Progressive Access

The progressive access route is for those people who have already passed their motorcycle test, but would like to upgrade to a higher licence.

Have you held your existing licence for 2 years?

If you have held your existing motorcycle licence for a minimum of 2 years, then you can upgrade to the next category of licence (providing you meet the minimum age requirement).

Upgrading from A2 to DAS (under 24 years old)

You can upgrade from an A2 restricted bike licence to a Direct Access unrestricted bike licence if you are under 24 years of age using the progressive access route.

For Example: If you passed your A2 motorcycle test when you were 19, you can take a practical test for the next level category (Category A - DAS) once you have turned 21 and have held your A2 licence for 2 years.

The progressive access route is the only way that you can take the DAS test if you are younger than 24 years of age, with the strict provission that you have held the previous entitlement (A2 Licence) for a minimum of 2 years.

Upgrading from A2 to DAS (over 24 years old)

If you passed your A2 motorcycle licence and wish to upgrade to DAS (an unrestricted motorbike licence), then you do not necessarily have to wait until you have held your A2 licence for 2 years before upgrading, since you meet the minimum age requirement of 24 to take the direct access test.

However, if you wish to upgrade before having held your A2 licence for 2 years, your motorcycle theory certificate will still need to be in date! If your motorcycle theory certificate has expired, then you will either need to re-take the motorcycle theory test again, or wait until you have held your A2 licence for a minimum of 2 years before you can upgrade your licence.

Upgrading from A1 to DAS (over 24 years old)

If you have held an A1 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, then you can only upgrade to DAS if you satisfy the minimum age requirement, which is 24 years old, but your motorcycle theory test must still be valid. If your motorcycle theory certificate has expired, then you will either need to re-take the motorcycle theory test again, or follow the entire progressive route by firstly upgrading to the A2 restricted licence and waiting until you have held your A2 licence for 2 years before you can upgrade your licence to a DAS full unrestricted licence.

Upgrading from A1 to DAS (under 24 years old)

If you are under 24 years of age, then you have to either wait until you reach the age of 24 or take the A2 test and hold the A2 restricted licence for 2 years before taking the DAS test.

You Don't Necessarily Need to Do Another Theory Test

The advantage of the Progressive Access route is that no theory is required you only have to re-take your practical tests (Module 1 & Module 2), and if you are unfortunate enough not to pass your practical test, your existing licence remains unaffected.

However, there is a scenario where you may have to re-take your theory. If you reach the minimum age requirement for the next category before you have held your existing licence for 2 years, then you can obviously take the test on that category as you meet all the requirements, but because you haven't held the lower category licence for 2 years yet, you will need to make sure that your motorcycle theory is still valid. If your motorcycle theory has expired, then you will either have to re-take your theory test or wait until you have held your existing motorbike licence for 2 years before upgrading via the progressive access route.

The Progressive Access Test

You will be required to complete both Module 1 and Module 2 in order to successfully upgrade your licence.

For more information about the test, and to find out what is involved, please click here.