Once you have your Leaner Permit, completed your IBT Course and you have 6 months Riding experience, you can then apply for the Motorcycle Driving Test. You can apply online at the RSA website

The Motorcycle Driving Test is an assessment of your ability to ride your Motorcycle safely and with confidence on the public roads. Being properly prepared for the test will greatly increase your chances of getting a Pass – this is where we come in.

The Motorcycle Test…

On the day of your test you should arrive early. Your tester will ask you questions regarding the rules of the road, road signs, some specific motorcycle questions and hand signals. He/she will check your bike for road worthiness and road tax, and ask you to demonstrate some basic controls. Then you’re onto the road – your tester will deliver instructions via a one way radio system. Your tester will follow you in another vehicle – this is likely to be a car, but from 2013 some testers are using motorcycles. This enables the tester to have a greater understanding of the conditions you are riding in along with giving him/her a better view of your behaviour on the bike. Testers generally stick to proven routes that incorporate the conditions required to allow the applicant to demonstrate their ability to safely ride a motorcycle on different types of roads, and with varying speed limits. In order to pass the Motorcycle Test, a rider must have a good solid knowledge of the rules of the road, and display confident control of the Motorcycle for the duration of the test regardless of the chosen route on that day. The Motorcycle Pretest Lesson is designed to get you up to that standard.

The Motorcycle Pretest Lesson…

Motorcycle Pretest Lessons vary in duration depending on the needs of the Rider.

When should you take a Motorbike Pretest Lesson?

Ideally you should take a Pretest Lesson about ten to fourteen days before your test date. This gives you enough time to practice and correct any problems that your instructor may have spotted. It will allow you time to get your riding up to the test standard. If the quality of your riding was close to test standard to begin with then a single motorcycle pretest may be sufficient. Some riders take a second lesson closer to the test date if they feel they could benefit from it.

What’s involved in the Motorcycle Pretest?

Firstly your instructor will answer any questions or concerns that you might have. He will then take you step by step through what you can expect on the day of your motorcycle test. He will review many of the common questions asked by the tester and go through the knowledge of motorcycle maintenance you are required to have along with the safety checks you should do.

Next it’s out on to the road. You will ride your motorbike (or one of our school bikes) and your instructor will ride his bike behind you while giving you directions via radio (similar to those used by the testers). Your instructor will bring you around the routes commonly used by the testers – you’ll look at the common pitfalls on certain junctions and areas where you are likely to get into difficulty.

Your instructor will carefully assess your motorbike riding skills, in particular looking for problems or issues with your riding style. He will then advise on appropriate actions needed to improve these problems and to get you to test standard while ensuring you’re riding to a safe standard. The duration of the assessment varies from student to student.

Your instructor will be working with you to solve any problems that have been identified, and to get you up to test standard.

In addition he will give your motorcycle a look over and point out any obvious problems or defects which might cause your motorcycle to be unsuitable for the test (this is not a mechanical test). Occasionally motorcycles presented for the test are refused owing to defects or design changes. This means that the test fee is forfeited and the rider must re-apply for the test.

At the end of the pretest lesson you will be advised of your progress and any problems that are still present so that if necessary you can book any further lessons required. If, for any reason, your instructor feels that you are not up to test standard he will let you know. It would be far better to defer your test for a few weeks and get up to test standard rather than waste money and confidence attempting the test too early.