Motorcycle test manoeuvres

Any kind of examination is stressful if you’re desperate to pass and paying for the privilege and the motorcycle practical test is no different.

Having your riding scrutinised by an examiner with the power to pass or fail you puts even the most competent of riders on edge.

There’s no getting away from nerves but doing the right preparation can help you get through.

That’s why The Bike Insurer has put together this guide outlining the different riding manoeuvres you’ll be required to perform during Module 1 of your motorcycle test (the good news is that you’ve covered most of it in your CBT already).

1. Manual handling and using the stands

You will need to display your ability to wheel your motorcycle in a U-turn safely before placing it on either its centre stand or side stand.

2. Slalom and figure of eight

The second manoeuvre will see riders doing a ‘slalom’ manoeuvre, riding in and out of cones in a controlled and safe manner at low speed.

Riders will then need to ride in a figure of eight, showing proper control at fairly low speeds.

3. Slow ride

From the figure of eight, riders will take part in a slow ride manoeuvre where they will need to demonstrate their ability to ride at slow speeds, mirroring riding in slow moving traffic.

Here the rider will ride to the next exercise.

4. U-turn

Riders will need to perform a U-turn and demonstrate their ability to complete the manoeuvre in a controlled manner.

Riders will be asked to park their motorbike as if next to a kerb. They will then be asked to move off from a parked position and perform a U-turn.

The rider will then need to park their motorbike on the opposite side of the road, facing the opposite direction to the one they started in.

5. Circuit bend and controlled stop

Riders will need to complete a ride around a simple curve at speeds between 20mph and 30mph however speed will not be measured.

At the end of the manoeuvre, riders will then need to perform a controlled stop and bring their motorcycle to a stop with a designated area.

6. Cornering and emergency stop

Riders will replicate the previous manoeuvre however instead of a controlled stop, they will perform an emergency stop.

This time round, your speed will be monitored and measured to ensure you reach a minimum of 32mph.

7. Cornering, avoidance and a controlled stop

The final manoeuvre for riders sees them ride around the circuit and reach speeds of 32mph.

Riders must complete an avoidance exercise, moving off a straight and through a pair of cones, before returning to the straight.

Riders must then come to a controlled stop within a designated area.

If riders complete all these manoeuvres successfully, they will pass Module 1 of the Motorcycle Practical test and be able to take Module 2.

Differences for mopeds

Anyone who takes their test on a moped will not have to achieve 32mph but 19mph.

Leeway

During Module 1, riders can make up to five ‘rider’ faults during the manoeuvres however if they make any more, they will fail.

Similarly, if riders make one serious or dangerous fault, they will also fail the test.

You can learn more about what happens on a motorcycle practical test with The Bike Insurer.

Module 1 motorcycle test manoeuvres

You can see an outline of the layout of the motorcycle manoeuvre area for the Module 1 part of your practical test below.