MeeTV No more ads! Code TOMSTC

UK Motorcycle Licence Reform: Taunton Dealership Calls for Simpler, Fairer System

MOTORCYCLE NEWS

MOTORCYCLE TECH

MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS

DATE: 29/04/2026

GV Bikes of Taunton want a fairer system for younger riders

A Somerset-based motorcycle dealership is backing a growing national campaign to reform the UK motorcycle licensing system—raising concerns that the current process is too complex, too expensive, and increasingly discouraging for younger riders.

GV Bikes, a family-run business now in its 39th year, is supporting a petition calling on the government to simplify motorcycle licence progression. The aim is to make motorcycling more accessible while maintaining the UK’s high safety standards.

With rising costs and a multi-stage testing system, many in the industry believe the current structure is out of touch with modern riders.

How the UK Motorcycle Licence System Works

The UK motorcycle licensing system is split into multiple stages depending on age and experience. Riders typically begin with Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) at age 16, before progressing through A1, A2, and finally the full Category A licence.

Each stage requires passing both a theory test and two practical tests—Module 1 (off-road manoeuvres) and Module 2 (on-road riding)—even though the format of these tests remains largely the same at every level.

This means riders who start young can end up repeating very similar tests multiple times over several years.

The Real Cost of Getting a Motorcycle Licence

One of the biggest barriers is cost.

CBT typically costs between £150–£200
Theory test: £23
Practical tests: around £90 combined
Full licence training (Direct Access): often £800+

For riders taking the progressive route (A1 → A2 → A), total costs can exceed £2,500 spread over several years, compared to roughly £1,000 via Direct Access for riders starting at age 24+.

That difference is at the heart of the current debate.

The GV Bikes Team

One Rider’s 10-Year Journey Through the System

To highlight the issue, GV Bikes has shared the experience of Showroom and Webshop Manager George Hodges.

George began riding at just five years old and took to the road at 16, commuting 25 miles daily in all weather. Now aged 26, he has completed every stage of the UK licensing system—something only a small number of riders achieve each year.

His journey included:

Age 16: CBT – riding a 50cc motorcycle
Age 17: A1 licence (theory + Mod 1 + Mod 2)
Age 19: A2 licence (Mod 1 + Mod 2 again)
Age 26: Full A licence (Mod 1 + Mod 2 once more)

In total, George completed eight tests over nearly a decade—a process dictated not by ability, but by age restrictions.

George Hodges

The Direct Access Loophole

Under current rules, riders aged 24 or over can take the Direct Access Scheme (DAS)—a fast-track route to a full, unrestricted licence.

In many cases, this can be completed in just a few days of intensive training, allowing riders with little prior experience to bypass the progressive system entirely.

This creates a clear imbalance:

A 16-year-old rider may take years and thousands of pounds to reach a full licence
A 24-year-old beginner can achieve the same result in a week

Why the Industry Wants Change

GV Bikes believes this system risks pushing younger riders away from motorcycling altogether.

George Hodges explains:

“I wouldn’t change my journey—I’ve gained years of experience that have shaped me as a rider and a professional. But the system is incredibly complicated, expensive and off-putting for young people. Training-based upgrades would make far more sense.”

Geoff Hodges, proprietor of GV Bikes, adds:

“Motorcycling already involves significant financial commitment. When you add repeated testing costs, it becomes overwhelming, especially for young riders. These reforms could make a real difference.”