Essential documents: motorcycle theory test questions

CBT, licences, theory test validity, insurance, tax, MOT and the paperwork every rider needs. Practise 15 free essential documents questions with instant answers and explanations – no sign-up.

  • 15 questions
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  • Highway Code references

Essential documents: revision notes

Before you ride on the road you need the right licence, training and paperwork. Riding without them can lead to fines, penalty points and invalid insurance.

  • CBT: compulsory basic training is usually needed before you ride on the road. The certificate lasts 2 years, and riding without a valid one can mean a fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points (GOV.UK).
  • Learners: must display L plates (or D plates in Wales), must not carry passengers and must not use motorways (Highway Code rules 85 and 253).
  • Licence categories: AM mopeds from 16, A1 up to 125 cc and 11 kW from 17, A2 from 19, and A by direct access from 24.
  • Vehicle documents: you need at least third party insurance, vehicle tax (or a SORN) and an MOT once the bike is 3 years old (Annex 3).
  • New riders: 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your first test means your licence is revoked.

Tip: your theory test pass lasts 2 years, so book your practical training in good time.

All essential documents questions and answers

Revise every question in this topic. Tap a question to see the correct answer and why.

1How long is a CBT certificate valid for?
  1. 1 year
  2. 2 years ✓
  3. 3 years
  4. 5 years

Answer: 2 years. A CBT certificate is valid for 2 years. Pass your full test within that time or retake CBT.

GOV.UK: Compulsory basic training (CBT)

2You're 17 and have passed CBT. What can you ride with L plates?
  1. A motorcycle up to 35 kW
  2. Any size of motorcycle
  3. A motorcycle up to 125 cc and 11 kW ✓
  4. Only mopeds under 50 cc

Answer: A motorcycle up to 125 cc and 11 kW. After CBT, at 17 you can ride up to 125 cc with power output up to 11 kW, with L plates.

GOV.UK: Compulsory basic training (CBT)

3What does passing CBT at the age of 16 allow you to ride?
  1. A moped with L plates ✓
  2. A 125 cc motorcycle
  3. A motorcycle up to 35 kW
  4. Any motorcycle on a motorway

Answer: A moped with L plates. Once you've passed CBT at 16, you can ride a moped on the road with L plates (or D plates in Wales). Larger motorcycles need you to be at least 17.

GOV.UK: Compulsory basic training (CBT)

4What can happen if you ride without a valid CBT certificate?
  1. A fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points ✓
  2. A warning letter only
  3. Your bike will be repainted
  4. A fine of £50 and no points

Answer: A fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points. Riding without a valid CBT certificate can lead to a fine up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points.

GOV.UK: Compulsory basic training (CBT)

5How long is your theory test pass certificate valid for?
  1. 1 year
  2. 2 years ✓
  3. 5 years
  4. 6 months

Answer: 2 years. Your theory test pass is valid for 2 years. Pass your practical test within that time.

GOV.UK: Motorcycle theory test

6When does a motorcycle usually need its first MOT?
  1. When you first buy it
  2. When it's 1 year old
  3. When it's 5 years old
  4. When it's 3 years old ✓

Answer: When it's 3 years old. Motorcycles, like cars, need their first MOT 3 years after first registration and then every year. Riding without a valid MOT can also affect your insurance.

Highway Code Annex 3

7What's the minimum insurance cover you must have to ride on the road?
  1. Breakdown cover
  2. Comprehensive
  3. Third party ✓
  4. Third party, fire and theft

Answer: Third party. Third party insurance is the legal minimum. It covers injury to others and damage to their property, but not damage to your own bike.

Highway Code Annex 3

8You're keeping your motorcycle off the road and untaxed. What must you do?
  1. Remove the number plate
  2. Tell your insurer only
  3. Nothing, if you keep it in a garage
  4. Make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) ✓

Answer: Make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). If you keep your motorcycle off the road and untaxed, you must make a SORN. It's an offence to keep an untaxed vehicle without one.

Highway Code Annex 3

9You sell your motorcycle. Who must you tell?
  1. DVSA
  2. Your MOT centre
  3. DVLA ✓
  4. Your local council

Answer: DVLA. DVLA keeps the vehicle records, so you must tell them when you sell your bike. Until you do, you may be held responsible for fines linked to it.

Highway Code Annex 3

10You passed your first riding test 18 months ago. How many points would get your licence revoked?
  1. 3 or more points
  2. 6 or more points ✓
  3. 9 or more points
  4. 12 or more points

Answer: 6 or more points. New drivers and riders who get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing their first test lose their licence.

GOV.UK: Penalty points (endorsements) - new drivers

11What's the minimum age for an A2 motorcycle licence?
  1. 17
  2. 19 ✓
  3. 21
  4. 24

Answer: 19. The minimum age for an A2 licence is 19. A2 covers motorcycles up to 35 kW, a step up from the A1 limit of 11 kW.

GOV.UK: Riding a motorcycle or moped

12What's the minimum age to take direct access for category A?
  1. 18
  2. 19
  3. 21
  4. 24 ✓

Answer: 24. You can take direct access training and tests for an unrestricted category A licence from age 24. Riders can also reach category A at 21 by progressing from A2.

GOV.UK: Riding a motorcycle or moped

13Which two things must a learner motorcyclist do? Mark two answers.
  1. Display L plates on the front and back (D plates allowed in Wales) ✓
  2. Use motorways only at off-peak times
  3. Carry a pillion who holds a full licence
  4. Ride only with an instructor present
  5. Hold a valid CBT certificate ✓

Answer: Display L plates on the front and back (D plates allowed in Wales); Hold a valid CBT certificate. Learners must display L plates and have a valid CBT certificate. They can't carry passengers or use motorways.

GOV.UK: Compulsory basic training (CBT)

14Which document shows who is the registered keeper of a motorcycle?
  1. The vehicle registration certificate (V5C) ✓
  2. The insurance certificate
  3. The CBT certificate
  4. The MOT certificate

Answer: The vehicle registration certificate (V5C). The V5C (log book) records the registered keeper. Tell DVLA if you buy or sell the bike or change your name or address.

Highway Code Annex 3

15Do you need to pass the theory test before taking the practical riding test?
  1. Only for mopeds
  2. No, it can be taken afterwards
  3. Only if you're under 21
  4. Yes, you must pass it first ✓

Answer: Yes, you must pass it first. You must pass your motorcycle theory test before you can take the practical riding test. The pass certificate lasts 2 years.

GOV.UK: Motorcycle theory test

Frequently asked questions

How long does a CBT certificate last?

2 years. If you haven't passed your full moped or motorcycle test within that time, you need to retake CBT or stop riding.

What can I ride after CBT?

At 16 you can ride a moped, and at 17 a motorcycle up to 125 cc with a power output of up to 11 kW, both with L plates.

How long is a motorcycle theory test pass valid?

Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years. You must pass your practical test within that time or take the theory test again.

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Original practice questions based on The Highway Code (Open Government Licence v3.0). Not the real test questions. MockTheory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA.

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