Tom Hardy puffs on an e-cigarette as he takes his £17K Triumph motorcycle for a spin

He became eligible to hit the road without restrictions as a bike rider,after passing his category A motorcycle test back in the summer of 2017.

And Tom Hardy appeared to be in his element when he was spotted puffing on an e-cigarette before taking his £17,000 Triumph for a spin in London over the weekend.

The Mad Max: Fury Road star, 43, was seen scrolling through his phone as he sat kerbside, before riding off through the streets of the English capital.

Going for a ride: Tom Hardy was spotted puffing on an e-cigarette before taking his £17,000 Triumph for a spin in London over the weekend

The west London native looked casually cool for his outing, donning camouflage-print combat trousers and a loose-fitting black hoodie.

Complementing his ensemble with a pair of Asics running shoes, the star wore a white graphic backpack, while a black safety helmet rested atop his head.

Back in June 2017, Tom was in the midst of taking motorbike lessons with Nuneaton-based Tim Smith of Two Wheels Motorcycle Training, when he was spotted stopping for a breather in an Esso garage in Whitestone.

Joanne Vowles, who had called in at the petrol station on the way to a Tom Jones gig at Sherwood Forest, said: ‘I asked him if he really was Tom Hardy and he said yes.’

Indulge: The screen heartthrob looked relaxed as he indulged before pressing on with his day

Indulge: The screen heartthrob looked relaxed as he indulged before pressing on with his day

Scroll: The Mad Max: Fury Road star was seen scrolling through his phone as he sat kerbside

Scroll: The Mad Max: Fury Road star was seen scrolling through his phone as he sat kerbside

She added of the screen star: ‘He was so humble, drop-dead gorgeous and a lovely bloke. I spotted him and I thought it just can’t be, so I looked again and he smiled.

‘After I checked he really was Tom Hardy, he came over, had a chat and we asked if we could take photos.

‘He said, “No problem, put them on Facebook.” He was so lovely. I asked him why he was here and he said he was taking his bike test.’

Tom’s instructor Tim Smith was equally complimentary, telling The Sun Online: ‘He’s a really nice guy, he’s down to earth and he’s not a celebrity with us.

‘He’s good to work with, he doesn’t come across as celebrity status. He’s a normal guy, he’s a very nice chap.’ 

Casually cool: The west London native looked casually cool for his outing, donning camouflage-print combat trousers and a loose-fitting black hoodie

Casually cool: The west London native looked casually cool for his outing, donning camouflage-print combat trousers and a loose-fitting black hoodie

Bag: The star wore a white graphic backpack, while a black safety helmet rested atop his head

Bag: The star wore a white graphic backpack, while a black safety helmet rested atop his head

As for how the star, who is one of the favourites to become the next James Bond, fared with his bike lessons, Tim noted: ‘He’s good at it. He’s really taken it on board.’ 

On the work front, the screen star’s biopic Capone was released on Netflix UK at the end of last month. 

Capone follows the last year of the mobster’s life, as he settles down in Florida after spending the past 10 years behind bars while struggling with his mental health.

The notorious gangster was originally sentenced to serve 11 years in prison for tax evasion though he was released early due to his failing health. 

Capone was just 48 years of age when he died in Palm Island, Florida in January 1947, so Tom was aged up up slightly for the role. 

Ensemble: The actor complemented his casual ensemble with a pair of Asics running shoes

Ensemble: The actor complemented his casual ensemble with a pair of Asics running shoes

Easy rider: Following his break, Tom put his helmet back on before riding off into the streets

Easy rider: Following his break, Tom put his helmet back on before riding off into the streets

Tom’s portrayal of Capone sees him plagued by his life of crime, while some scenes also see him wear adult diapers after soiling himself.  

Capone was diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhoea after arriving at the federal prison in Atlanta, and his health continued to decline. 

He was later diagnosed with neurosyphilis, syphilis of the brain, in 1938, which damaged his mental faculties to the point where he was said to have the mentality of a 12-year-old child in 1946. 

The biopic also stars Linda Cardellini as Capone’s wife Mae, Jack Lowden as FBI Agent Crawford, Matt Dillon as Johnny and Kyle MacLachlan as Karlock.

Josh Trank returned to the director’s chair for the first time since 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot, while also writing the screenplay and editing Capone. 

Drama: His latest film Capone follows the last year of the mobster's life, as he settles down in Florida after spending the past 10 years behind barsu00A0while struggling with his mental health

Drama: His latest film Capone follows the last year of the mobster’s life, as he settles down in Florida after spending the past 10 years behind bars while struggling with his mental health

Different look:u00A0Capone was just 48 years of age when he died in Palm Island, Florida in January 1947, so Tom was aged up up slightly for the role

Decline: Capone (pictured) was diagnosed with neurosyphilis in 1938, which damaged his mental faculties to the point where he was said to have the mentality of a 12-year-old child in 1946

Decline: Capone (R) was diagnosed with neurosyphilis in 1938, which damaged his mental faculties to the point where he was said to have the mentality of a 12-year-old child in 1946