Motorcycle Law (UK)

Motorcycles are the least common type of vehicle on the roads in the United Kingdom. The Brits fancy a strong sturdy car or the occasional red double decked bus. To own and ride a motorcycle in the U.K., one has to adhere to strict and stringent rules. There are two types of legal compliances. The first type is those that the rider must adhere to. The second type is the legal requirements that the vehicle must comply to.

For the rider, he or she must possess a motorcycle license. Only those aged 17 years old and above are allowed to apply for the provisional driving license. To obtain a motorcycle license, the individual must complete the compulsory basic training. The successful completion of the compulsory basic training will be rewarded with a DL196. With the DL196, the eager rider can now pursue the theory and practical tests. The DL 196 expires in two years. To avoid retaking the compulsory basic training, the rider would need to pass both theory and practical test within the two years.

Before the motorcycle can hit the roads, it requires a registration document called the VRD which contains details like the model of the vehicle, the year or registration, engine type and size. The vehicle license or also known as road tax is required to be displayed on the vehicle. The road tax fee varies according to the engine size. A 150cc engine will have a lower fee as compared to a 600cc engine. The road tax can be obtained from the nearest post office.