Welcome to the Shrewsbury Motorcycle School

Theory Test
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. 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. 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.

Motorcycle practical test
To pass the practical motorcycle test you need to pass its two separate modules within two years of you passing your motorcycle theory test and CBT. The first module will test you doing set manoeuvres on the motorcycle in a safe off-road area. The second module is the on-road test.

Module one
You will need to provide all of the following valid documents:

  • your driving licence with the correct provisional entitlement - both the photocard and counterpart document or a valid UK passport to support a paper licence
  • your compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate (DL196)
  • your motorcycle theory test certificate

If you hold a full moped licence and wish to upgrade to a full motorcycle licence, or if you are 21 years old and wish to upgrade your motorcycle licence, you are exempt from the CBT and theory test. Module one includes the following specified manoeuvres and generally takes around 20 minutes to complete:

  • wheeling the machine and using the stand
  • doing a slalom and figure of eight
  • cornering, hazard avoidance and controlled stop
  • U-turn
  • a slow ride
  • the emergency stop

There is a minimum speed requirement of 50 kilometres per hour (approximately 32 miles per hour) for the hazard avoidance and emergency stop exercises.

Module two
For module two you must produce your module one pass certificate, as well as all the documents that you had to present at the module one test. Module two is the on-road module and typically takes around 40 minutes. This module includes the eyesight test, the safety and balance questions and the road riding element that will cover a variety of road and traffic conditions.You'll be asked to carry out normal stops, an angle start (pulling out from behind a parked vehicle) and, where possible, a hill start. The examiner will normally follow you on a motorcycle, using a radio to give you directions.