In many countries, you can’t just get a license for every motorcycle through a simple test, but you have to acquire it step-by-step by going through many theoretical and practical tests. In such countries, you need to upgrade your license with a new test before increasing the displacement/power output of your ride.
However, it is a quite easy process in India, you just have to give a simple test to opt a license for all two-wheelers including the high displacement motorcycles. That means you can give your riding test on a 100cc motorcycle to get a license and ride a 1000cc superbike on the road. This drawback of the system is considered as one of the biggest reason of most of the disastrous motorcycle crashes.
Now, the Indian Road Transport Ministry is proposing to mandate a separate license to ride the performance two-wheelers above 500cc on the roads. According to some reports, the new two-wheeler license concept will be much similar to the Europe’s categorized license system that are A1, A2 and A. Further, there are two different modules in the A1 category according to the age of the rider.
Before attempting the practical test for the A1 license category, you have to clear your CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) and the theory test, and their certificates will be valid for 2 years. If your age is 16 years, you have to give the test on a 50cc two-wheeler and get a license for the same. However, if your age is between 17-18 years, you have to give the test on a 120-125cc two-wheeler and get an A1 license for up to 125cc machines.
To get an A2 license, you have to ride with an A1 license for two years and your age should be at least 19 years. For the practical test, you have to use a motorbike displacing at least 395cc and its power output should be between 33-46.6bhp. After successfully passing the test, you will get an A2 category license to ride a two-wheeler with up to a 395cc engine and up to 46.6bhp of power output.
After having an A2 license for at least two years, you can apply for an A category license to ride any two-wheelers below or over 395cc. You can attempt the practical test for an A category license on a motorbike displacing at least 595cc with a minimum power output of 53.5bhp. After that, you finally earn your A category license to ride any two-wheeler on the road.
This kind of license system is much logical than our existing concept in India and rider becomes truly eligible for riding a performance motorcycle before getting a license to ride it. So, it will definitely help to reduce the motorbike crashes in the country, especially the disastrous ones.