Category AM and who can ride a moped
A moped is often the first motor vehicle a young person can ride on the road. In Great Britain mopeds sit in their own licence category, AM, which you can start at 16.
This page explains what counts as a moped, who can ride one, and the different routes to riding legally, including the rules for people who already hold a car licence.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can say what makes a vehicle a moped under category AM.
- You can state the minimum age for riding a moped.
- You can describe the learner route: provisional licence, CBT, theory test and practical test.
- You can explain what a car licence does and does not let you ride.
- You can recognise what happens if you ride without valid CBT.
What you need to know and understand
- Category AM covers 2- or 3-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed over 25 km/h (15.5 mph) and up to 45 km/h (28 mph).
- Category AM also covers light quad bikes with a mass in running order of 425 kg or less, within the same speed range.
- Category Q covers 2- or 3-wheeled mopeds without pedals, with an engine of 50cc or less and a top speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph). Q comes with AM.
- The minimum age to ride a moped is 16.
- Learners need a provisional licence and a completed CBT course before riding on the road, with L plates (L or D plates in Wales).
- After CBT you must pass your theory and practical moped tests within 2 years, or retake CBT or stop riding.
- Riding without a valid CBT certificate can bring a fine of up to 1,000 pounds and up to 6 penalty points.
What counts as a moped
The key test is the vehicle's maximum design speed, not just how it looks. A scooter or small motorcycle built to go no faster than 45 km/h (28 mph) is a moped. Anything faster, such as a 125cc scooter, is a motorcycle and needs at least category A1 and a minimum age of 17.
Electric mopeds are treated the same way: it is the design speed and category that matter, not the fuel.
The learner route at 16
Our guide to moped CBT at 16 goes into more detail on booking and preparing for the course.
- Apply for a provisional driving licence that includes moped entitlement.
- Complete compulsory basic training (CBT) with an approved training body. It is a course, not a pass-or-fail test, and ends with a certificate of completion.
- Ride on the road with L plates for up to 2 years while you practise.
- Pass the motorcycle theory test (the same theory test covers mopeds).
- Pass the practical moped test to get a full AM licence, with no more L plates.
If you already have a car licence
The rules depend on when you passed your car test.
- Passed your car test before 1 February 2001: you already have full moped entitlement and can ride a moped without L plates. CBT is not required, but it is still recommended.
- Passed your car test on or after 1 February 2001: you must complete CBT before riding a moped on the road. Once CBT has validated your moped entitlement, you can ride without L plates.
- If you complete CBT and then pass your car test while the CBT certificate is still valid, your full moped entitlement is activated.
- A car licence alone never covers a motorcycle above moped level. That needs CBT and the right motorcycle category.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any small scooter is a moped. Check the design speed; 125cc scooters are motorcycles.
- Thinking CBT is a full licence. It only lets you ride with L plates for up to 2 years.
- Letting the 2-year CBT period run out. Book your theory and practical tests in good time.
- Assuming a car licence covers mopeds. It depends on when you passed.
Test yourself: Category AM and who can ride a moped
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Go deeper
Sources: Driving licence categories, AM and Q (gov.uk); CBT motorcycle and moped training (gov.uk); Highway Code Annex 2, motorcycle licence requirements (gov.uk); Running a motorcycle approved training body: what driving licences learner riders need (gov.uk). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the DVSA.