Being disabled doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams. In many cases, if you’re disabled you can learn to ride a motorcycle or moped. As long as a motorcycle can be adapted for you, you’ll be able to work toward your motorcycling dreams. It’s exactly what Jacob did – read his inspiring story of learning to ride after a spinal injury.

So, if you’re disabled and want to learn to ride a motorcycle, this blog is for you. We cover the kinds of adaptions you can make to motorcycles to suit you. We’ll also let you know a little about what to expect from the motorcycle licence tests and how to prepare for your beginner motorcycle journey. After reading this, you’ll be able to book your CBT training with confidence. So let’s go!

Learning to ride a motorcycle or scooter when you have a disability

If you have a disability and you want to learn to ride a motorcycle, moped or scooter, the first step is to contact the DVLA about your condition. They’ll be able to chat with you about it. They’ll tell you if it should be reported or recorded. They’ll also outline your next steps.

Before you take CBT training, you’ll need to get a provisional driving licence. There is no test for this. You’re able to apply online with a few personal details and a payment of around £34. It’s a little more expensive if you apply with paper forms through the post office.

CBT training and assessments usually use standard motorcycles and scooters. The same is true for motorcycle licence tests. However, if you’ve been advised by the DVLA that you can learn to ride with your disability and take your test, some changes to the test can sometimes be made.

It depends on the type of disability you have. If you have a learning disability, you may ask for assistance with the theory test – you can listen to the questions instead of having to read them. If you have a physical disability, speak with one of our team about the adaptions you need for your disability. They’ll let you know if this can fit with the testing circumstances and what you need to do to prepare to learn to ride with a disability.

Acceptable adaptions to motorcycles for disabled riders

If your physical ability makes it impossible to operate standard controls on a motorbike or scooter, an adapted bike could be the answer.  Balance is another concern if you have a limb impairment.

You can adapt motorcycles for disabled riders in a number of ways:

• Reposition the controls to be operated by a different limb
• Clutchless gear shifts
• Thumb throttles
• Modified footplates
• Drop-down stabilisers for when stationary
• Trikes and sidecars for improved stability.

Some adaptions will be able to be accommodated by a motorcycle training school, but others won’t. If you’re not sure what the best approach is for your disability when learning to ride, an assessment at a mobility centre is a good idea.

Once you know exactly what you need to be able to ride a motorcycle, moped or scooter safely, it will be much easier to arrange training. For further advice on motorbike adaptations, the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) are a great resource for information.  They’ll be able to answer all of your questions about motorcycle adaptations, licensing rules and codes, carrying pillion passengers and even sometimes give input from a clinician.