Licence test on a scooter?

[Nat]

I've got a 100cc scooter, can a friend of mine borrow it to sit his restricted licence test? Its easily powerful enough to keep up with traffic, and you can go on the motorway with it too..

Anyone know?

Or should I just phone the LTSA??

[Matt_TG]

You probably could use a 100cc scooter as it's over 50cc, therefore it's a bike that needs more than just a car licence. In order to ride it without a L plate you would need at least a restricted licence, and to stay within the law if you carry a pillion you'd need to be on a full licence so I reckon you would be ok with it. Ring LTSA though, to be sure.

[sefer]

Will be ok as long as it goes fast enough.

You actually can use a 50cc for your test as well, as long as it's not reg'ed as a moped, but you can (and people have) be failed for not going fast enough. And no, the fact that you can't go any faster will not get you around that one

[davereid]

I asked the LTSA this question - you can even use a moped if you want !. I was a litle suprised, but I asked the question several times, and got the same answer.

[Blue Velvet]

Will be ok as long as it goes fast enough.

You actually can use a 50cc for your test as well, as long as it's not reg'ed as a moped, but you can (and people have) be failed for not going fast enough. And no, the fact that you can't go any faster will not get you around that one

Yes, my friend narrowly escaped failing their restricted after going below the limit in a 70kph zone.

[UberRhys]

Will be ok as long as it goes fast enough.

That is the golden rule as far as I can see. You need to be able to attain motorway speeds and this is where the penny drops.

[Pancakes]

Wouldn't it need gears? DOn't you get and "Auto" condition on your car licence now if you sit the test in an auto?

[Nat]

Sweet as! That's really cool. Even motorway speeds aren't a problem, it maxes out at like 95, and the motorway around the city is all 80 zones and loads of traffic as well.

Thanks for the info everyone!

[Warren]

Wouldn't it need gears? DOn't you get and "Auto" condition on your car licence now if you sit the test in an auto?

No, you won't get any restriction on your restricted licence if taking the test in a bike without gears, unlike doing the 1R with a automatic car.

[Pancakes]

Well I think they need to change that.

[Harry33]

Could you do a full licence on a scooter?

[EJK]

Could you do a full licence on a scooter?

I doubt it if you are talking about 50cc scooter

[Matt_TG]

Some of these new big 'scooters' are 650 odd cc's and don't have gears so it's not a issue

[Warren]

Could you do a full licence on a scooter?

Yep, you can even do them on hogs nowadays as long as it is 250cc or below.

As above the LTSA will even allow mopeds (what most 50cc scooters are classified as) for licence tests as well as motorcycles (50cc to 250cc, including more powerful scooters which are classified as motorcycles).

[Ixion]

There is some misinformation here.

These are the rules from the LTSA website

Pre-test roadworthiness check

You need to provide the motorcycle that you'll ride for the test. (Note that you must sit the test on a motorcycle, not a moped or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).)

Your motorcycle will be checked for roadworthiness before the test begins. If it isn't roadworthy - even if it has a current WoF - the test won't proceed and you'll need to book and pay for another test. (The test fee won't be refunded.)

The roadworthiness check includes:

* Licence label and WoF: The motorcycle must display a current licence label and a current WoF label.
* Tyres and wheels: The motorcycle's tyres must have legal tread depth and no uneven wear. The wheels must appear undamaged.
* Indicators: The indicators must operate correctly and all lenses must be intact.
* Brake lights: The brake lights must operate correctly and all lenses must be intact.
* Headlights: The high and low beams must operate and the lenses must be intact.
* Horn: The horn must operate satisfactorily.

So you must take the test on a MOTORCYCLE. This rules out mopeds (and the requirement for a WoF would also). As the quote explicitly notes. And it must be under 251cc, because as a L or R licence holder you may not legally ride anything larger.

But the distinction between a scooter and a motorcycle is irrelevant, the law knows nothing of scooters. So long as it has two wheels, and is 51cc to 250cc it qualifies. Note that SOME 50cc or under machines may also qualifiy because they develop sufficient power that they are registered as motorcycles, not mopeds.

An interesting question does arise.

The LTSA say that the machine you present on must have functioning lights, indictaors and brakelight. What would happen if someone presented on a pre 1978 bike, complete with WoF and rego , and working headlights etc., but no indicators or stop lights? Not 'there but not working', just none at all. Pre 1978 vehicles are not required to have indicators or stop lights for a WoF, and cannot legally be deemed unroadworthy because of their absence. The rider would have to use hand sgnals of course, but that is still perfectly legal (Incidentally, it is still legal to give a hand signal instead of using your indicators, the law simply requires that you 'signal', and a hand signal is a valid signal in law). I imagine it would be an interesting discussion, but I think that the LTSA would have no legal grounds to refuse to carry out the test.