Moped Riding in Britain: A Step by Step Guide
1. Just like owning a dog, a gun, a car or any other lethal weapon, to ride a moped in Britain you need a licence. So grab a signed photo of yourself - if you have no professional family friends just ask your probation officer - and get on down the Post Office, fill in a form and hand over fifty quid.
2. Once you have a licence you need to take part in a Compulsory Basic Training Course. It's Basic, it's Compulsory and it's just a simple Training day. No test, no exam, no hassle. It usually takes around 5-7 hours to complete and teaches you some of the necessary skills you need to survive 21st Century roads as well as validating the provisional entitlement on your licence.
3. Once your CBT is complete you will have a basic knowledge of safety equipment and what you need for riding on British roads. Use this new-found knowledge and go spend some money and get yourself kitted out.
4. Buying your bike is next. There's a lot of choice out there so spend some time deciding exactly what you need, what you can afford and what you want. My blog has an article called 'Choosing the Right Bike for You' which might help if you're a bit stuck.
5. Before you ride your bike on the road it has to be relatively safe. The MOT test checks that it is safe in the day of the test but it is not all-inclusive. It is your own responsibility to keep an eye on your brakes, lights, tyres and chain etc. Basic checks should all have been covered in your CBT. If they weren't go back and ask them why not.
6. If you make a mistake and fall off, sending your bike onto the pavement and into a pram and kill a baby, who pays for the mother's multi-million pound compensation law-suit? Your insurance underwriter pays it. If you neglected to get any insurance you'll be paying it for the rest of your life. Most of it from a jail cell for gross negligence or something. Maybe I'm exaggerating but you get the picture.
7. You also need to buy vehicle tax. Mopeds are reasonably environmentally friendly and consequently they are extremely cheap on tax. In 2009 the road tax fund for a motor bicycle is only 15. It is available from most Post Offices and you will need to take the Vehicle Registration Certificate (or the green tear-off slip if it was a recent purchase), a valid MOT for the bike and proof of insurance with you.
8. The last legal requirement is L-Plates. Large white squares with a big red 'L' in the middle to tell everyone you have absolutely no idea what you are doing on the road anyway. So they should please stop beeping or gesticulating when you cut them up because you knew no better You *did* pay attention in Step 2 didn't you?
9. And that's all. Fill it up with over-priced petrol and you're on your way. Just keep an eye on the basics and renew your MOT, tax and insurance annually. You will also need to renew your CBT every two years unless you take your full bike test which is great idea as it teaches you better riding skills as well as reducing the annual cost of insurance. - 2368
2. Once you have a licence you need to take part in a Compulsory Basic Training Course. It's Basic, it's Compulsory and it's just a simple Training day. No test, no exam, no hassle. It usually takes around 5-7 hours to complete and teaches you some of the necessary skills you need to survive 21st Century roads as well as validating the provisional entitlement on your licence.
3. Once your CBT is complete you will have a basic knowledge of safety equipment and what you need for riding on British roads. Use this new-found knowledge and go spend some money and get yourself kitted out.
4. Buying your bike is next. There's a lot of choice out there so spend some time deciding exactly what you need, what you can afford and what you want. My blog has an article called 'Choosing the Right Bike for You' which might help if you're a bit stuck.
5. Before you ride your bike on the road it has to be relatively safe. The MOT test checks that it is safe in the day of the test but it is not all-inclusive. It is your own responsibility to keep an eye on your brakes, lights, tyres and chain etc. Basic checks should all have been covered in your CBT. If they weren't go back and ask them why not.
6. If you make a mistake and fall off, sending your bike onto the pavement and into a pram and kill a baby, who pays for the mother's multi-million pound compensation law-suit? Your insurance underwriter pays it. If you neglected to get any insurance you'll be paying it for the rest of your life. Most of it from a jail cell for gross negligence or something. Maybe I'm exaggerating but you get the picture.
7. You also need to buy vehicle tax. Mopeds are reasonably environmentally friendly and consequently they are extremely cheap on tax. In 2009 the road tax fund for a motor bicycle is only 15. It is available from most Post Offices and you will need to take the Vehicle Registration Certificate (or the green tear-off slip if it was a recent purchase), a valid MOT for the bike and proof of insurance with you.
8. The last legal requirement is L-Plates. Large white squares with a big red 'L' in the middle to tell everyone you have absolutely no idea what you are doing on the road anyway. So they should please stop beeping or gesticulating when you cut them up because you knew no better You *did* pay attention in Step 2 didn't you?
9. And that's all. Fill it up with over-priced petrol and you're on your way. Just keep an eye on the basics and renew your MOT, tax and insurance annually. You will also need to renew your CBT every two years unless you take your full bike test which is great idea as it teaches you better riding skills as well as reducing the annual cost of insurance. - 2368
About the Author:
John Vincent is a designer, copywriter and part time motorcycle instructor. He's prone to opinionated ramblings on subjects as diverse as mopeds, motorbikes, books, wines and gadgets.
posted by Frank Potter at 3:02 AM
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