Was motorbike entitlement ever given automatically when passing a car test?

[Summerofcontent]

I've been sorting out my father's stuff after her died and his driving licence is valid for motorbikes, category A.

I've never known him to even ride a push bike, let alone a motorbike so was wondering if it was ever given automatically in the same was being able to drive a road roller or moped is

Yes, if I remember correctly you were automatically able to ride a motorbike if you passed your driving test before a certain year. My dad didn't have to take a test when he got one a good few years back.

I can drive all sorts of vehicles legally! Mopeds, motorbikes, minibuses and tractors.

Yep - it's still on my license

Only up to a certain engine size, must wear L plates and can't carry passengers.

I used to ride one in the 80s, it was good fun.

I never took a test for it.

People who were driving before 1934 didn't need to pass any kind of test and the test was suspended during the second world war - people who started driving at that time never needed to pass a test. A few people will still be driving now who have never passed a test

I remember seeing an episode of Watchdog round about when photo licences first came in. Some poor chap had sent his in to be replaced and, due to a cock-up, it came back minus his historic motorbike entitlement ... but plus the entitlement to drive a military tank.

Yup. My husband's has loads on that that I haven't got.

Wow, so it probably is right then.

I know 1997 was the year they changed loads of 4 wheeled entitlements and I knew about not having to take a test before 1934 because my grandad had never taken a test but I didn't know about motorbikes

I remember that if you had passed your motorbike test you could drive a three wheel car without having to pass your car test. This was in the 70s. Not many three wheelers about these days.

My Grandad never took a test and was very much of the opinion if he could drive a tank he could drive anything. This didn't actually work in theory when he hd a go at a steam engine at a steam fair and promptly took out the fence and several deck chairs (thankfully unoccupied)

You still have to do a CBT (compulsory basic training, lasting one day) before you're allowed to ride a motorbike on the road. Also, a max engine size of 125cc and displaying L plates.

@Hellocatshome

My Grandad never took a test and was very much of the opinion if he could drive a tank he could drive anything. This didn't actually work in theory when he hd a go at a steam engine at a steam fair and promptly took out the fence and several deck chairs (thankfully unoccupied)

This is brilliant😂😂

I passed my car test in 1989 and I can ride a moped under 50cc without CBT or L plates. It’s only over 50cc the CBT applies to me.

@TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth

You still have to do a CBT (compulsory basic training, lasting one day) before you're allowed to ride a motorbike on the road. Also, a max engine size of 125cc and displaying L plates.

But you didn't used to have to

I can ride a 125cc (I won't now) without taking any kind of extra test. I di have to display L plates

@TheLadySif

I remember that if you had passed your motorbike test you could drive a three wheel car without having to pass your car test. This was in the 70s. Not many three wheelers about these days.

I thought that was why the Robin Reliant was invented - it was technically a trike, so you could drive it with only a motorbike licence.

Obviously that isn’t much of a selling point these days, but back then it apparently was.

Yes, I don't know when the changes happened, but passing my test allowed me to drive far more than my dcs can, on passing their tests.
In my mind I could drive a motorbike if I wanted to. Same as a minibus - it was automatically on my licence but my dcs would have to take a separate test.

It's Reliant Robin, not Robin Reliant! 3 wheeled cars date back much earlier, there are plenty of examples from the 20s and 30s.

We recently looked at getting a moped to get to the station. I could ride one up to 50cc without any cbt but my husband who passed his test more recently couldn't.

Yup. As well as motorbikes and mini buses, I can tow a trailer and Dc had to do a text to get it added.

Yup. As well as motorbikes and mini buses, I can tow a trailer and Dc had to do a text to get it added.

He could tow a trailer, just with certain weight restrictions. The test is to increase those limits and is likely to be done away with.

Back in the 70s/80s I drove a motorcycle on a provisional licence (with L plates) Could drive up to and including a 250cc; no obligation to take a test at all. The only thing we couldn't do was carry passengers or go on a motorway. Not that I fancied driving mine on a motorway anyway!!!

Yes. I passed my test in 1976 and I can ride a motorbike and a small lorry with a trailer among other things. I have never actually driven anything except a car and a camper van.

Yes and I had a 70cc motorbike in the 1980’s that I used to ride for 28 miles a day to get to my job as a fresh faced young nurse. I changed profession after 6 years. I used to have my uniform in a bag in a box on the back and the helmet ruined my ringlet perm after a few months. Such good times. Those nurses sure worked and played hard. I have some amazing memories.