The Bike Test (post-Mar 08)

The new practical motorcycle test is being introduced in March 2009 to comply with European legislation, which aims to improve the standard of road safety for motorcycle and moped riders.

The new one test event will contain two elements. The Higher speed manoeures and other exercises will be tested on safe off-road sites and take about 8 minutes to complete. The accompanied riding element of the test will follow, consisting of a road ride including normal stops, hill and angle starts. Candidates who have exhibited riding skills of a dangerously incompetent level during the off-road part of the test will not be permitted to proceed to the on-road element.

The new test will be delivered from a network of sites provided either directly by the DSA or via private developers. Many of the centres will be Multipurpose test Centres (MPTC) providing both motorcycle and car testing facilities. Some low use sites will only provide motorcycle testing.