Now you know what to ride, you will need to start by applying for your provisional licence. There are two ways you can do this:

• Applying Online via the GOV.UK Website (£34)
• Go into your Local Post Office & apply by post (£43)

To get your Compulsory Basic Training booked, you will need to find a Motorcycle Training School near you.

The training schools themselves determine the price of the CBT, so depending on where you reside in the UK, prices can vary between schools. 

Some places will let you take your own moped or scooter, whereas others will provide one for you, so make sure to double-check with your selected training school well before you are due to go on the course.

Here at Lexham, we have written plenty of helpful guides on the whole CBT process for you to take a look at:

• CBT Preparation Guide: 10 Essential Things to Know Before Your Training Day
• What does Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) Involve?
• 6 Things You May Forget After Completing Your CBT

Whether you choose to buy a new or used moped is entirely at your discretion, and there will be pros and cons to whichever option you decide.

We discuss this in detail in our buying a scooter guide in depth. Though in brief, some positives of buying new include that these bikes will come with a warranty, and may even include free servicing packages, but they will be more expensive to buy. 

And when it comes to buying a used moped, whilst they may be cheaper, you will need to be very thorough when checking the bike over for any damage or that it may be stolen or previously written off.

When buying a used moped from a dealership or via a private sale (through the likes of AutoTrader), you will need to check for a few things before any money is exchanged. 

Before buying a second-hand moped, you should:

• Check if the engine starts easily when cold
• Search around the bike for any signs of rust, cracks, and/or scratches
• Take a close look at the tyres & tread for wear
• Test all of the electronics (ie, indicators, headlights, brake lights)
• Make sure to get all the paperwork (V5C/Logbook)
• Look out for any missing service history
• Check it has a valid MOT through the Government website
• Look to see if your bike has any outstanding finance

As this may be your first moped, it may be worth asking a parent or a friend who knows bikes to come with you to view it. That way, they can help you check the bike over and will know what to look out for.

Once you’ve got the moped, you’re going to need to insure it. At 16, the chances are you have not yet set up an insurance policy before, or if you are a parent reading this with very little experience and/or knowledge about mopeds, this process may seem complicated.

As you might expect, the average price of moped insurance for 16-year-olds is far higher than that for someone who has been riding for a long time. This is because they are far less experienced on the roads and are deemed to be a higher risk to insurance providers.

In order to set up a moped insurance policy in the UK, insurers will need the following information from you:

• Full name
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Occupation
• Estimated Mileage
• Valid CBT Certificate
• Any Previous Convictions
• Moped Details (i.e., Registration, Make & Model, Value & Modifications)
• Any Modifications made to your Moped
• Where it will be stored overnight & any security devices (i.e., tracker)

Moped Insurance for 16-year-olds works in the same way as any motorcycle or scooter insurance policy. When setting up the policy, you will be given the choice of three different levels of cover, these are:

Third-party only insurance covers any damage you may cause to a third party's person or property.

On the other hand, your own TPO insurance policy will not cover your bike if it is damaged in an accident.

Third Party, Fire, and Theft insurance includes everything under Third Party cover, as well as allowing you to claim off your policy should your vehicle be stolen or damaged as a result of a fire. It will also cover you if your bike has been stolen.

Comprehensive insurance covers as above but enables you to claim for accidental and malicious damage to your vehicle, including vandalism, a single-vehicle incident, or flood damage.

UK Law states that you must have Third Party Only Moped Insurance at a minimum, though in some cases, you may want to consider getting higher levels of cover that suit your needs.

Make sure to weigh up all of your options and deciding factors before committing to a certain level of cover.

As we mentioned earlier, inexperienced riders are most likely to experience higher insurance premiums. There are a few ways you can help bring down your insurance policy, such as:

• Make sure to get a few quotes and compare prices/excess to find the best deal
• Consider partaking in a DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme
• Storing it in a garage overnight
• Installing a tracker or immobiliser
• Only paying for cover you genuinely need
• Adding an older, more experienced rider to your policy*

*Please note: If you add a more experienced rider to your policy, and they won’t be riding your moped, this is considered fronting and is tantamount to fraud and misrepresentation. If you are found to be doing this, your policy may be cancelled or voided.

Whether you’re a new rider or a worried parent, it can be hard to find the ‘right’ answers to all of the questions you might have regarding mopeds and moped insurance. 

Below, we are going to be busting the myths you may have heard surrounding all things moped insurance for 16-year-olds…

If you have just turned, or are about to turn 16, you are required to hold a valid CBT certificate before you can legally ride a moped on UK roads.

There are exemptions to this, such as passing your full car licence before 1st February 2001. But in this case, this will not apply to you or the person you are looking for moped insurance for.

The simple answer is no. There are a few ways in which you can help the cost of your moped insurance decrease, such as partaking in an advanced rider safety course or building up your no claims bonus (NCB).

The current UK legislation does not legally permit you to ride a 125cc scooter at the age of 16.

However, once your birthday rolls around again the next year and you hit 17, you will then finally be able to ride a 125cc, provided you hold/still hold a valid CBT certificate.

The answer is yes. Regardless of which motorcycle licence you hold, the moment you ride on UK roads, you are legally required to have insurance for either your moped or scooter.

The only way you will be able to ride with a pillion is when you are legally allowed to ride without an L plate.

To ride without L Plates in the UK, you will be required to pass your full motorcycle licencing theory & practical tests. And, at 16, this is not possible.

So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my rundown of everything you need to know regarding getting moped insurance at 16 years old.