THE PRACTICAL MOTORCYCLE TESTS - WHAT'S INVOLVED

MODULE ONE

 The practical motorcycle test will be completed in two modules. The specified manoeuvres conducted at specific speeds will be tested in Module 1 on safe off-road sites and take on average 22 minutes. These specified manoeuvres are:

• At least two manoeuvres carried out at slow speed, including a slalom.

• At least two manoeuvres carried out at higher speed, of which one exercise should be in second or third gear, at a speed of at least 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph) and one exercise avoiding an obstacle at a minimum speed of 50 km/h (approx. 32 mph)

• At least two braking manoeuvres, including an emergency brake at a minimum speed of 50 km/h (approx. 32 mph) 
  

On the day of the Module 1 test, candidates will be asked by the examiner to demonstrate their riding ability on either the left-hand or right-hand circuit.

Those candidates who have passed Module 1 will receive a Test Pass Certificate which they must bring with them when they take Module 2.

MODULE TWO

Module 2 of the test will be about 57 minutes in length and will consist of:

At the beginning of the test the examiner will check your eyesight (you must be able to see a number plate at 20.5 metres, this will have been checked already on your CBT).

Road safety questions: The examiner will ask you a couple of questions about maintainence on your motorcycle, one of these will be a "show me" the other a "tell me" question. These questions are also on the DSA website for you to check out. The candidate will also be asked a question on 'balance when carrying a passenger'. These questions (and answers!) will be given to you to look at during your course and we will go over them all with you before your test.

On Road Ride: Then there will be at least 30 minutes of road riding, consisting of a road ride covering a variety of road and traffic conditions and will also include normal stops, hill and angle starts. During this test the examiner will ask you to ride following directions given over the radio. At all times follow the road ahead unless you are given a direction or turning to take. The directions are always clear and given in plenty of time - you will be used to this form of instruction as it is how we will teach you during your course.  For 10 minutes of the mod 2 you will have to do the Independent ride.

The independent ride is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills
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.
It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced riders.
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.
If you go off the independent riding route it won't affect the result of your test unless you commit a riding fault.
If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route. You can then continue with the independent riding.  If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign. You won't need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.