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Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Motoring

Motorcycle practical test explained

To pass the practical motorcycle test you need to pass its two separate modules within two years of passing your motorcycle theory test. The first module will test you doing set manoeuvres on the motorcycle in a safe off-road area. The second module is the on-road test.

Minimum test vehicle requirements

You have to use a suitable machine for the practical test that meets the minimum test vehicle requirements. You must use the same motorcycle for both modules.

Wear the right clothing

It is important to wear the right clothing whenever you ride, including whilst you are training and when you take both modules of your motorcycle test. Talk to your trainer about choosing the best clothing you can afford.

The manual 'The Official DSA Guide to Riding - the Essential Skills', which is published by the Stationery Office (TSO) can provide you with good advice about helmets, gloves, boots and other clothing.

There is an exemption to the safety helmet requirement for followers of the Sikh religion if they are wearing a turban.

Module one

You must provide all of the following valid documents:

  • your driving licence with the correct provisional entitlement - both the photocard and counterpart document or a valid UK passport to support a paper licence
  • your compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate (DL196)
  • your motorcycle theory test certificate

If you hold a full moped licence and wish to upgrade to a full motorcycle licence, or if you are 21 years old and wish to upgrade your motorcycle licence, you are exempt from the CBT and theory test.

Module one includes the following specified manoeuvres and generally takes around 20 minutes to complete:

  • wheeling the machine and using the stand
  • doing a slalom and figure of eight
  • cornering, hazard avoidance and controlled stop
  • U-turn
  • a slow ride
  • the emergency stop

There is a minimum speed requirement of 50 kilometres per hour (approximately 32 miles per hour) for the hazard avoidance and emergency stop exercises.

Module two

For module two you must produce your module one pass certificate, and all the documents that you had to present at the module one test.

Module two is the on-road module and typically takes around 40 minutes. This module includes the eyesight test, the safety and balance questions and the road riding element that will cover a variety of road and traffic conditions.

You’ll be asked to carry out normal stops, an angle start (pulling out from behind a parked vehicle) and, where possible, a hill start. The examiner will normally follow you on a motorcycle, using a radio to give you directions.

You can download a list of all the safety and balance questions you could be asked by the examiner.

The motorcycle practical test video

You can learn more about the motorcycle practical test by viewing the 'motorcycle practical test video', which provides a step-by-step demonstration of the two motorcycle test modules.

Your test results

At the end of module one, the examiner will give you the result and you can ask for feedback on how you did. If you passed, you’ll receive your module one pass certificate.

At the end of module two, the examiner will tell you whether you have passed or failed and you can ask for feedback on how you did.

If you fail either module, you should ask the examiner for feedback to help you prepare for your next test. Your driving test report will identify areas where any mistakes were made.

If you pass both modules, the examiner will explain to you how to change your provisional licence into a full licence.

Booking and retaking your test

You can book both modules at the same time but you must have passed your module one test before you can take module two.

If you fail module one you must wait three full working days before being eligible to retake your test.

You must give the Driving Standards Agency three full working days' notice of cancellation of a module two test, or you will lose your module two test fee. All candidates should leave a long enough time between the two modules to prevent this risk of losing the module two fee.

Candidates should also use the period between the two modules to develop their riding skills in preparation for the on road ride.

If you fail your module two test, you must wait 10 full working days before being able to retake the module.

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