Trike Licensing & Tests

Before 19/01/2013: Drivers with full Category B (car) licence automatically had full trike entitlement (people who gained their full Category B licence prior to that date still retain their full trike entitlement under ‘grandfather rights’).

For UK and European licence holders, on 19/01/2013, trikes became a part of the Category A (motorcycle) licence.  Prior to that date they had fallen within the realm of the Category B (car) licence.

Riding Trikes on a Provisional Licence:

Since 19/01/2013: Only riders with a declared physical disability (registered with the DVLA) can ride a trike or take a test on a trike using a provisional licence.

First, they must complete a CBT course (slightly adapted for trikes).

1. As with motorcycles, the CBT certificate is valid for two years, after which, a further CBT course must be completed.

A provisional licence holder can only ride a trike of more than 125cc on the road if they are accompanied by a qualified instructor, under the same rules as the motorcycle Direct Access System (DAS).

1. The interpretation and enforcement of these rules have been toughened up recently due to selfish individuals who abused the system by continually riding on provisional licences with no intention of ever taking a test. Unsurprisingly, they are the very same people who are now complaining the most about the toughening up of the system. This is not the first time that a benefit fought long and hard for by the NABD has been lost due to the selfishness of a small number of individuals.

Trike Tests:  

Disabled riders can take slightly modified motorcycle Module-1 and Module-2 tests on a trike (or motorcycle/sidecar outfit).  The resultant Category A licence will be restricted to Trikes Only (or restricted to Sidecar-Equipped Motorcycles Only, if the test is completed using a motorcycle/sidecar outfit.)

The Theory Test for trikes or motorcycle/sidecar outfits is exactly the same as it is for motorcycles.

Licensing Categories:

• A full Category A1 motorcycle licence is required to ride trikes of more than 125cc with a power output up to 15 Kilowatts.
• A full Category A motorcycle licence is required to ride trikes with a power output more than 15 Kilowatts.
• A full unrestricted Category A licence (where the test is taken on a motorcycle) includes full trike and motorcycle/sidecar entitlements.

Trike and Motorcycle/Sidecar Riding for People Without Physical Disabilities:

People who have not declared physical disability to the DVLA (or the equivalent licensing authority where they live) cannot ride trikes or motorcycle/sidecar outfits on a provisional licence nor can they take a test on a trike or motorcycle/sidecar outfit.

Riding Trikes on a Car Licence in the UK:

In the UK a specific rule amendment was made on the 10^th of April 2014, which allows anyone over the age of 21 who holds a full UK Category B car licence to ride trikes.  This legislation is only applicable within UK territories.  Throughout the EU a post-2013 Category B licence does not carry a trike entitlement.

Rick Hulse
NABD Chairman