Practical Test

Before you can take your practical motorcycle test you need to have successfully completed Compulsory Basic Training ( CBT ) and to have passed your theory test.

To apply for your practical motorcycle test you will fill out an application form, DL26, which is available from any DSA Area Office or any driving test centre.

Send the completed form and the fee to your local DSA Area Office. If you don't know where that is you can find out from the DSA Head Office on 0115 901 2595.

Within 2 weeks you should receive your appointment card which will tell you the date and time of your test and the address of the test centre.

When you go you must take
* Your licence
* Photographic evidence of your identity
* Your CBT certificate ( DL196 )

You'll also have to sign a declaration that your motorcycle is insured.

The first thing you'll have to do is take an eyesight test. This involves reading a number plate in good daylight at a distance of about 67 feet ( 20.5 metres ). If you can't the examiner will measure the exact distance and repeat the test. If you still fail then the test won't continue.

You will then be asked two motorcycle safety check questions, one ‘show me’ and one ‘tell me’. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

Then you will be fitted with a radio receiver on a belt and an earpiece designed to be worn under your helmet.

When you're taking the test the examiner will follow you either on a motorcycle or in a car.

You will be given directions clearly and in good time and you will be asked to carry out set exercises.

You will pass if you show that you can

* Ride safely
* Comply with correct road procedure
* Obey traffic signs
* Carry out the set exercises correctly

Your examiner will watch you and will be looking to see if you

* Make appropriate progress along the road
* Keep up with the traffic while keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front
* Show confidence and good judgement
* Choose the correct speed for the type of road, density of traffic and weather
* React correctly to road signs and speed limits
* Be aware and react correctly to what other road users are doing, including pedestrians, cyclists and animals

You should not be over-cautious. For example, you must not ride too slowly as you could be holding up other traffic and you must not stop and wait when it's safe and normal to proceed.

SPECIAL EXERCISES

Emergency stop

The examiner will tell you the signal he will use and then ask you to ride around a short circuit. As soon as you see the signal you must

* Apply the front brake just before the rear
* Apply both brakes effectively
* Stop the machine as quickly as possible without locking either wheel

Walking with your machine

Your examiner will ask you to put your machine on its stand. He will then ask you to take it off its stand and walk with it with the engine off.

U-turn

You will be asked to perform a U-turn and stop on the other side of the road. Rear observation into the blind area is vital just before you carry out the manoeuvre.

Angle start

You will be asked to stop just behind a parked vehicle. You will then be asked to move off again. Before you do, make it obvious that you look behind you AND in front to see there's no danger from approaching traffic.

Slow riding

The examiner will ask you to ride at walking speed for a short distance. He will be checking for your control, balance and observation.

Hill start

You may be asked to stop on an uphill gradient and then move off again. The examiner will want to see a smoothly accelerating hill start.

There is no particular order in which these exercises are carried out - that's up to the examiner.
At the end of the test the examiner will ask you a question about carrying a pillion passenger.

Reasons for failing

You will only fail if you have accumulated more than 15 minor faults or made one serious error.

Some examples of serious errors are

* Dangerous or illegal manoeuvres or actions such as turning right or changing lanes without looking over your shoulder
* Failure to obey traffic signs such as No Entry signs, speed limits, or traffic lights
* Failure to cancel an indicator leading to a potentially dangerous situation
* Failure to observe lane markings
* Riding too slowly where it was safe to ride more quickly
* Poor machine control on the U turn or Emergency Stop
* Pulling out in front of another vehicle at a junction

The whole test will last about 35 minutes and you will be told at the end of it if you have passed or failed.