You can ride a moped or scooter in the UK once you are 16 years old but you must complete a Compulsory Basic Training Course to first validate your provisional licence.

A moped is classed as a motorcycle which has a maximum design speed which does not exceed 50 kilometres per hour. A moped must also have an engine capacity no greater than 50cc.

In order to ride a moped you must first hold a provisional moped licence which allows you to ride your moped on the road as a learner so long as L plates can be visibly seen. Your provisional Licence is only valid however once you have passed your CBT. If you want to ride your moped on the road without L plates, you must take and pass your theory and practical driving test.

Compulsory Basic Training is a short course containing 5 elements :

• Introduction
• Practical on-site training
• Practical on-site riding
• Practical on-road training
• Practical on-site riding

You must complete the elements in sequence and your trainer must be confident in your ability in an element before you will be allowed to move onto the next. Once you have completed all 5 sections, you will be given a DL 196 Certificate of Completion which is valid for 2 years. If the theory and practical test are not taken within 2 years the CBT will expire and need to be retaken.