of each motorcycle class: So I interpret that as motorcycles of any power with no engine size restrictions but only on a provisional - so my Hayabusa will need 'L' plates (Not that I will be putting my interpretation to the test of course!) The full list of all classes is here - I get to drive tractors, bigger vans, vehicles with up to 16 passenger seats and a whole bunch of other things that I will never need.
Oddbod Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 I like the fact that my dad used to have the tracked vehicles class listed on his licence and that he used it to move tanks around the REME workshops - happy times. Oh, and his brother still has this class listed on his photocard licence - a little tank icon, which he uses for the 8 axes jcb diggers that he is still paid handsomely to work with.
cobra427col Posted May 18, 2017 Posted May 18, 2017 Just to back up those who commented on the CC of bikes with L plates.. My car lic is from 80's (very early) and have the entitlement for upto 125CC with CBT (having worn out my chinese 125 (pro tip spend the extra and go for the cheap korean bikes)..) BUT what it does mean is - because of your age/length of time held full car lic Once you pass you can go from the 125 - to a stupid sized engine (1200 +) with out blinking. I'm about to book my theory this week and hopefully the actual test before my CBT runs out end of july When I was buying the bike the sales guy (younger than the average copper looks these days to us oldies) was trying explain the regulations on the power ratings for the different license restrictions.. I stopped him and said.. I'm buying a bike not a kettle.... speak english or at least in 'old money' - I only know CC's
DavePa Posted May 18, 2017 Author Posted May 18, 2017 The same applies to a car licence though - you can pass at 17 and (if you are wealthy enough) go and buy a Ferrari the next day although I think the insurance would be as much as the cost of the car. Equally, my very nearly 80 year old mother-in-law who has never driven anything more powerful than a Ford Focus (1.6, not RS) could have a lottery win and decide to treat herself to a McLaren...although she may struggle to get in and out of it so maybe a Tesla P100D or AMG Mercedes would be her choice. Good luck with your CBT
hardtailstar Posted May 18, 2017 Posted May 18, 2017 Im just happy I can drive a tractor on the road!
cobra427col Posted May 18, 2017 Posted May 18, 2017 I worked with a guy whos license allowed him to drive tanks on the road.... (yeah he's ex military) how cool would that be to rock up to work in a tank "sorry the wife has the car and mine is in the garage, so had to come in the weekend runabout"
Davit2005 Posted May 18, 2017 Posted May 18, 2017 I passed in 1988 and upto around mid 90's I could ride upto a 125cc with no further tests and I did. Then they changed the rules and now I can only ride 50cc I think but I gave up riding when they changed the rules.
mikeprice Posted May 19, 2017 Posted May 19, 2017 I worked with a guy whos license allowed him to drive tanks on the road.... (yeah he's ex military) how cool would that be to rock up to work in a tank "sorry the wife has the car and mine is in the garage, so had to come in the weekend runabout" I'm pretty sure I'm licensed to drive a tank on the road - 'tracked vehicles' was part of the same category as cars in the 1970s never done it (but I did drive one on a field - one of the 'experience' thingys - super cool)
AMLinington Posted May 19, 2017 Posted May 19, 2017 The gov UK website has all this info: https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes
Mayki5 Posted May 19, 2017 Posted May 19, 2017 It doesn't show on my actual licence, but the gov.uk site does show provisional entitlement to Tracked vehicles.
mikeprice Posted May 19, 2017 Posted May 19, 2017 Doesn't matter if it's only provisional after all - once you get going - who going to stop you when you're in a tank!!!
Oddbod Posted May 20, 2017 Posted May 20, 2017 I worked with a guy whos license allowed him to drive tanks on the road.... (yeah he's ex military) how cool would that be to rock up to work in a tank "sorry the wife has the car and mine is in the garage, so had to come in the weekend runabout" I'd like to see the confusion you create in the traffic wardens head when you park it on double yellow lines, the consternation in the clamping team… and the distress that the tow truck driver has when he overloads his hiab arm when trying to lift it… I think it'll be almost as much a giggle as when the removal trucks get stuck in our low height tunnel on a regular basis…
jedmondson Posted May 20, 2017 Posted May 20, 2017 Being passenger in a https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret_armoured_car issue as well
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