Plans for new motorcycle testing published

Report suggests new hazard avoidance manoeuvre carried out on the road

Plans have been published to trial a new, single, on-road motorcycle test.

The report from the motorcycle test review is the result of work the Department 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.

The 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 Department for Transport 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.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "By working with the motorcycle training industry and others we have identified a set of changes which have the potential to deliver this."

"It is also my aim that these changes will open up the test to those living in areas which are poorly served by the current network of-off road test centres."

Further information:
Department for Transport