COULD YOU PASS YOUR TEST TODAY?

There was a time when getting on the road with a motorcycle involved little more than pointing at a bike and saying ‘I want to ride that one’. These days it’s a tricky business… Could you do it (again)?

On the face of it, the process new riders have to go through to get their hands on a full motorcycle licence is fairly tricky. It can work out expensive and time-consuming. Unlike the tests of yesteryear, there’s now a range of different hoops to jump through before you can ride a motorcycle out on the road – and we want to explain just what’s involved to show it doesn’t have to be as painful as many people might think.

STEP 1: CBT

The first step in the current system is to complete your Compulsory Basic Training. Don’t think of it as a test – because it’s not. The CBT course is simply designed to introduce new riders to five 'elements' that’ll help make their riding safer and more enjoyable. You can either choose to do the CBT course as a 'standalone' activity or treat it as a precursor to a longer, more intensive Direct Access Course. Easy enough.

STEP 2: MOTORCYCLE THEORY TEST

There are two parts to a motorcycle theory test: a straightforward (multiple choice) question and answer section, and a hazard perception test. The questions are mostly common sense, and there’s a decent amount you can do beforehand to prepare, including brushing up on your Highway Code.

STEP 3: MODULE ONE

The next step to get your hands on your journey to getting a full motorcycle licence is Module One.

The Module One motorcycle test is simply an exercise in bike control. The examiner will instruct you to complete a number of slow and high-speed manoeuvres around a selection of cones (in a closed, offroad environment).

The Module One test is made up of nine individual elements and typically takes around 20 minutes. Here’s a breakdown; Wheeling the motorcycle Using the stand

Riding a slalom

Riding a figure of eight

A slow ride

A U-turn

Cornering and a controlled stop Cornering and an emergency stop Cornering and hazard avoidance.

STEP 4: MODULE TWO

During your Module Two test you’ll be judged on your ability to ride safely on the road, in accordance with the Highway Code, and it’ll take around an hour to complete. The test is broken down into four separate segments, which are: An eyesight check

‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions

Road riding Independent riding. Throughout the duration of the test, you’ll be asked to carry out normal stops, an angle start (pulling out from behind a parked vehicle) and a hill start (where possible). You’ll also have to undertake about 10 minutes of independent riding, which is designed to assess your ability to ride safely while making your own decisions.