What does a practical motorcycle test involve?

1) An eyesight test

2) You will be asked two machine safety check questions, and a question about carrying passengers.

3) A road ride with the examiner following you on another motorcycle. (You will be fitted with 2 way radio equipment, in order to hear the examiners instructions).

4) An emergency stop exercise.

5) Wheeling / stand exercise. You 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.

6) U-turn exercise. Moving off from a stopped position at the side of the road, and riding a u-turn to turn the bike around within the width of the road, under control.

7) Slow ride exercise. You will be asked to ride as if in slow-moving traffic as a separate exercise.

The new practical motorcycle test comes into force in October 2008. This will involve excercises carried out off road, including a slalom, high speed braking and obstacle avoidance. These will be carried out at new multi purpose test centres. After the off road part of the new bike test, an on road element will be carried out. Full details here : Direct.gov.uk