Motorcycle testing set for overhaul

Following a review of the current two-part motorcycle test, the Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, has published an interim report announcing plans to trial a new, single, on-road test.

The report is the result of work Department for Transport (DfT) has undertaken with motorcycle groups, training organisations and others since June 2010.

The test is currently carried out in two parts, one on-road and one off-road. But the interim report suggests a new hazard avoidance manoeuvre which – subject to further trialling - could be carried out on the road. There is also a proposal which will be given further consideration, that slow manoeuvres such as slalom, figure of eight, and U turn could be examined at training centres by delegated examiners ahead of the main test.

The next step will be to hold wider trials, with test-level candidates. This process will be followed by public consultation on the proposed changes.

DfT hopes, subject to further work on safety, cost and value for money, that there would be a phased introduction of on-road testing moving to general adoption of the new test by the end of 2011 or early 2012. This will include on-road testing in priority areas which are poorly served by the current network of off-road test centres.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

“My goal has always been a single, on-road test which is rigorous and refl ects real-life conditions. By working with the motorcycle training industry and others we have identified a set of changes which have the potential to deliver this.”

Read the interim report in full at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/cyclingandmotorcycling/testreview

The motorcycle test review started in June 2010.

The current motorcycle test was introduced in April 2009 and is taken in two parts.

Module 1 contains the specifi ed manoeuvres element of the test including exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises.

Module 2 includes an eyesight test and at least 30 minutes of on road riding.