The new practical motorcycle test is now in effect as of 27th April 2009 to comply with European legislation, which aims to improve the standard of road safety for motorcycle and moped riders. This user group have been identified as having a high risk of injury or death. This is particularly the case for young and inexperienced riders.

In October 2000, the European Commission brought in new standards for theoretical and practical driving tests conducted within the European Union (EU). This new legislation adds to this and is intended to ensure that motorcycle test candidates demonstrate that they are competent in the control of their machines at a more demanding level than is currently the case.

The new one test event will contain two elements. The Higher speed manoeuvres and other exercises will be tested on safe off-road sites and take about 8 minutes to complete. The accompanied riding element of the test will follow, consisting of a road ride include normal stops, hill and angle starts. Candidates who have exhibited riding skills of a dangerously incompetent level during the off-road part of the test will not be permitted to proceed to the on-road element.

The new test will be delivered from a network of sites provided either directly by DSA or via private developers. Many of the centres will be Multipurpose Test Centres (MPTC) providing both motorcycle and car testing facilities. Some will provide Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) and Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) testing facilities. Some low use sites will only provide motorcycle testing. New site for Plymouth is now complete, and is located in Ernesettle.

Module 1 must be passed first and consists of a series of specified manoeuvres that will be conducted off road. It will include exercises designed to assess the

rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises. Module 1 will last approximately 22 minutes.

Module 2 of the test  will consist of the eyesight test,road safety questions and at least 30 minutes of road riding. covering a variety of road and traffic conditions

and will also include normal stops, hill and angle starts.It is similar to the previous motorcycling test and is designed to assess the rider’s ability to safely interact

with other road users. Module 2 will last approximately 57 minutes – (includes at least 30 minutes of road riding).

The diagrams show the proposed layout of the manoeuvring area. At the discretion of the examiner, candidates will be asked to demonstrate their ability to ride a right circuit, and steer to the right on the avoidance exercise or a left circuit and steer to the left on the avoidance exercise.

The practical moped riding test is being developed. The higher speed manoeuvres for moped riders will be slower than for motorcycles. A test for the drivers of motorcycle and side car combination is also under development.

It was considered that it would not be safe to conduct the new higher speed and braking manoeuvres on public roads, which in very built up and busy test areas, would not be safe for the rider, other road users and the general public.

Undertaking a fair and consistent assessment for all candidates across Great Britain would be best achieved by using a pre-determined layout using ground markings and cones. It would be impractical to do that on a public road with other traffic present.

Due to the minimum speeds required and different handling and power characteristics of different machines, it has been necessary to calculate a minimum test area in which to conduct the new test.

"    comfortable waiting room with toilet facilities

"    easy access and toilet facilities for disabled candidates

"    good off road parking facilities for motorcycles and cars

"    separate "radio kit up" room for motorcycle candidates

"    an off road motorcycle manoeuvring area for the new test, finished with a high specification surface providing good grip in wet and dry weather and designed to be without hazards such as drainage gullies