Category A Motorcycle Training in Newtownards
Category A provides unrestricted motorcycle entitlement for eligible riders who complete the appropriate Direct or Progressive Access route.
CBT for beginners and experienced riders
AM, A1, A2 and Category A guidance
Off-road and on-road preparation
Direct and Progressive Access support
Route dependent
- Licence category
A
- Direct Access age
24
- Progressive Access age
21
- Practical tests
Manoeuvres + on-road
Overview
Requirements
Licence Route
Test Info
FAQs
Starting Rate
Assessment £50
What Category A training is for
Training goal
Direct Access from 24 or Progressive Access from 21 after the required A2 experience.
Assessment-led plan
Use the £50 assessment to establish current riding ability and likely training requirement where appropriate.
Training environment
Category-specific off-road manoeuvring and supervised on-road preparation.
Motorcycle
Please ask which motorcycle is used and whether it meets the current test standard for this category.
Eligibility for Category A Motorcycle Training
Direct Access
Minimum age 24; valid CBT if required; motorcycle theory and Category A practical tests.
Progressive Access
From age 21 after at least two years of full A2 entitlement, then Category A practical tests.
Theory on progression
Current official guidance states another theory test is not required when progressing after two years on A2.
Training on public roads
Category A learner riders must be accompanied by an Approved Motorcycle Instructor while training on public roads.
Your route to Category A
Direct Access
Age 24+ route using the required CBT/theory/practical stages.
Progressive Access
Age 21+ after at least two years of full A2 entitlement; relevant Category A practical tests.
Outcome
Unrestricted motorcycle entitlement within current Category A rules.
Ians Training Solutions role
Assess current experience and build the training plan around the route the rider is legally eligible to take.
Category A practical-test information
Theory test
Current DVA fee: £23 unless progressive-access rules mean another theory test is not required.
Module 1 / manoeuvres
Current DVA fee: £45 weekday / £60 evening & weekend.
Module 2 / on-road
Motorcycle practical test fees: £45 manoeuvres weekday and £80 on-road weekday; confirm current DVA rates.
Test motorcycle
The motorcycle used must meet the current minimum test-vehicle standard for the category.
Motorcycle test locations & prices
Bike Test, Ards and Mallusk: £140. Off-road Bike Test, Ballymena and Downpatrick: £190. These are Ians Training Solutions package prices. Contact the team to confirm the venue, availability and inclusions; official DVA fees are shown separately.
Category A motorcycle training options
- Buy Now
Assessment
Initial Category A route assessment.
£50 - Buy Now
Experienced Direct Access Package
For eligible experienced riders. Contact the team to confirm your licence route and training availability.
£680 - Buy Now
Beginner Direct Access Package
For eligible beginners. Contact the team to confirm your licence route and training availability.
£985 - Buy Now
Bike Test, Ards & Mallusk
Motorcycle test at Ards or Mallusk.
£140 - Buy Now
Off-road Bike Test, Ballymena & Downpatrick
Off-road motorcycle test at Ballymena or Downpatrick.
£190
Frequently Asked Questions
24 direct / 21 progressive under the relevant current route.
A valid CBT is required in the situations set out by current Northern Ireland rules. Progressive-access candidates may have different requirements depending on prior full entitlement.
Direct Access normally requires the motorcycle theory test. Progressive Access can remove the need for another theory test in some circumstances.
Ians Training Solutions assesses current experience before recommending a training plan.
A manoeuvres test followed by an on-road motorcycle practical test.
Current price list shows bike hire for test at £120. Confirm category suitability, insurance and exact inclusions.
Practical driver training from Newtownards
Clear information, category-specific tuition and support from choosing the right route through practical-test preparation.
Established Newtownards provider
Ians Training Solutions is based at 10 Jubilee Road, Newtownards.
Practical category-specific tuition
Choose training for car, motorcycle, HGV, PCV, trailer or caravan routes.
Clear pricing
Training prices, VAT and official DVA fees are kept separate and confirmed before booking.
Test preparation
Work towards the relevant theory, manoeuvre or practical-test requirements.
Wide range of licence categories
From manual and automatic car lessons to C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E and D.
Specialist Northern Ireland training
Enquiries are welcome from Newtownards, Comber, Bangor, Belfast, Dundonald and across Northern Ireland.