How Much Does a Bike Licence Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)

How Much Does a Bike Licence Cost in the UK

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Budgeting for a motorcycle licence is genuinely achievable but only if you go in with real numbers rather than a vague “a grand or so” guess. Costs stack up across several separate stages, and knowing exactly what each one involves means no nasty surprises halfway through. Here’s the full breakdown.

The Upfront Basics (Provisional and CBT Costs)

Start with the two costs you can’t avoid, whichever route you take.

Provisional licence:

• £34 if you apply online, £43 by post — a one-time DVLA application fee
• If you already hold a car provisional or full licence, adding motorcycle entitlement often costs nothing extra — check your existing photocard’s categories before assuming you need a fresh application

CBT (Compulsory Basic Training):

• Typically £150–£250, varying by location and whether motorcycle hire is included in the price
• This isn’t a fixed government fee, so shop around and compare exactly what’s included — some schools bundle protective gear hire, others charge separately

Why this stage matters for your budget beyond the fee itself: CBT is a one-day course, but if you need extra practice before your instructor signs you off, some schools charge for additional sessions. Ask upfront what happens if you don’t pass in a single day, so it’s not a surprise add-on later.

The Testing Fees (Theory, Module 1, and Module 2)

These are fixed, official DVSA fees — identical wherever you book through the official service.

Stage	Cost	Notes
Motorcycle theory test	£23	Official DVSA fee, same as the car theory test
Module 1 (off-road)	£15.50	Same fee regardless of weekday or weekend
Module 2 (on-road), weekday	£75	Official DVSA fee
Module 2 (on-road), evening/weekend/bank holiday	£88.50	Official DVSA fee

A few things worth knowing about these fees specifically:

• Book directly through the official DVSA service. Third-party sites charging noticeably more for the same test are pocketing a markup for nothing extra
• Failed attempts cost the full fee again there’s no discounted resit rate, so genuine preparation before booking saves real money, not just time
• Motorcycle hire for your test isn’t included in these official fees unless your training package specifically bundles it in confirm this before booking your test date

The Direct Access Scheme (DAS) Packages Explained

If you’re 24 or over, or 21+ having held an A2 licence for two years, DAS lets you go straight for a full, unrestricted Category A licence.

CBT bike licence UK A1 bike licence UK A2 bike licence UK full motorcycle licence UK

Typical DAS course costs:

• £700–£1,400 for the training course itself
• Motorcycle hire is often included in DAS packages, unlike some standard training routes always confirm this specifically, since it’s a meaningful cost if you have to arrange it separately

A realistic total DAS cost, all in:

Expense	Estimated Cost
Provisional licence (if required)	£34
Theory test	£23
DAS course	£700–£1,400
Module 1 test	£15.50
Module 2 test	£75
Motorcycle hire	Often included
Estimated total	£850–£1,550

Why DAS pricing varies so much between schools: the range largely reflects how many days of training are included, whether test fees and bike hire are bundled in, and regional pricing differences. Get an itemised quote rather than comparing headline “from” prices, since two courses at very different advertised prices can end up costing the same once everything’s included.

For comparison, a beginner rider with no previous experience going through CBT, standard training, and testing rather than DAS typically budgets:

Expense	Estimated Cost
Provisional licence	£34
CBT training	£200
Theory test	£23
Motorcycle training	£700–£1,200
Module 1 test	£15.50
Module 2 test	£75
Motorcycle hire for tests (if required)	£100–£250
Estimated total	£1,150–£1,800

The honest comparison: DAS often works out cheaper overall than the beginner route, mainly because bike hire is more commonly bundled in and the training structure is typically more streamlined — but it’s only available if you meet the age and experience requirements.

Hidden Costs Worth Budgeting For

Beyond the headline figures, a few genuine extras catch riders out.

• Protective gear — helmet, gloves, boots, and appropriate clothing, if not provided by your training school. A decent approved helmet alone can run £100+
• Retest fees — if you don’t pass Module 1 or Module 2 first time, you’ll pay the full official fee again, plus potentially extra training time
• Travel to training or test centres — motorcycle test centres aren’t always local, so factor in fuel or transport costs, particularly for Module 2 routes
• Insurance while learning — required from the moment you start riding on the road with L-plates, and cost varies significantly by rider age and bike category

Smart Ways to Lower Your Motorcycle Training Costs

Here’s where a bit of planning genuinely saves real money.

Compare packages, not just headline prices:

• Ask exactly what’s included — CBT, theory prep, motorcycle hire, and test booking assistance can all be bundled or charged separately depending on the school
• A cheaper-looking course that excludes bike hire for your test can end up costing more overall than a slightly pricier all-inclusive package

Book your own tests directly through DVSA:

• Avoid third-party booking sites charging a premium for something you can book yourself for the official fee
• This is a straightforward saving with zero downside

Consider your category choice carefully before training:

• Training and testing for A2 rather than jumping straight to unrestricted Category A (if you’re not yet DAS-eligible) can mean a more affordable stepping stone, with the option to upgrade later once you’ve built experience and savings
• Conversely, if you’re DAS-eligible, going straight for Category A once can work out cheaper long-term than progressing through A1 and A2 first, since you avoid paying for multiple rounds of training and testing

Ask about seasonal or off-peak pricing:

• Some training schools offer lower rates during quieter periods, since demand for lessons and test slots often peaks in spring and summer
• Booking your Module 2 test on a weekday rather than evening or weekend saves £13.50 immediately on the official fee alone

Don’t skimp on preparation to save money upfront:

• A failed test costs you the full fee again, plus lost time — genuine revision and adequate training hours before booking is the single biggest cost-saver in this entire process
• Rushing to save on lesson hours is the most common way beginner riders end up spending more overall through resits

Look into finance options if the upfront cost is a barrier:

• Many training schools offer payment plans, splitting the cost across instalments rather than requiring the full amount upfront
• Compare the total cost including any finance charges, not just the monthly figure, before committing

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a motorcycle licence cost in the UK overall? Realistically between roughly £850 and £1,800 depending on your route, with Direct Access Scheme candidates often at the lower end and complete beginners typically budgeting more for extended training.

How much is a CBT test? CBT typically costs £150–£250, varying by training school and location. It isn’t a fixed government fee, so it’s worth comparing a few local providers.

How much does the motorcycle theory test cost? £23, identical to the car theory test, and set directly by DVSA regardless of which test centre you book through.

• Motorcycle Licence Categories Explained Direct Access Scheme: Full Guide

What’s the Module 1 and Module 2 test fee? Module 1 costs £15.50. Module 2 costs £75 on weekdays or £88.50 for evening, weekend, and bank holiday slots.

Is the Direct Access Scheme cheaper than the standard route? Often, yes, mainly because motorcycle hire is commonly included in DAS packages. Overall cost still depends heavily on the specific training provider and package.

Can I get motorcycle training finance? Many training schools offer payment plans. Compare the total repayable amount, not just the monthly instalment, before choosing this option.

How Much Does a Bike Licence Cost in the UK How to Apply for a Motorcycle Licence in the UK