Theory Test/Motorcycle Training
Hastings and Bexhill District Motorcycle Training
1. Booking your test
You need to have a provisional motorcycle licence to book your theory test.
There are 2 parts to the test:
· hazard perception - a video test about spotting hazards on the road
You book and take them as a single test. You have to pass both parts to pass the test.
When you can take the theory test
You can take the theory test from your:
· 16th birthday onwards if you’re learning to ride a moped (no more than 50cc)
· 17th birthday onwards if you’re learning to ride a motorcycle
You can take the theory test before or after you’ve taken compulsory basic training (CBT).
Who needs to take the theory test
You usually need to have passed a motorcycle theory test before you take the motorcycle test.
Find out which motorcycles you can ride and which tests you need to take.
You do not need to take the theory test if you passed a moped test after 1 July 1996 and want to either:
· take the motorcycle test on a category A1 small motorcycle
· upgrade your motorcycle licence under the ‘progressive access’ (also known as ‘staged access’) rules
If you have a car licence
You have to pass a motorcycle theory test before taking the motorcycle test.
If your licence is not from Great Britain
Find out if you can drive in Great Britain (GB) with your non-GB licence without taking a theory and driving test.
Change or check your test details
You can change the date of your theory test after you’ve booked it.
You can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.
Rebook your test
Rebook your theory test if you failed your test and want to resit it. You have to choose a date at least 3 working days away.
2. Theory test revision and practice
You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests.
Multiple-choice questions
The questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
· Riding - the essential skills
Study these to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.
You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.
Take a practice test
Take a practice theory test to check how much you’ve learnt.
The practice questions are not used in the real test, but they’re based on the same topics as the test.
Hazard perception part
Buy the official guide to hazard perception for your PC or Mac to learn hazard perception skills and then test them.
You can buy it from most high street and online book shops.
3. What to take to your test
You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.
If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and paper counterpart licence.
Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.
You can choose whether or not to wear a face covering at your test.
If you have a paper licence
Bring a valid passport as well as your paper licence.
If you do not have a passport, you need to get a photocard licence.
Personal belongings
You will not have access to your personal items in the test room. This includes things like:
· bags
· earphones
· mobile phones
· watches
You’ll usually have to store any personal items in a locker.
If your test centre does not have lockers, you must:
· turn off your phone before you enter the test centre
· put your belongings in a clear plastic box that will be given to you - this must be stored under your desk during the test
The test centre staff will check if you have anything with you that could be used to cheat. Your test will not go ahead if you do not let them check.
It’s illegal to cheat at the theory test. You can be sent to prison and banned from driving.
4. Multiple-choice questions
You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.
Before the test starts you’ll get:
· instructions on how the test works
· the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens
How the test works
A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.
Some questions are given as a case study. The case study will:
· show a short story that 5 questions will be based on
· be about a real life situation you could come across when driving
Leaving a question
You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.
Changing your answers
You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.
When you’ve finished
You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 57 minutes.
You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.
5. Hazard perception test
Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.
You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:
· feature everyday road scenes
· contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards
You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.
What a ‘developing hazard’ is
A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.
Example
A car is parked at the side of the road and is not doing anything. It would not cause you to take action, so it’s not a developing hazard.
When you get closer, the car’s right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You’d need to slow down, so it’s now a developing hazard.
How the scoring works
You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.
To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.
You do not lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.
You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.
6. Pass mark and test result
You get the result at the test centre after taking the theory test. You need to pass both parts to pass the test.
If you pass
You’ll get a letter with a pass certificate number at the test centre. You need this when you book and take your motorcycle test.
Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You need to pass both modules of the motorcycle test in that time, otherwise you’ll have to pass the theory test again.
If you fail
You’ll get a letter at the test centre. It’ll tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise.
You have to book and take the full test again, even if you passed one part this time.
You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test again.
7. If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition
When you book your theory test you should say if you have a:
· reading difficulty
· disability
· health condition
You have reading difficulties
You can ask to hear the test through headphones when you book your test. You can hear it in English or Welsh.
You can listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as you need to.
Other types of support
You can get other support during your theory test if you send proof that you have reading difficulties.
You will be told how to send proof when you book your theory test.
This can be an email, letter or report from:
· a teacher or other educational professional
· a doctor or medical professional
· an occupational therapist
· an online dyslexia screening product
You can get:
· extra time to take the test
· someone to read what’s on the screen and record your answers
· someone to reword the questions for you
If the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) agrees you need extra support, they will:
· select the best type of support for you when you book your theory test
· tell you what you need to do next
Extra time to take the test
You can ask for more time to do the multiple choice questions part of the theory test.
Reading what’s on the screen and recording your answers
A member of staff at the test centre can read out the instructions and questions on the screen.
They can also record your answers to the multiple-choice questions.
This can be done by either:
· listening to the member of staff through headphones while they’re in another room - they’ll be able to see what’s on your screen
· the member of staff sitting near you in the test room
Rewording the questions for you
You can ask for a member of staff to reword the theory test questions to make them easier for you to understand.
The person cannot change the technical language that you need to know. But they can change the order of the sentence and other non-technical words and phrases.
You still need to answer each question yourself.
You’re deaf or have a hearing impairment
You can take the theory test in British Sign Language (BSL) if you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment.
A BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.
Take a BSL interpreter
You can have a BSL interpreter with you during the test.
Tell DVSA you need this support when you book your theory test. You will not be charged an extra fee.
Hearing loop and lip speakers
You can arrange to:
· have a lip speaker with you during the test - you will not be charged an extra fee
· use a listening aid (hearing loop)
Tell DVSA you need this support when you book your theory test.
Other disabilities or health conditions
Contact DVSA to discuss any other disability or health condition before you book your test.