Author: NewcastleRiderTraining

No.  You would normally use one of ours.  We have 125cc motorcycles for CBT as well as 50cc and 125cc scooters.  We have 500cc bikes for A2 and 650cc for Category A.  You can use your own if you prefer but make sure it is fully road legal – taxed, insured, MoT if necessary, L plates front and rear.

I know where I can take my wife’s car for a cheap MOT.  The car will get a pass certificate but it won’t have been checked over properly.  You can say something along similar lines for motorcycling tuition: do you want a cheap certificate or do you want quality training that will give you a solid basis for a lifetime of riding?  Your choice.

Everybody starts with CBT (Compulsory Basic Training).  This is when you learn all the basics – the building blocks to develop from as you progress through your motorcycling career.  Whatever you want to achieve, you start with CBT.  Give us a call on 0191 264 5848 and get yourself booked in for your CBT.  From there we can advise you what to do next, depending on your goals.

Before doing CBT you will need a Provisional Driving Licence if you don’t already have a car licence.  Get a form D1 from the Post Office or apply online at gov.uk

Give us a call on 0191 264 5848 or email us at info@motorcycletraining.net and ask!  It could be as soon as tomorrow if we’re not too busy.  Generally we’re a lot busier in the spring and summer than we are in the autumn or winter.

No, you don’t.  You should have at least studied the Highway Code (available from us for £2.50) but you don’t need to pass the Theory Test.

You are welcome to get it done before you start if you like but there is no need to.  However, if you are wanting to pass your Practical Test within a short space of time then it might be a good idea to get your Theory Test out of the way sooner rather than later.  We usually have pre-booked Theory Tests available for you or you can book your own at gov.uk.

We start at 9:00 am.  Don’t be late and don’t forget your Driving Licence!

Generally the first session of the day is at 8:00 or 8:30 but it can sometimes be as early as 7:00 am, depending on what else is lined up for that day.

The last session of the day is usually 3:00 or 3:30 but sometimes as late as 4:00 pm, again depending on how it fits in.  We don’t do evening sessions.

Sunday is the one day we are closed.

The Practical Test is split into two modules.  Module One primarily tests your machine handling skills around cones on a closed tarmac site.  Module Two is out on the road, much like a car test except with the examiner following and giving directions over a one-way radio (which is the same way we will be training you).

If you sign up for one of our courses you will be well prepared for both modules before you go for them.

Yes, we can send you a Gift Voucher in the post or you can come and pick one up from the office ((please phone first though to check someone is here).

We do personalised gift cards stating what has been bought.  It can be anything from a day of CBT through to a complete package of training and tests, or anything in between – whatever suits your budget.

Remember we also do advanced training for experienced riders, or we can do something as simple as a one-hour try-out for a complete beginner just wanting a taster session.  One lucky lady even got a voucher for a pillion ride out into the countryside!

If your car licence dates back to before February 2001 you should have full moped entitlement. You are allowed to ride a 50cc bike or scooter without L plates although it is officially recommended that you should do CBT anyway. If you want to ride anything bigger you are in the same boat as everyone else and have to start with CBT.

No problem.  Pop over and try our specially lowered bike for size (phone first to check someone is in the office though).  We have a very low GS500 for a full Category A2 licence.  Have a look at our Facebook page and scroll back through the photos to 13th July 2014 to see 4ft 10in Nikki on the GS.  There’s another picture of her later on when she came to see us on her own Kawasaki.

We haven’t actually used the low bike for maybe three years though since everyone recently has been happy with our standard size bikes.

Have a look online at Upbikers which solved one of our shorter customers’ problems.  They are a very clever idea to add four centimeters to your leg reach while still allowing normal(ish) use of the foot controls.

Yes, everyone has to take (and pass) a Motorcycle Theory Test before they can take the Practical Test.  The only exception is someone who has previously passed a motorcycle test and is upgrading to a higher category of motorcycle.

No is the simple answer.  Your licence may be valid for you to drive in the UK as a visitor but you cannot do CBT without a UK Driver Number.

You have a couple of options:

1. Exchange your foreign licence for a UK one.  Have a look at gov.uk and check whether the UK has a reciprocal agreement with your country.  Once you have passed the bike test and got a full UK bike licence you should be able to exchange it back again in your home country if you want to.
2. Apply for a UK Provisional Driving Licence.  You would keep your foreign car licence and, once you’ve passed your bike test, also have a UK bike licence.  I don’t know what the implications would then be if you wanted to add the motorcycle category back in your home country.  To apply for a UK licence you can go online to gov.uk or get a form D1 from the Post Office.