About the practical tests
This is in two Modules
Mod 1 Off Road
This will be conducted at the Driving Standards Agency test centre at Burgess Hill and consists of :Manual handling
Slow speed manoeuvring and riding
A U turn
High speed cornering and a controlled stop (between 20 and 30 mph
High speed emergency stop (minimum of 30 mph)
High speed avoidance (minimum of 30 mph)
Mod 2 On Road
You will pass the test if you can
 ride safely
 demonstrate through your riding you have a thorough knowledge of the Highway code
The test will last about 40 minutes
The test will include
 an eyesight test (read a number plate at 20.5 metres)
 two question on carrying out simple safety checks on your bike
 A question on carrying pillions on your bike
As with your tuition the examiner will give you clear directional instructions in good time over a one way
radio—always continue ahead until told otherwise. This instruction can be individual, in a block of 3 or 4 or to
follow a location by signage i.e. take the London Road A23.
The examiner assesses you on the errors you make and you will fail if you commit any serious or dangerous
fault. You are allowed to make 5 driving errors on the Mod 1 test and 10 on the Mod 2 test
Driving errors—a less serious fault
Serious fault—a potentially dangerous incident occurred or a habitual driving fault indicating a serious
weakness in your ride
Dangerous fault—causing actual danger during your test
What to bring
 your driving licence—both parts of the new photo card type and are a matched pair. Please check that your
photo is up to date if not is still a true likeness and or bring a valid passport
 A valid passport if you have the older style of licence, which must be signed
 theory test certificate
 CBT certificate
 The module 1 certificate for the module 2 test
What the Module 2 test requires
 alertness and concentration
 courtesy and consideration
 care in the use of the controls
 awareness of stopping distances and safety margins in all conditions
 hazard awareness
 correct action concerning pedestrians and other vulnerable road users
 dealing with other vehicles correctly
 rules regarding speed limits and stopping restrictions
 the law regarding you and your vehicle
Safety Questions
Identify where you would check the engine oil level and
tell me how you would check that the engine has
sufficient oil.
Identify where to check level, i.e. dipstick or sight
glass. Explain that level should be between max
and min marks. For dipstick remove dipstick and
wipe clean, return and remove again to check oil
level against max/min marks. For sight glass,
ensure glass is clean when checking.
Show me how you would check that the horn is
working on this machine (off road only).
Check is carried out by using control (turn on ignition if necessary).
Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me
how you would check that you have a safe level of
hydraulic fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high/low
markings.
Tell me how you would check that the lights and
reflectors are clean and working
Explanation only: Operate switch (turn on ignition if
necessary), identify reflectors. Check visually for
cleanliness and operation.
Show me how you would check that the brake lights
are working.
Operate brake, place hand over light or make use
of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask
someone to help.
Tell me how you would check the condition of the
chain on this machine.
Check for chain wear, correct tension and rear
wheel alignment. Tension should be adjusted as
specified in the machine handbook. Drive chain
should be lubricated to ensure that excessive wear
does not take place.
Show me what checks you would make on the steering
movement before using the machine.
Handlebars should be free to move smoothly from
full left lock to full right lock without any control
cables being stretched, trapped or pinched and
without any snagging between moving and fixed
parts.
Tell me how you would check your tyres to ensure that
they are correctly inflated, have sufficient tread depth
and that their general condition is safe to use on the
road.
Correct tyre pressure settings can be found in the
owner’s manual. Pressures should be checked
using a reliable gauge. Tread depth must be at
least 1mm deep, forming a continuous band at
least ¾ of the breadth of the tread and all the way
around. There should be no lumps, bulges or tears.
Show me how you would check the operation of the
front brake on this machine.
Wheel the machine forward and apply the front
brake.
Show me how you would check the operation of the
brakes on this machine.
Check for excessive travel on the brake lever and
the brake pedal and for unusual play or
sponginess.
Show me how you would check the operation of the
engine cut out switch.
Operate switch, without the engine being
started.
Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light
and explain when you would use it (if fitted).
Operate switch (turn on ignition and dipped
headlights if necessary). Check warning light is on.
Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped
to main beam.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if
necessary), check with main beam warning light.
Carrying a pillion passenger
You will be normally asked one of four questions
What to adjust on the bike to compensate for the extra weight
 tyre pressures
 suspension setting
 mirrors
 head light
What should you tell a novice pillion
 must wear an approve safety helmet correctly fastened
 should wear appropriate safety clothing
 to get on the motorcycle after the rider from the curb side, sitting astride, on the pillion seat , feet on the foot
rests and hold on to the grab rail or loosely around the waist of the rider
 not to make any hand signals
 to lean with the rider for bends
 to look ahead so as to anticipate the actions of the rider, bracing for acceleration or braking
 they don't have to support the weight of the rider when you come to a rest
 only get of fwhen told to do so
How does a pillion passenger affect the balance
 due to the centre of gravity being higher and moved backward the motorcycle will be less stable especially at
slow speed when manoeuvring
What changes does the rider have to make due to the weight of the pillion passenger
You should
 brake earlier due to the extra weight and leave more distance between you and the vehicle ahead
 leave more time to pull away from stationary and to increase speed
What the examiner is looking for in the practical riding, in conjunction with the advice
given in the Highway Code
The motorcycle controls
Throttle and clutch
 balance the throttle and clutch to pull away smoothly
 accelerate gradually to gain speed
 pull the clutch in before stopping
Faults to avoid
 accelerating fiercely
 using the clutch in a jerky and uncontrolled manner
Brakes and gear
 use both brakes correctly and in good time
 brake lightly in most situations
 choose the right gear for your speed and road condition
 change gear in good time so that you are ready for a hazard or junction
Faults to avoid
 brake harshly, except in an emergency
 use either the front or rear brake alone (excludes rear brake to ride slowly)
 select the wrong gear
 coast with the clutch pulled in or the gear lever in neutral (excludes block changing of gears)
Steering
 keep both hands on the handlebars
 keep your steering movements steady and smooth
 begin turning at the correct time when turning a corner
 show awareness of the road surface
Faults to avoid
 cutting the corner when turning
 swing wide on turns
 braking and steering together
 move out before turning left
Moving Off
You should be able to move off
 safely
 under control
 on the flat
 from behind a parked car
 on a hill
You will be examined on The use of the controls making balanced use of
 throttle
 clutch
 brakes
 steering
Observation of other road users by
 using your mirrors and checking over you shoulder for any blind spots for traffic and pedestrians
 signalling if necessary
Faults to avoid
 immediately signalling without first taking an observation
 pulling out without looking
 causing other road users to stop or alter their course
 accelerate excessively
 move off in too high a gear
 fail to coordinate the controls correctly and stall the engine
Rear Observation
You will be required to take an effective rear observation by mirror or looking over your shoulder (life saver)
 before manoeuvre
 to keep aware of what is happening behind you and act sensibly on what you see
Check carefully before
 moving off
 signalling
 changing direction
 turning left or right
 overtaking or changing lane
 increasing speed
 slowing down or stopping
Faults to avoid
 manoeuvre without taking a rear observation
 Fail to act on what you see behind
Giving Signals
You should signal using only the signals shown in the highway code
 to let others know what you intend to do so that they can react safely
 to help others road users including pedestrians
 in plenty of time
Faults to avoid
 give signals carelessly
 mislead other road users
 forget to cancel the signal
 wave at pedestrians to cross the road
Acting on Signs and Signals
You should be able to understand and react to
 all traffic signs
 all road markings
You will be asked to follow the road ahead, being given plenty of warning to make a turn, looking out for lane
markings and directional signs
Taking extra care and obeying
 police officers
 traffic wardens
 school crossing patrols
 20 mph speed limit zones
 speed restriction humps and other traffic calming measures
Controlling you speed
You should make good progress along the road obtaining the national speed limits if possible bearing mind
 road conditions
 traffic
 weather
 road signs and speed limits
You should
 take great care in the use of speed
 make sure you can stop well within the distance you can see
 leave a safe distance between you and other vehicles
 leave extra distance on wet or slippery roads
 approach junctions and hazards at the correct speed
Faults to avoid
 ride too fast for the road and traffic conditions
 change your speed unpredictably
Making Progress
You should
 make reasonable progress alone the road
 drive at a speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions
 move off at junctions as soon as it's safe
 keep up with the traffic
 show confidence, together with good judgement
 comply with the speed limits
Faults to avoid
 driving too slowly, holding up other traffic
 be over-cautious or stop and wait when it’s safe to go
 prepare too early for junctions by approaching too slowly and holding up traffic
The Emergency Stop
In a emergency you should be able to stop the motorcycle
 as quickly as possible
 safely and under control
 without locking the wheels
 without risk to other road users
Your examiner will
 ask you to pull in at the side of the road
 explain the procedure and demonstrate the signal to you
You should
 react quickly
 try to stop in a straight line
 take special care if it is wet
 pull to the side of the road after stopping, with observations over both shoulders
The examiner will check that the road is clear behind before signalling
Faults to avoid
 anticipate the signal by slowing
 skid out of control
 pull up slowly
Special exercises
Walking the machine
 your examiner will ask you to put the machine on its stand . You will the be asked to take the machine off the
stand and walk with it, normally in a U-turn, but with out the aid of the engine.
Riding U-turn
 your examiner will ask you to ride a U-turn. Direct rear observation in to the blind area is vital just before you
carry out this manoeuvre.
Faults to avoid
 putting a foot down
 using excessive throttle
 hitting the curb or running up a drive way
 looking down at the front of the bike
Angle start
Your examiner will ask you to pull up just before a parked vehicle . Before moving off you should
 check to the rear and into the blind areas
 ahead to see there is no danger from approaching traffic
If a angled start occurs normally during the test, you will not be asked to do it again
Slow ride
You will be asked to ride at a walking speed for a short distance, to test your control, balance and observation. If
you have already ridded slowly such as in traffic you will not be asked to carry out this exercise
Hill start
Your examiner might ask you to pull up on an uphill gradient.
When pulling in to stop at the side of the road to complete any of the special exercises, stop only where safe
,avoiding
 bus stops
 driveways
 parking restrictions
 within 30ft of a junction
 near a bend
Hazards
The correct routine
A hazard is any situation which could involve adjusting or altering course.
 road junctions and roundabouts
 parked vehicles
 cyclists or horse riders
 pedestrian crossing
Look well ahead, identifying a hazard early so you will have time to take appropriate action. Always use your
initiative and common sense
Always use this routine when approaching a hazard
 Observation—check behind using mirrors or looking over you shoulder
 Signal—if necessary signal that you are changing speed or direction in plenty of time
 Manoeuvre—has three phases
 Position
 Speed
 Look
Road junctions and roundabout
You should
 use the OSM routine when you approach a junction or roundabout
 position the motorcycle correctly, adjust your speed and stop if necessary
 use the correct lane if the road has lane markings. In a one way street choose the lane as soon as you can
When turning left keep to the left watching out for
 cyclists
 pedestrians crossing
Check the blind spot if required
When turning right
 keep to the centre of the road if safe to do so
 make a ‘lifesaver’ check over your shoulder before turning from a major to minor road
You should be able to
 observe road signs and markings and act correctly on what you see
 judge the correct speed on approach
 slow down in good time without harsh braking
 judge the speed of other traffic, especially at roundabouts and when joining a major road
 position and turn correctly
Faults to avoid
 approach the junction at the wrong speed
 position and turn incorrectly
 enter a junction unsafely
 stop or wait unnecessarily
Unless signs or road marking dictate otherwise
 the first exit is a left turn
 the last exit is a right turn
 the interm exit would be ahead (do not signal on approach)
 with more than one intermediate exit ,ahead would normally the continuation of the entry
road or any road around the 12 o'clock position would be ahead. Roads well past 12
would normally be right. Please use local or instructed knowledge
 you may go ahead from the right lane if the left lane is blocked or unavailable to you or
more normally used by other trafic
 treat mini roundabouts in the same way, but when turning right without signalling left on
exit
 always use common sense and initiative
Overtaking
When overtaking you must
 observe any signs and road markings which prohibit overtaking
 allow enough room
 give cyclists and horses at least as much room as cars. They might swerve or wobble suddenly
 allow enough space for overtaking—don’t cut in
 use the OSM/PSL routine
 react to road and traffic conditions
 judge the speed and position of vehicles behind and in front
 overtake only when safe without causing other vehicles to change speed or direction
Faults to avoid
You should not overtake when
 your view of the road ahead isn’t clear
 you would have to exceed the speed limit
 there is oncoming traffic and you are squeezing between the oncoming traffic and the vehicle you are
overtaking
Meeting and passing vehicles
You should deal with oncoming traffic safely and confidently on
 narrow road
 where there are parked cars or other obstructions
If there is an obstruction on your side of the road, or not enough space for two vehicles to pass safely, you
should
 use OSM/PSL
 be prepared to give way to oncoming traffic
If you need to stop, keep well back from the obstruction to give yourself
 a better view of the road ahead
 room to move off easily when the road is clear
You should
 show judgement and control when meeting oncoming traffic
 be decisive when stopping and moving off
 allow enough room when passing parked cars
Watch out for
 doors opening
 children running out into the road
 pedestrians stepping out from the pavement
 vehicles pulling out without warning
Crossing the path of other vehicles
You should be able to cross the path of other traffic safely and with confidence
You normally need to cross the path of other traffic when you have to turn right into a side road or driveway.
You should
 use the OSM/PSL routine
 position correctly and adjust your speed
 watch out for oncoming traffic and stop if necessary
 watch for pedestrians crossing the side road or on the pavement if entering a driveway and stop if required
Faults to avoid
 cause another vehicle to slow down, swerve or stop
 cut the corner
 go beyond the correct turning point before beginning to turn
Following behind at a safe distance
You should always ride so that you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear
Always keep a two second time gap between you and the vehicle ahead. Four seconds in the wet.
In slow moving traffic it is not always possible to leave so much space
Take extra care and consider changing road position when following high sided and large vehicles
Watch out for
 brake lights ahead
 direction indicators
 vehicles ahead braking without warning
Faults to avoid
You shouldn’t
 follow too closely
 brake suddenly
 stop too close to the vehicle in front in a traffic queue
Position and lane discipline
You should
 normally keep to the middle of your lane or side of the road
 keep clear of parked vehicles
 avoid weaving in and out of parked vehicles
 position your vehicle correctly for the direction you intend to take
 obey bus and cycle lanes which should not be entered unless it is unavoidable
 obey lane marking in one way streets and left or right turn arrows at junctions
 select the correct lane in good time
 use the OSM/PSL routine
 position you vehicle sensibly, even if there are no road markings
Faults to avoid
You shouldn’t
 ride too close to the kerb
 ride too close to the centre of the road
 change lanes at the last moment without good reason
 hinder other road users by being badly positioned or being in the wrong lane
 cut across the path of other traffic in another lane at a roundabout
Pedestrian Crossing
You should
 recognise the different types of pedestrian crossing
 show courtesy and consideration towards pedestrians
 stop safely when necessary
 approach a pedestrian crossing at a controlled speed
 move off when it’s safe, keeping a good lookout
At Zebra crossing you should
 slow down and stop if some one is on the crossing
 slow down and be prepared to stop if there is anyone waiting to cross
 wait till all pedestrians have cleared the crossing before moving off
At pelican, puffin and toucan crossings
 stop if the lights are on red
 give way to any pedestrians on a pelican crossing when the amber light is flashing
 give way to cyclists on a toucan crossing, as you would a pedestrians
Faults to avoid
Don’t
 approach too fast
 ride over a crossing without stopping or showing awareness of waiting pedestrians
 block a crossing by stopping directly on it
 overtake within the zigzag white lines leading up to a crossing
 wave pedestrians across
Don’t hurry pedestrians by
 sounding you horn
 revving your engine
 edging forward
Awareness and Planning
You should be aware of other road user at all times and always plan ahead
You should
 judge what other road users are likely to do
 predict how their actions will affect you
 react safely and in good time
 give way to pedestrians when turning from one road to another
 take particular care with the very young, the disabled and the elderly
 take special care of cyclists when crossing a bus or cycle lane, with cyclists passing on your left and child
cyclists
 take special care with animals and give them as much room as possible
Faults to avoid
You shouldn’t
 react suddenly to road or traffic conditions
 show irritation with other road users
 sound the horn aggressively