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Booking and going for your riding tests

You can book both modules at the same time. However, you must pass module one before you take module two.

If you don't pass module one, you must wait three full working days before you can retake it.

What to do if you want to cancel module two

You must give the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) three full working days' notice if you want to cancel your module two test. If you don't, you will lose your module two test fee. You should leave a long enough time between the two modules to avoid losing the module two fee.

If you don't pass module two, you must wait ten full working days before being able to retake it.

To find out how to book and manage your appointments and where you can take both modules of the test, click on the link below.

• How to book and manage your practical driving test appointment

Reporting for both modules of your riding test

You need to bring certain documents with you and a suitable moped or motorcycle. You can find out more about what you need to bring by clicking on the links below.

• Reporting for your practical test

• Rules for mopeds and motorcycles used for riding tests

Wear the right clothing for your test

Talk to your trainer about choosing the best clothing you can afford. It's important to always wear the right clothing:

• during training
• when taking your tests
• after you pass your test

If you arrive for your test and are not wearing the right clothing:

• your test might not take place
• you might lose your fee

• Safety helmets and protective clothing for motorcyclists

• Buy 'The official DSA guide to riding' online Opens new window

Module one: off-road manoeuvres

Watch a video about the motorcycle test

• Motorcycle test video Opens new window

Module one is the off-road module. It generally takes around 20 minutes to complete.

What happens during module one

Module one includes the following manoeuvres:

• wheeling the moped or motorcycle and using the stand
• doing a slalom and figure of eight
• a slow ride
• U-turn
• cornering and controlled stop
• cornering and the emergency stop
• cornering and hazard avoidance

There is a minimum speed requirement of around 32 miles per hour (50 kilometres per hour) for the hazard avoidance and emergency stop exercises. There is no minimum speed requirement for the first cornering and controlled stop exercise.

Motorcycle manoeuvring area

Module one takes place in a safe off-road area called a motorcycle manoeuvring area. The layout of the area will vary depending on where you take your test. You can download diagrams that show the different layouts from the links below.

• Download 'Motorcycle manoeuvring - DSA multi-purpose test centre' (PDF, 622K) Opens new window

• Download 'Motorcycle manoeuvring - avoidance to left' (PDF, 104K) Opens new window

• Download 'Motorcycle manoeuvring - avoidance to right' (PDF, 114K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

At the end of module one

At the end of module one, the examiner will give you the result and feedback. If you pass, you'll get your module one pass certificate.

Module two: on-road riding

Module two is the on-road module and typically takes around 40 minutes.

You must bring your module one pass certificate to module two, along with all the documents you had to bring to the module one test.

• Reporting for your practical test

• Rules for mopeds and motorcycles used for riding tests

What happens during module two

This module includes the:

• eyesight test
• safety and balance questions
• road riding element
• independent riding section

The eyesight test

The examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a parked vehicle to test your eyesight. If you fail the test, your riding test won't continue.

• Driving eyesight requirements

Vehicle safety and balance questions

You can download a list of all the safety and balance questions you could be asked by the examiner by clicking on the link below.

• Download 'Vehicle safety questions for motorcycle tests' (PDF, 15K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Road riding element

You'll ride in a variety of road and traffic conditions. You'll be asked to carry out:

• normal stops
• an angle start (pulling out from behind a parked vehicle)
• a hill start (where possible)

The examiner will give you directions using a radio. They will normally follow you on a motorcycle.

Independent riding section of the riding test

Your riding test will include around ten minutes of independent riding. This is designed to assess your ability to ride safely while making decisions independently.

• Independent driving and riding section of the practical test

At the end of module two

At the end of module two, the examiner will give you the result and feedback. If you pass, the examiner will explain to you how to change your provisional licence into a full licence.

Your riding test result

At the end of each module the examiner will tell you whether or not you have passed.

The different types of faults that can be marked

There are three types of faults that can be marked:

• a dangerous fault - involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
• a serious fault - could potentially be dangerous
• a rider fault - not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault throughout your test it could become a serious fault

The pass mark for module one

You can make up to five rider faults and still pass module one. If you make six or more rider faults, you won't pass the module.

If you make one serious or dangerous fault, you won't pass module one.

The pass mark for module two

You can make up to ten rider faults and still pass module two. If you make 11 or more rider faults, you won't pass the module.

If you make one serious or dangerous fault, you won't pass module two.

When riding tests are cancelled or stopped

Sometimes DSA has to cancel or stop riding tests because of things like bad weather or vehicle problems. Find out what happens if your test is cancelled or stopped, and what you need to do when there's bad weather.

• Driving tests: cancelled or stopped tests and bad weather

More useful links

• Apply for your full motorcycle licence

• Subscribe to Driving Standards Agency email alerts