This means that if you are sitting your motorcycle test for categories A1, A2 or A on or after the 30th November 2013, the changes below will apply to you. These changes are related to the motorcycle being presented at the rsa test centre.

The following are the changes which will be in effect from that date:

A 5 cc tolerance on the cylinder capacity (cc) for all motorcycle categories presented at the driving test centre.

The Driver Testing Service provided for this tolerance to be incorporated in the changes to representative vehicles for the driving test introduced on the 19th January 2013 for categories A and A2. For category A, the 5cm3 tolerance was applied to the minimum 600cm3 making the vehicle requirement at least 595cm3. For category A2, the 5cm3 tolerance was applied to the 400cm3 making the vehicle minimum requirement at least 395cm3. These tolerance levels still apply.

The change in November relates to the 5cm3 tolerance being also applied to category A1, which means that the minimum acceptable cylinder capacity changes from 120cm3 to 115cm3 for the purposes of the driving test. The official definition of a category A1 motorcycle as a representative vehicle for the driving test will therefore be changed to:

“A Category A1 motorcycle without sidecar, with a cylinder capacity of at least 115cm3 and not exceeding 125cm3, and capable of a speed of at least 90km/h, with a power not exceeding 11kW and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW/kg. If the motorcycle is powered by an electric motor, the power to weight ratio of the vehicle shall be at least 0.08 kW/kg”.

Unladen mass for category A motorcycles for the driving test

With effect from the 30th November 2013, there is a requirement that any category A vehicle presenting for the driving test must have an unladen mass (unladen weight) of more than 180kg with a 5kg tolerance. Therefore, only motorcycles with an unladen mass of over 175kg will be acceptable for driving test purposes.

Driver Testing Section is currently creating a list for customers with the most common motorcycles, which incorporates whether they meet the requirement for unladen mass for the purposes of the driving test. This list will be available before the 30th November 2013 on this website.

Change to kW requirement for category A2 vehicles for the driving test

The kW requirement for category A2 motorcycles presenting for the driving test which were introduced on the 19th January 2013, required at least 25kW but not exceeding 35kW.

From 30th November 2013, the minimum requirement is changing from 25kW to 20kW. The official definition of a category A2 motorcycle as a representative vehicle for the driving test will therefore be changed to:

“A Category A2 motorcycle without sidecar, with a cylinder capacity of at least 395cm3, and an engine power of at least 20kW, but not exceeding 35kW and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. If the motorcycle is powered by an electric motor, the power to weight ratio of the vehicle shall be at least 0.15kW/kg”.

Change in kW requirement for category A vehicles for the driving test

The kW requirement for category A motorcycles presenting for the driving test which was introduced on the 19th January 2013, required at least 40kW.

From 30th November 2013, the minimum requirement is changing from 40kW to 50kW. The official definition of a category A motorcycle as a representative vehicle for the driving test will therefore be changed to:

“A Category A motorcycle without sidecar, whose unladen mass is more than 175kg, with an engine power of at least 50kW. If the motorcycle is powered by an internal combustion engine, the cubic capacity of the engine shall be at least 595cm3. If the motorcycle is powered by an electric motor, the power to weight ratio of the vehicle shall be at least 0.25kW/kg”. 

Current rules :

for Tests on ;

A1= 125CC, 11KW Max.

A2 = Min 245cc with Min of 20 kw and max of 35 kw.

A = Min 595cc with min of 50 kw.

Source: RSA.ie