Morse's Motorcycles // Weston-super-Mare // Tel: 01934 621187
Training - FAQ
Should I book the practical test myself?
No, we book the practical tests in advance, and the test courses are arranged to finish with the test on the last day, so when you book your course with us, the test is included in the course timetable and costs.
What does the practical motorcycle test involve?
The motorcycle test is now a 2 part (modules) test, carried out at seperate times. The module 1 test must be passed before you can sit the module 2 test.
The Module 1 test
The examiner will introduce himself and perform a licence and identification check, when you must produce your valid licence (both parts), theory test certificate and CBT certificate.
You will then be asked to go to your bike, and then to ride it onto the MMA (motorcycle manoeuvring area). The manoeuvring area is set up as 2 circuits, a left and right circuit. You can see a diagram of the circuits by clicking MMA Circuit Diagram please note the avoidance swerve is not anywhere as severe as shown on the diagram. The only way to properly prepare for this test is under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
You will then perform the following manoeuvres:
- Park your bike on it's stand.
- Manual handle the bike, pushing it into another parking bay.
- Ride a slalom and then 2 complete figures of eight.
- Ride a bend, avoid at speed and then controlled stop.
- Ride a U-Turn.
- A slow (walking) pace ride.
- An emergency stop.
The avoidance manoeuvre and emergency stop must both be carried out at least 50 Kph (aprox 32 mph). If you fail to reach the speed on either of these, but have otherwise carried it out satisfactorily, you will get one more attempt at it. Failure to reach the required speed twice is an automatic failure. The test lasts about 10 - 15 minutes, and upon successful completion you will be given a Module 1 Pass Certificate.
The Module 2 test
The examiner will introduce himself and perform a licence and identification check, then help the candidate with the fitting of the radio and earpiece.
While accompanying the candidate to the machine there will be an eyesight check.
The candidate will be asked 2 machine safety check questions, and a question on carrying a passenger, then the examiner will explain how the test will be conducted and how the radio equipment works.
The examiner will then ask the candidate to get ready while he goes to his own vehicle, which may be a car or motorcycle. He will do a radio test, and then ask you to move away, while he will follow.
During the test specific manoeuvres may be carried which include:
- A Hill Start.
- An angled start, where you you be stopped close to an obstruction, such as a parked car, and asked to proceed going safely around the obstruction.
- Pulling into the side of the road, and rejoining traffic
The test will have lasted about 45 minutes, of which 35 - 40 will have been on the road. If you pass and have a photocard licence, the examiner will ask if you want him to send your licence away. Most people are happy with that, and the new licence should arrive within a couple of weeks. If you have the old style licence, you will be given it back, with the pass certificate, and the forms for applying for the new licence.
What questions might the examiner ask me about safety checks?
At the start of the test, before proceeding on the road ride, you will be asked 2 machine safety check questions. You will usually be asked one 'tell me' question, and one 'show me' question.
Tell me questions. These you just explain.
Show me questions. You actually carry out the check
What Questions may I be asked about carrying passengers?
The Examiner will ask one of the following questions at the end of the test.
Advice you would give a pillion passenger?
- Make sure they are wearing the correct clothing including an approved safety helmet
- Make sure they sit on the bike astride, facing forwards with their feet on the foot pegs at all times.
- Tell them were to hold. Either to the rider or the grab rail.
- Don't fidget or keep moving about.
- Lean with me (the rider) into the corners.
- Don't do any arm signals.
- Don't distract me.
What changes would you make to the bike if you were taking a pillion passenger?
- Increase the tyre pressures according to the manufacturer's advice (owner's manual).
- Adjust the suspension according to the manufacturer's advice (owner's manual).
- Fold the foot pegs down.
- Adjust the headlights according to the manufacturer's advice (owner's manual).
- Adjust the mirrors up, as the back will squat down.
How is the extra weight on the back going to affect the handling?
- Acceleration is going to be affected.
- On more powerful bike the front could go very light.
- Deceleration is affected.
- Stopping distances are going to increase.
- Cornering is going to be affected.
- Centre of gravity is higher therefore it is wise to go into corners slower.
- Front wheel is going to be lighter. Therefore it will feel a little bit vague.
How do I book the theory test?
The theory test costs £32, and is done at special offices around the country. The nearest centres to Weston are at Bristol or Taunton. Booking your theory test. The easiest way is online. Tests can also be booked by phone, on 0300 200 1122, or by mail
Booking online
Go to DSA Online Booking page - To book a theory test online you will need:
- a valid UK driving licence
- a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)
Booking by phone
To book a theory test with an operator over the phone you will need:
- a valid UK driving licence
- a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)
You can book a theory test over the phone on 0300 200 1122, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday except on Bank Holidays.
Booking by post
To book a theory test by post you will need an application form. Application forms are available online, on request from the Driving Standards Agency booking line or from theory and practical test centres. Payment can be made by cheque or postal order, but cash payments are not accepted.
Can you explain what happens at the theory test?
The theory test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and mouse and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.
You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. If you pass one part and fail the other you will fail the whole test, and you will need to take both parts again.
The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you are hoping to obtain a licence for, ie a motorcycle theory test will contain some specific questions that do not appear in any other test.
For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, so if you recently took the test for another category you know what to expect.
Part one - multiple choice
Before the test starts you will be given instructions on how the test works.
You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.
A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen or using the mouse. Some questions may require more than one answer.
You will be asked 50 questions. You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test.
The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 43 out of 50.
After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.
Part two - hazard perception
After the break you will then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.
The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.
To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.
You will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.
The pass mark for the motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.
At the end of the test
At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you will be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.
You do not have to answer the questions if you do not want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions do not affect the result of the test.
When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you will not be allowed to enter it again. You will then be given your result by the test centre staff.
