The Motorcycle Licence Practical Test
What to expect on your big day
The driving test itself is a fairly simple one, lasting about 40 minutes.
The aim of the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) is to produce
a test format that can be applied consistently throughout the
U.K. However it can not be exactly the same everywhere.
London traffic conditions cannot be reproduced in the heart
of Scotland, and while it's easy to be able to find a hill for
hill starts in Wales, this cannot be done in the Fens. So
Examiners have to take the areas as they find it, but the
same standards are applied nationally, with the content
of the test varying from area to area
When you book the practical test you will be sent an appointment card.
- Make a note of the date and time of your allotted test.
- Check the Test Centre and the type of test. If in any doubt consult your instructor.
- Check the cancellation date. Unless a cancellation is received on or before the cancellation date you will lose your fee if you do not attend the test.
On the day of the test, ensure you bring with you
- The appointment card
- Your signed provisional driving licence
- Your Theory test certificate
- Your valid CBT certificate
- Photo identity. DSA need to confirm your identity. Bring with you a form of photographic evidence that also bears your signature. The following are acceptable:-
Current signed passport (Doesn't have to be British)
Work I.D. card (must have photo and Signature)
Other valid driving licence
Trade union or students' union card (must have photo and Signature)
School bus pass (must have photo and Signature)
Cheque card or credit card (must have photo and Signature) If you don't have any of these you can bring a photo of yourself together with a statement that it's a true likeness of you. This should be signed by any of the following:- Approved Driving Instructor
CBT certified instructor
Member of Parliament
Medical practitioner
Local Councillor
Qualified teacher
Justice of the Peace
Civil servant
Police Officer
Bank official
Minister of religion
Barrister or Solicitor
Commissioned Officer in Her Majesty's Forces If you fail to produce and of these documents, the test will not take place and your fee will be lost
Arrive at the Test Centre in good time. The examiners can work to tight schedules, with up to seven tests to conduct each day. Lateness can mean that the test cannot be carried out and you will lose your fee.
Ensure that you are not under the effects of alcohol, if in doubt do not consume any for at least 24 hours beforehand.
At the time of your test, the Examiner will call your name and ask you to sign an Insurance declaration. This gives the Examiner a chance to check your signature against your provisional driving licence. The Examiner will then ask you for your Photo identity.
You may be asked whether you suffer from any physical disability that has not been declared on your application form. This is done to get an information update, since the form may have been filled in some months earlier.
Once the paperwork has been checked, the Examiner will ask you to lead the way to your motorcycle, and identify it to the Examiner. On the way to the parking area the Examiner will introduce himself and ask you what name you wish to be referred by during the test.
At the Parking area and the Examiner knows that he is not asking you to read your own number plate the Examiner will select a vehicle at random and ask you to read the number plate out to him. Get the number plate reading wrong twice, and the Examiner will measure out the statutory distance (20.5 metres or 67 feet, If a new style number plate is read the distance is 20 metres or 66 feet) using an official tape. Get the reading wrong now and you fail the whole test. You can, wear glasses when taking the eyesight test. If you do, then you must wear the same glasses throughout the rest of the test.
You will also have to answer two questions about the vehicle checks you would carry out before driving. These include such things as tyres, brakes, lights etc.
If you answer one or both of the questions incorrectly this counts as a single driving fault. More than a total of 15 driving faults for the whole test and you will fail.
The Examiner will check your motorcycle. He will take details of the make and model on his driving test report sheet. The Examiner will also ensure your bike is roadworthy. Make sure you don't have any minor faults like cracked light lenses etc, and the 'L' plates are properly displayed.
After the usual pre-test preliminaries e.g. licence and identification check the examiner will help the candidate with the fitting of the radio and earpiece. While accompanying the candidate to the machine the examiner will explain how the test will be conducted and how the radio equipment works.
The law requires anyone riding a motorcycle, scooter or moped, with or without sidecar, to wear protective headgear securely fastened. The test cannot therefore be conducted unless the candidate is wearing properly secured protective headgear. Note: An exemption to this requirement exists for followers of the Sikh religion if they are wearing a turban.
During the test specific manoeuvres must be carried which include:-
Emergency Stop exerciseAn emergency stop is given on every motorcycle test and can be given at any time during the test. The candidate will be told the route to take and the examiner will demonstrate the signal that will be given.
Wheeling / Stand exerciseThe candidate will be asked to position the machine alongside the kerb and put it on its stand, then take the machine off the stand and wheel it across the road in a `U' turn. (Either a centre or side stand is acceptable, but a machine without a stand is not suitable for the purposes of the test).
U-Turn exercise
Via the radio, the examiner will ask the candidate to ride the machine back across the road. The candidate will be asked to move off from a parked position and to turn the machine around to face the opposite way, within the road width.
Slow ride exercise
If the candidate has not had the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to control the machine at slow speed e.g. at junctions, they will be asked to ride as if in slow-moving traffic as a separate exercise.
After the practical part of the test the candidate will be asked a question on `balance when carrying a passenger'.
When the practical test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.
If you pass and have a photocard driving licence issued after 1 March, 2004 the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically. If you want to use this service, the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVLA will then send you your new full licence by post within three weeks of you passing your practical test.If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a licence issued before 1 March 2004, you will be given a pass certificate by the examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do next. This involves sending your licence and appropriate fee to DVLA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full licence.Once you pass your standard motorcycle test you are restricted to machines of 25 kW (33 bhp) with a power to weight ratio of 0.16 kW/kg for two years.
If you fail the test you should ask the examiner for some feedback to help prepare yourself for your next test. Your driving report form will also show you where you made any mistakes. You must wait 10 clear working days after your practical test before you can book another one.
Even if you haven't passed, you will have learnt a great deal. You can build on these skills in order to pass next time. Decide on what steps you can take to improve your technique and ask your instructor for advice.
Get a good night's sleep before the test. Make sure you eat a good breakfast. Even though you may be nervous and have lost your appetite eating breakfast is very important. Research has shown that your brain needs food to concentrate, so give yourself some food for thought! Ensure your motorcycle clothing helmet are comfortable. Have confidence in your ability. Arrive in plenty of time You should be present in the test centre at least ten minutes before the appointed time of your test. If you are late the test will be cancelled, and the fee will be forfeited. Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions, act on them in good time, and ask for them to be repeated if necessary.
And Good Luck from Scotti Knights. Remember to visit us for clothing and accessories in the future.
