Helping L Riders : Motorcycling Test

The Practical Test

The practical test takes place on public roads and is designed to see if the candidate can ride safely and knows the Highway Code.

The candidate must present a valid certificate DL196 unless he or she is upgrading a full moped licence obtained by passing a 2-part test since December 1990.

The test begins with an eyesight test (if the candidate fails, the test will not continue). The candidate must also wear a securely fastened helmet.

During the Test, the candidate is examined on their general riding and on specific manoeuvres, including an emergency stop, a wheeling/Stand exercise, a U-Turn and a Slow ride exercise. The candidate will be asked question about `balance when carrying a passenger' and machine safety checks.

The examiner is looking for an overall safe standard of riding.

Booking A Motorcycle Test

When the instructor judges that the learner has enough experience, then she or he will recommend booking a test. Don't be tempted to book a test too soon; the learner needs to be able to perform consistently in a wide range of road and traffic situations.

You can find out how to book a test on the DSA website or the DVTA website in Northern Ireland.

After Passing The Motorcycle Test

Passing the motorcycle test is just the first step in a rider's career. There is much that you can do to help your new rider stay safe on the roads - visit the After The Test section to find out more.

It's very important for the newly qualified rider to continue to develop their skills and experience by taking further training, and by building up their riding experience on smaller machines before moving onto larger, more powerful ones.

New Drivers Act

The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act, which came into force on 1 June 1997, also applies to new motorcyclists. The licence of any motorcyclist is revoked automatically if they reach a total of six or more valid penalty points within two years of passing their test. This includes any vaild penalty points which may have been awarded before the test was passed. Penalty points are valid for three years.

Anyone with six or more valid penalty points on their provisional licence when they pass the test for the first time will be granted a full licence in the normal way but any points earned after that will trigger automatic revocation.

In order to legally drive again, the rider must reapply for a provisional licence, ride as a learner (and so only when displaying an L Plate) and pass both the theory and practical tests again.

Passing the test again does not remove the penalty points which remain on their new licence until their three year period expires. If the total of valid points reaches twelve, the rider risks disqualification.