The motorcycle practical riding test is designed to see if you:

• can ride safely in different road and traffic conditions
• know the Highway Code and can show this through your riding ability

You’ll pass your riding test if you show the required standard. There are no pass or fail quotas.

The rules for the types of moped or motorcycle you can use for your test changed on 19 January 2013.

You'll need to have passed your theory test before taking your practical test.

Your test may be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you don't bring the right documents.

You must bring the following to both modules of the riding test:

• your theory test pass certificate (or confirmation) if you’re not exempt from taking the theory test
• both parts of your driving licence - the photocard and the paper counterpart
• your compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate

Bring your module 1 test pass certificate to your module 2 test. Contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) straight away if you lose this - give as much notice as possible to make sure the right information is sent to the driving test centre in time.

DSA customer service centre
Telephone: 0300 200 1122
Monday to Friday, 8am to midday
Find out about call charges

If you have an old-style paper licence, you must take your signed driving licence and a valid passport. No other form of photographic identification is accepted.

If you’ve lost your driving licence

You'll need to apply for a replacement if you lose your driving licence. This could take up to 15 days and you may have to rearrange your test.

If you've lost your theory test certificate

Contact DSA with your name and driving licence number as soon as possible. DSA doesn't issue replacement certificates, but will send you a letter containing your certificate number.

DSA - theory test enquiries
customercare@pearson.com
Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (English), 0300 200 1133 (Welsh)
Textphone: 0300 200 1166
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges

The practical motorcycle test is split into 2 separate modules:

• off-road module
• on-road module

You need to pass both modules to get a full motorcycle licence.

You can book both modules at the same time, but you must pass module 1 before you take module 2.

If you don’t pass module 1, you must wait 3 full working days before you can retake it.

Cancelling module 2

You have to give 3 full working days’ notice to cancel your module 2 test. Otherwise you'll lose your module 2 test fee.

You should leave a long enough time between the 2 modules so you don't lose the module 2 fee if you don't pass module 1 first time.

If you don’t pass module 2, you have to wait 10 full working days before you can take it again.

Reporting for your riding test modules

You need to bring certain documents with you and a suitable moped or motorcycle.

Clothing rules

You must wear:

• a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards (this doesn’t apply if you’re Sikh and wearing a turban)
• motorcycle boots or other sturdy footwear that provides support and ankle protection
• textile or leather motorcycle trousers or heavy denim trousers
• a textile or leather motorcycle jacket or a heavy denim jacket with several layers underneath
• motorcycle gloves

Your test will be cancelled and you'll lose your fee if you don't meet these standards.

Module 1: off-road manoeuvres

Module 1 is the off-road module and normally takes about 20 minutes.

It includes:

• wheeling the moped or motorcycle and using the stand
• riding a slalom and figure of 8
• a slow ride
• a U-turn
• cornering and controlled stop
• cornering and the emergency stop
• cornering and hazard avoidance

There is a minimum speed for the hazard avoidance and emergency stop exercises:

• for mopeds this is around 19mph
• for motorcycles this is around 31mph

Motorcycle manoeuvring area

Module 1 takes place in a safe off-road area called a motorcycle manoeuvring area. The layout of the area depends on where you take your test.

You can download diagrams showing the different types of layout.

Download 'Motorcycle manoeuvring - DSA multi-purpose test centre' (PDF, 622KB)

Download 'Motorcycle manoeuvring - avoidance to left' (PDF, 104KB)

Download 'Motorcycle manoeuvring - avoidance to right' (PDF, 114KB)

Module 2: on-road riding

Module 2 is the on-road module and normally takes about 40 minutes.

You must bring your module 1 pass certificate to module 2, plus all the documents you had to bring to the module 1 test.

What happens during module 2

Module 2 includes:

• eyesight test
• safety questions
• road riding
• independent riding

The eyesight test

You'll have to correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle.

The vehicle will be at least 20 metres away if it has a new-style number plate, and 20.5 metres away if it has an old-style number plate.

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, for example AB51 ABC.

You’ll fail your test if you can’t pass the eyesight test. The test won’t continue.

You can write down what you see if you can't speak English or have difficulty reading.

Vehicle safety questions

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

Download 'Vehicle safety questions for motorcycle tests' (PDF, 15KB)

Road riding

You’ll ride in 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)
• a hill start (where possible)

The examiner will give you directions using a radio. They will normally follow you on a motorcycle.

Independent riding

You'll have about 10 minutes of independent riding. This is designed to assess your ability to ride safely while making your own decisions.

At the end of module 2

At the end of module 2, the examiner will give you the result and feedback. If you pass, the examiner will explain to you how to change your provisional licence into a full licence.

Your riding test result

At the end of each module the examiner will tell you if you've passed or not and give you feedback on your riding.

When you pass module 1, you'll get your module 1 pass certificate which you’ll need when you take module 2.

When you pass module 2, you’ll be told how to claim your test pass and get your full licence.

Types of faults

There are 3 types of faults that can be marked:

• a dangerous fault - involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
• a serious fault - could potentially be dangerous
• a rider fault - not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault throughout your test it could become a serious fault

Module 1 pass mark

You need to make 5 or fewer rider faults to pass module 1.

You'll automatically fail if you make 1 serious or dangerous fault.

Module 2 pass mark

You need to make 10 or fewer rider faults to pass module 2.

You'll automatically fail if you make 1 serious or dangerous fault.

Your practical motorcycle test will include approximately 10 minutes of independent riding.

How the test works

During your test you’ll have to ride independently by either following:

• traffic signs
• a series of directions
• a combination of both

To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram.

If you forget the directions

It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way.

Independent riding is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Riding independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

You can’t use sat nav. If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.

Download 'Independent driving route diagram example' (PDF, 315KB)

Going off the independent riding route

Your test result won't be affected if you go off the independent riding route, unless you make a riding fault.

The examiner will help you get back on the route if you go off the route or take a wrong turning.

Poor traffic signs

The examiner will give you directions if there are poor or obscure traffic signs. You won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

You’ll pass your test if you make:

• 5 or less riding faults on module 1
• 10 or less riding faults on module 2
• no serious or dangerous faults

When the test has ended, you can call your instructor over so they can listen to the result and give you feedback afterwards.

The examiner will tell you:

• whether you passed or not
• how you did during the test
• how fuel-efficient your riding is

The different types of faults

A fault can be:

• a dangerous fault - involving actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
• a serious fault - which could potentially be dangerous
• a driving fault - which isn’t potentially dangerous, but could become a serious fault if you make it often

If you pass your test

The examiner will give you a pass certificate if you pass the test. Your full licence will be sent to you.

Once you have passed your test you can start riding straight away - you don't need to wait for your full licence to arrive.

If you don't pass

You’ll have to wait:

• 3 working days before you can take another module 1 test
• 10 working days before you can take another module 2 test

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) recommends that all learner riders book their practical test through the official booking service. There is no administration fee. Unofficial booking websites may charge a fee.

Retests

You’ll have to pay the full amount again if you don’t pass your practical test and want to take another one.

The rules about the moped or motorcycle you use for your riding test changed on 19 January 2013.

Rules for mopeds

The moped you use for your test must:

• be a solo machine
• be no more than 50cc
• have a top speed of no more than 28mph
• have a speedometer measuring speed in mph
• display L plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) on the front and rear
• be insured, taxed and roadworthy and have no engine warning lights showing

Rules for all motorcycles

The motorcycle you use for your test must:

• have a speedometer measuring speed in mph
• display L plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) on the front and rear
• be insured, taxed and roadworthy and have no engine warning lights showing
• be suitable for the test you’re taking

Read the list of motorcycles that can be used for practical riding tests.

Automatic and semi-automatic motorcycles

If you pass your test on a motorcycle with automatic or semi-automatic transmission you'll only get a full licence for those types of motorcycle.

Age restrictions

There are age restrictions on the category of motorcycle you can use to take your test.

The table below shows what sub-category you’ll need to use for module 2 if you passed module 1 before 19 January 2013.

Your licence is only valid for the sub-category of motorcycle you pass your module 2 test on.

Motorcycle sub-categories

There are 3 sub-categories of motorcycles you can use for your test. The sub-category of motorcycle you use affects the sub-categories you can ride after passing your test.

You must use the same sub-category of motorcycle for both modules of the test.

Sub-category A1 (light motorcycle)

Sub-category A1 motorcycles used for tests must:

• be a solo motorcycle
• be between 120cc and 125cc
• be no more than 11kW engine power
• be capable of at least 55mph

Sub-category A2 (standard motorcycle)

Sub-category A2 motorcycles used for tests must:

• be a solo motorcycle
• be at least 395cc
• be between 25kW and 35kW engine power
• have a power to weight ratio no more than 0.2kW/kg

If the engine power of the motorcycle has been restricted to fit sub-category A2, the normal unrestricted power can't be more than double its new restricted power.

If you have an A2 restricted motorcycle, you must bring proof of the restriction to your test, or it will be cancelled. It must be on headed notepaper from a main dealer, official importer or recognised specialist, and must show the motorcycle’s registration number.

A dyno test certificate will not be accepted as proof of the restriction.

Example
If the original unrestricted power of your motorcycle was 60kW, you can’t restrict it to less than 30kW.

Category A (unrestricted)

Category A unrestricted motorcycles used for tests must:

• be a solo motorcycle
• be at least 595cc
• be at least 40kW engine power

Rules for motorcycles with sidecars

You can only use a motorcycle with a sidecar for your test if you have certain disabilities.

The rules for a motorcycle with a sidecar are the same as for a solo motorcycle, but:

• categories A and A1 can’t have a power to weight ratio of more than 0.16kW/kg
• passengers are not allowed to ride in the sidecar during the test

Your licence will only be for motorcycles with sidecars if you pass your test in a motorcycle with sidecar.

Motorcycles with variable power modes

It must be clear what power mode any switchable engine control unit (ECU) or variable power device is set to. If you are using one of these, your motorcycle cannot have:

• interchangeable carburettor heads
• an exhaust manifold restrictor
• a hidden ECU

When you book your practical test you should say if you have any special needs or disabilities.

You take the same test as everyone else, no matter how serious your disability is. However, you may get extra help.

Hearing difficulties

The examiner will agree with you the best way to communicate if you’re deaf or have hearing difficulties. For example:

• using written notes
• looking at you to help you lip read
• using a sign-language interpreter

Sign language

You can bring your own interpreter for your practical test if you use sign language.

They must be at least 16 years old. Your motorcycle trainer can be your interpreter.

You’ll need to arrange your own interpreter and pay any fees that they charge.

If you’re pregnant

You can take a practical test at any stage of your pregnancy. However, you must be able and willing to:

• do an emergency stop
• manually handle and wheel the motorcycle
• do the cornering and hazard avoidance exercise

English isn’t your first language

You can bring your own interpreter for your practical test if you take it before 7 April 2014. They must be at least 16 years old. Your motorcycle trainer can be your interpreter.

You’ll need to arrange your own interpreter and pay any fees that they charge.

You won't be able to take a foreign language interpreter with you on your motorcycle test from 7 April 2014. You'll have to take the test in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.

Reading difficulties

You can write down your answer for the eyesight test if you have learning difficulties or you don’t speak English.

The independent riding section of the test

Your examiner will make reasonable adjustments for the independent riding part of your test if you have special needs. For example:

• following traffic signs
• following a set of directions supported by a diagram

More time

You might get more time for your test if you have certain special needs. This gives the examiner time to talk to you about your disability and any adaptations fitted to your vehicle.

Sometimes the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has to cancel or stop motorcycle practical tests because of bad weather, vehicle problems or other reasons.

Bad weather

Practical riding tests aren’t held in dangerous weather conditions, for example when the roads are icy or if there is flooding, high winds or thick fog.

Your test will be rearranged at no further cost if your test is cancelled because of bad weather.

When to call the test centre

Call the test centre on the day of your test if there’s snow or ice in your local area.

The call centre won't be able to tell you about your test if you call them the day before the test or too early on the day of the test in some cases.

If your test can’t go ahead

You’ll normally get a new appointment date in the post within 3 working days, unless the bad weather continues for longer.

As well as causing cancellations, bad weather can sometimes lead to longer waiting times for practical test appointments.

If your test is cancelled by DSA for other reasons

You might be able to apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if DSA cancels your test at short notice.

Problems with you or your vehicle

You’ll have to take another test at your own cost if you can’t take or complete your test because of a problem with:

• you, eg if you feel unwell while taking your test
• your motorcycle or moped, eg if it breaks down during the test or isn’t suitable for the test

You can be sent to prison for 'impersonating' someone (pretending to be them) and taking the practical test for them - or for getting someone to take a test for you.

Report someone offering to impersonate you for your test to Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

DSA integrity team
integrity.team@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0115 936 6051
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges