You must have a provisional moped or motorcycle licence to book your motorcycle theory test. The test is run by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and you can do the test at one of almost 200 DVSA Theory Test Centres around the UK.
You must pass the theory test before you can do your moped or motorcycle practical test.
However, if you got your full moped licence before 1 Jul 1996 and have a full car licence then you do not need to redo the motorcycle theory test when upgrading to another category of motorcycle licence. You do not need to redo the motorbike theory test if you are upgrading from a lower category motorcycle licence to a higher one e.g. from a Category A1 motorcycle licence to a Category A motorcycle licence.
Note that the car theory test and the motorcycle theory test are two distinct tests. Hence you must do the motorcycle theory test to qualify for doing your motorcycle practical test, even if you have already done a car theory test as part of getting your full car driving licence. If you got your full moped licence by doing your CBT to validate the moped entitlement on your car driving licence, then you must still do the motorcycle theory test to qualify for the practical motorcycle test (since you’ve gotten your full moped licence without doing a motorcycle theory test).
Booking Your Theory Test…
You’ll need your driving license and a debit or credit card to do the booking. Decide which theory test centre is best for you. Local centres are…
BIRMINGHAM
38 Dale End, Birmingham, West Midlands, B4 7NJ
REDDITCH
2nd Floor, Grosvenor House, Prospect Hill, Redditch, Worcestershire, B97 4DL
DUDLEY
Lower Floor, Trafalger House, 47-49 King Street, Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 8PS
SUTTON COLDFIELD
Four Oaks House, 160 Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 2TZ
WOLVERHAMPTON
2nd Floor, Derwent House, 42-46 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 4XB
You can book on-line here
The test currently costs £23.00
What Happens at the Motorcycle Theory Test
You must bring your licence with you for inspection at the theory test centre. You must take both the photo card and paper counterpart. If you have an old school paper licence with no photo, then you must also takea valid passport. No other form of photographic identification will be accepted. You aren’t allowed to take any personal items into the test room with you. All your personal items must be stored in the lockers provided. If you’re found with any prohibited items in the testing room your test will be stopped, you’ll be asked to leave and you’ll lose your test fee. Once you’re in the test room you aren’t allowed to talk to or distract other candidates.
Multiple Choice Questions…
The test is done on a computer touch screen. Before the test starts, you’ll be given instructions on how it works. You can choose to do a practice session of multiple-choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin. When the test starts the questions are shown one at a time and you enter your answer by touching your choice on the screen. You can scroll back and forth between the questions and change your answer if you wish. You have 57 minutes to answer the 50 questions and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
After the multiple-choice part you can choose to have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception part starts.
Hazard Perception Test…
The hazard perception test is also done on the computer touch screen. Road scenes are shown, and you must click when you see any potential hazards develop. The quicker you notice the hazard the higher your score. Each candidate will be tested on 14 film clips chosen at random from a series of 200. The pass mark is 44 out of 75
Motorcycle Theory Test Pass Certificate…
If you pass your theory test you will be given a pass certificate which is valid for two years. You must have a valid theory test pass certificate to book your practical moped or motorcycle test. If your motorcycle theory test certificate expires before you obtain your full moped or motorcycle licence, then you will have to redo the theory test before you can book your practical test.
If you fail…
In the very unlikely event that you fail the motorcycle theory test, study the feedback given on your letter and identify why you failed. If you want to book another theory test you can do so from the day after your test onwards, but you cannot take the test again for another three clear working days.
Don’t forget you need to pass your Theory Test BEFORE you can book your lessions…