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Theory Information - What Does The Motorcycle Theory Test Involve?

We look into what happens on the day of your motorcycle theroy test.

phot. Mercedes-Benz ©

Do you need to take a driving theory test?

If you are a learner driver you must take and pass your theory test before you book your practical test. If you already have a driving licence you might not have to take another theory test if you want to start driving a different vehicle.

UK motorcycle licence holders

You will need to take a theory test if you want a licence for a new category of vehicle, for example, if you have a car licence and you want a motorcycle licence you will need to take a theory test.

If, however, you want to upgrade within a vehicle category you will not normally need to take a theory test, for example, if you have a full automatic car licence and you want a manual car licence you will not have to take a theory test. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct licence for the vehicle you are driving.

If you are unsure if you need to take a theory test please contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Foreign licence holders If you hold a valid Community licence and you are visiting Great Britain, you can drive any vehicle for as long as your licence remains valid. The appropriate full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive must be shown on your licence.

The EEA countries are as follows: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

I Hold A Non UK Motorcycle Licence Can I Swap It For A UK Licence?

If you hold a full driving licence issued outside the EEA it may be possible to exchange it for an equivalent British licence. You should contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to find out if you can exchange your foreign motorcycle licence.

If you cannot exchange your foreign motorcycle licence you will have to apply for a British provisional motorcycle licence and take both a UK motorcycle theory and practical test.

The Motorcycle Theory Test Step By Step On The Day

We take a inside look at wht happens on the day of your motorcycle theory test.

phot. BMW Motors ©

Taking your theory test - What happends on the day?

The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.

If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again.

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for ie a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other test.

Hazzard perception part of the test

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Part one - multiple choice

Before the test starts you'll 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. Some questions may require more than one answer.

For cars and motorcycles you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50. For lorries and buses you'll be asked 100 questions in 115 minutes and the pass mark will be 85 out of 100.

You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. 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'll 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'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you'll 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 won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75. For lorries and buses the pass mark is 50 out of 75. The separate lorry and bus hazard perception test has 19 video clips, in each clip there will be at least one developing hazard. The pass mark will be 67 out of 100.

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you'll be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions. You don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions don't 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'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll then be given your result by the test centre staff. For lorry and bus candidates once you have passed both tests you will also receive a pass certificate letter by post.

How is the test scored?

The maximum you can score for each developing hazard is five points. You should respond by pressing the mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in you, the driver, having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The earlier you notice a developing hazard and make a response, the higer your score.

If you react inappropriately during the video clip by clicking continuously or in a pattern of responses you will score zero for that clip. At the end of the clip a pop-up box will appear informing you that you have scored zero for that particular clip.

Theory test centres in Wales

No	Town	Address	Post Code	Google Area Map	Country
1	Swansea	Grove House (2nd flr) 3 Grove Place	SA1 5DF	Directions	Wales
2	Merthyr Tydfil	Castle House (1st flr) Glebeland Street	CF47 8AT	Directions	Wales
3	Cardiff	Limerick House (3rd flr) 23 Churchill Way	CF10 2HE	Directions	Wales
4	Newport	Clarence House (6th floor) Clarence Place	NP19 7AA	Directions	Wales
5	Builth Wells	Spar Buildings (rear end) The Strand Groe Street	LD2 3DN	Directions	Wales
6	Rhyl	3 Bodfor Street	LL18 1AS	Directions	Wales
7	Aberystwyth	33 North Parade Ground floor unit	SY23 2JH	Directions	Wales
8	Bangor	Pearson Professional Centre 331 High Street	LL57 1YA	Directions	Wales

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The Motorcycle Hazard Perception Test

New drivers are disproportionately involved in accidents, especially in the first months after passing a driving test. It has been proven that drivers who have taken hazard perception training have much better hazard perception skills.

The government is committed to reducing the numbers killed and seriously injured on Britain's roads by 40 per cent by 2010.

The hazard perception element was introduced into the driving test in November 2002 as one of the measures that should help achieve this target by encouraging appropriate training in scanning the road, recognising at the first opportunity from the clues that a potentially dangerous situation might arise and adopting a driving plan to reduce the risk.

During the development of this test, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) worked closely with colleagues from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and the road safety division of the Department for Transport, both of whom thought this test suitable for testing the hazard awareness skills of all drivers.

The hazard perception part is delivered on a computer and you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 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.

Recognition of available clues and perception of danger are skills that are necessary in all drivers and riders, irrespective of the vehicle used. For this reason, the same version of the hazard perception test is used for all categories of test.

When watching the video clips do not be frightened to click the mouse button whenever you see a potential hazard involving another road user (i.e. anything that you think may cause the driver to change speed, position or direction). Watch the hazard and if it continues to materialise continue to click the mouse button.

This will ensure that you click within the scoring window.

Some of the potential hazards will not materialise and therefore you will not receive a score for spotting them. For example, if the cyclist shown in the developing hazard sequence stopped at the end of the side road (i.e. at the 4 point stage) the hazard would not have materialised.

In the actual clip the cyclist was travelling too fast to stop. This was the real clue to what was going to happen next.

In a few instances it is difficult to determine when a potential hazard becomes a developing hazard and therefore when the scoring window should start.

This is why it is safer to click a few times as you see a hazard develop to make sure you don't click too early and miss the opening of this window.

Pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road.
Vehicles emerging from side roads, parking places or driveways.
Large vehicles moving over to your side of the road.
Meeting oncoming vehicles on narrow roads or where other obstructions or slow moving vehicles make the road narrow.
Where animals may wander onto the road.

In this section you can find different ways to book your motorcycle theory test also some advice on the documents you should have before booking.

Booking Your Motorcycle Theory Test

You must have a provisional moped or motorcycle licence, or a full car licence with category P or A entitlement before you book a motorcycle theory test.

You can book your test by phone, online or by post. You must pay for your theory test at the time of booking. The motorbike theory test costs £21.50 (regardless of when you take or how many times you have done it before).

There are motorcycle theory test slots available from 09h00 to 17h00 Mon to Fri and 09h00 to 12h00 on Saturdays.

Booking Your Theory Test By Phone

You can call the DSA to book your theory test on this number 0870 010 1372.

When you call you will need to give your driving licence number (stated on your provisional or full driving licence). You will also need a credit or debit card in your name to pay the fee.

Booking Your Theory Test Online

You can book your motorcycle theory test online on the DSA website. You will need to enter your driving licence number and you will have to pay the fee online with your credit or debit card. Book your motorcycle theory test online here.

Booking Your Motorcycle Theory Test By Post

You can book your motorbike theory test by post. This is a good option if you do not have a credit or debit card in your own name, although you can also pay by card if you book via post.

You can pick up an theory test application form at all DSA test centres or from most motorcycle training companies and instructors. You can also order a theory test application form by calling the DSA on 0780010 1372 or, if you have a printer, download and print the motorcycle theory test application form here.

You will need your driving licence number to complete the form. You must post your booking together with the fee via a cheque or postal order, don't send cash!

You can also find your nearest DSA theory test centre by clicking here.