To ride a moped or motorcycle on the road you need a CBT Certificate (DL 196) and the appropriate driving licence entitlement*. You will also require as a minimum a safety helmet, insurance, road fund licence and possibly an MOT.
Once you have your CBT certificate certain restrictions apply.
You must not
Ride on motorways
Carry a pillion passenger
You must
Ride with L plates fitted to the front and rear of the motorcycle
Your CBT certificate has a life of 2 years. After this time it will expire unless you take your practical test.
The minimum age you can take CBT is 16 and this will allow you to ride a moped. You need a driving licence that entitles you to ride mopeds (Category P). A moped is defined as having an engine no greater than 50cc with a design speed no more than 31 mph (50km/h).
At 17 years of age you are allowed to take your CBT on a motorcycle with an engine capacity of 125cc and a power output no greater than 14.6bhp (11kW). You will need a driving licence that has provisional entitlement to ride motorcycles (Category A).
* If you have passed your car driving test before 1st February 2001 this provides you with full moped entitlement, meaning you can ride a moped without L plates and carry a pillion passenger. However CBT will give you the practice and skills you need to ride safely so is highly recommended!