Returing to Vespa PX125/T5?

[bryno]

Hi all, I'm planning on returning to the Vespa scene after *cough* years. I never got around to passing my test, so I'll be back on L plates for a while. Wonder if someone can advise on the following...

If I buy a PX125, can I take my 'A' test on this or does it not meet the '100km' requirement?

If I buy a classic T5 125, which I guess would be suitable for the A test, is it learner legal?

Ultimatly I do want to take the A test, but would prefer to do this on the same scoot I start out with as a learner.. cheers

[Big Scotty]

PX's don't qualify for the 'A' test. You need a T5 or an LML Star. ;D

[bryno]

Thanks for that, according to the Eddiebullet web site, only the Mk 1 T5 and the LML star qualify for passing the A test, meaning the T5 Classic won't, sounds odd given they have the same motor, can anyone confirm if the Classic is ok for the A test?

[Big Scotty]

Yep, Classic & Millenium versions are ok. If it says T5 on your V5 you're sorted.

[bryno]

Just to finish this thread.. I finally got an email back from the DSA who helpfully confirmed that there are some Vespa 125's that are ok for A and some that aren't, but they didn't say which!.. they suggested that I needed to write to Piaggio and get them to confirm in writing that my particular model was capable of 100KMH and take that to the test centre with me...

Well, as I've decided to get a T5 anyway, I'll just wing it and hope the test examiner accepts it without written proof!

[Spence]

Any examiner worth his salt will know that a T5's fast enough for a full bike test. The only problem I've heard of was one who knew about the T5 but didn't think the LML qualified. He marked the pass down as a light bikes license, and the person in question had a right pallaver appealing it, but he got it sorted in the end.

Just make sure before you start the test that the examiner knows it's a T5, because once he's written it down wrong it's a real arse to get it changed.

[bryno]

Right, did my CBT today, told the instructor I wanted to go on to do the 'A' test so I could ride any CC scooter, they say no need to, I can just do the 'A1' light motorcyle test as no scooter is over the 33HP limit and I can ride any CC scoot on A1...

As I undestand it the light only gets me legal on a 125 so I can't ride a 200 even if it is only 11HP or so..

I think the instructor is confusing the 'A' test with 'direct access' which clearly I won't need to do unless I want to hop on a Ducati Monster.... which I don't!

Am I right, do I need to do the A test to ride any CC scooter? confused!!

[Spence]

Ok here's the deal. You can take two types of full test, the Direct Access or the Restricted Access.

If you do Direct access you'll take lessons and do your test on a motorcycle, usually 250cc. If you pass that you can ride any size motorcycle straight away.

If you do Restricted Access you take lessons and do your test on a 125cc motorcycle. Pass that and you are restricted to any motorcycle with 23kw power output (or less) for two years from the date of your test. After that you can ride a motorcycle of any size. 23kw should mean a 125cc motorcycle or a 200cc scooter.

You can take a Restricted Access test on a 125cc scooter. If it is a Vespa T5, or apparently an LML 125, this has enough power output to qualify as a motorcycle and you will gain a full Restricted Access license. Take it on any other 125cc scooter and you will only qualify for a Light Bikes license, restricting you to 125cc scooters (maximum).

If some greasy bike trainer in a CBT academy tells you different, they are wrong. It's as simple as that. If your CBT or Testing centre insists that passing a test on a T5 only qualifies you for a Light Bikes license, go somewhere else where they know what they're talking about.

[bryno]

Thanks for that Spence, the training centre are clearly wrong, your advice is the same as I have read on the DSA site etc. they are confusing the 'A1 light' with 'restricted access'..

I'll be doing the restricted access test, sorted! .. got my theory test in 8 days