Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Afrikaans — Afrikaans
  • Albanian — Shqip
  • Amharic — አማርኛ
  • Arabic — العربية
  • Armenian — Հայերեն
  • Assamese — অসমীয়া
  • Aymara — Aymar aru
  • Azerbaijani — Azərbaycan dili
  • Bambara — Bamanankan
  • Basque — Euskara
  • Belarusian — Беларуская
  • Bengali — বাংলা
  • Bhojpuri — भोजपुरी
  • Bosnian — Bosanski
  • Bulgarian — Български
  • Cantonese — 廣州話
  • Catalan — Català
  • Cebuano — Sinugbuanong Binisayâ
  • Chichewa — Chichewa
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 简体中文
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 繁體中文
  • Corsican — Corsu
  • Croatian — Hrvatski
  • Czech — Čeština
  • Danish — Dansk
  • Dhivehi — ދިވެހި
  • Dogri — डोगरी
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • English — English
  • Esperanto — Esperanto
  • Estonian — Eesti
  • Ewe — Eʋegbe
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • Finnish — Suomi
  • French — Français
  • Frisian — Frysk
  • Galician — Galego
  • Georgian — ქართული
  • German — Deutsch
  • Greek — Ελληνικά
  • Guarani — Avañe’ẽ
  • Gujarati — ગુજરાતી
  • Haitian Creole — Kreyòl ayisyen
  • Hausa — Hausa
  • Hawaiian — ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
  • Hebrew — עברית
  • Hindi — हिन्दी
  • Hmong — Hmoob
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Icelandic — Íslenska
  • Igbo — Asụsụ Igbo
  • Ilocano — Ilokano
  • Indonesian — Bahasa Indonesia
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Japanese — 日本語
  • Javanese — Basa Jawa
  • Kannada — ಕನ್ನಡ
  • Kazakh — Қазақ тілі
  • Khmer — ភាសាខ្មែរ
  • Kinyarwanda — Ikinyarwanda
  • Konkani — कोंकणी
  • Korean — 한국어
  • Krio — Krio
  • Kurdish (Kurmanji) — Kurdî
  • Kurdish (Sorani) — کوردی
  • Kyrgyz — Кыргызча
  • Lao — ລາວ
  • Latin — Latina
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lingala — Lingála
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių
  • Luganda — Luganda
  • Luxembourgish — Lëtzebuergesch
  • Macedonian — Македонски
  • Maithili — मैथिली
  • Malagasy — Malagasy
  • Malay — Bahasa Melayu
  • Malayalam — മലയാളം
  • Maltese — Malti
  • Maori — Māori
  • Marathi — मराठी
  • Meiteilon (Manipuri) — ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ
  • Mizo — Mizo ṭawng
  • Mongolian — Монгол хэл
  • Myanmar (Burmese) — မြန်မာစာ
  • Nepali — नेपाली
  • Norwegian — Norsk
  • Odia (Oriya) — ଓଡ଼ିଆ
  • Oromo — Afaan Oromoo
  • Pashto — پښتو
  • Persian — فارسی
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Punjabi — ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
  • Quechua — Runa Simi
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Samoan — Gagana Samoa
  • Sanskrit — संस्कृतम्
  • Scots Gaelic — Gàidhlig
  • Sepedi — Sepedi
  • Serbian — Српски
  • Sesotho — Sesotho
  • Shona — Shona
  • Sindhi — سنڌي
  • Sinhala — සිංහල
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Slovenian — Slovenščina
  • Somali — Soomaali
  • Spanish — Español
  • Sundanese — Basa Sunda
  • Swahili — Kiswahili
  • Swedish — Svenska
  • Tajik — Тоҷикӣ
  • Tamil — தமிழ்
  • Tatar — Татар теле
  • Telugu — తెలుగు
  • Thai — ไทย
  • Tigrinya — ትግርኛ
  • Tsonga — Xitsonga
  • Turkish — Türkçe
  • Turkmen — Türkmençe
  • Twi — Twi
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Urdu — اردو
  • Uyghur — ئۇيغۇرچە
  • Uzbek — Oʻzbekcha
  • Vietnamese — Tiếng Việt
  • Welsh — Cymraeg
  • Xhosa — IsiXhosa
  • Yiddish — ייִדיש
  • Yoruba — Yorùbá
  • Zulu — IsiZulu
  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Motoring
    3. Learning to drive and new drivers
    4. Practical test

    About the practical test for motorcycles

    Once you have passed your motorcycle theory test, there are two practical tests. The first is a manoeuvres test and the second is the on-road practical test.

    Motorcycle manoeuvres test

    The motorcycle manoeuvres test involves:

    • a slow riding exercise, where the candidate rides alongside the examiner at walking pace
    • a slalom and figure of eight exercise, riding around cones
    • walking and riding U-turn exercises, including use of the motorcycle stands
    • a curve, to be ridden in second or third gear, at a minimum speed of 30 kph (18.75 mph)
    • a shared avoidance and braking exercise at a minimum speed of 50 kph (31.25 mph)
    • an emergency stop at a minimum speed of 50 kph (31.25 mph)

    The manoeuvres test is only available from the following Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centres: Ballymena, Craigavon, Downpatrick, Londonderry (Newbuildings), Mallusk and Omagh.

    On-road motorcycle riding test

    Before you start your riding test on the road, you will be asked to read a number plate to prove you can meet the eyesight requirements. You will also be asked two motorcycle safety check questions before moving away. 

    The examiner will check your licence and identification and if you wish, will tell you what the test is about and how long it will take (about 40 minutes). They will help you to fit the radio and earpiece, and explain how they work.

    You will be asked to do an angle start (move off from behind a parked car) and several normal starts (moving off from the side of the road). You may also be asked to move away on a hill (a hill start). You are to follow the road ahead unless directed differently on the radio. After the practical part of the test you will be asked a question on 'balance when carrying a passenger'.

    Booking motorcycle practical tests

    You can book motorcycle manoeuvres and on-road motorcycle riding tests online at the link below.

    •    Book your practical driving test online

    You can also book a test by phone. Calls are charged at local rate.

    •    DVA - practical driving test booking contact details

    Clothing requirements

    You must wear:

    • a motorcycle helmet that meets the minimum British or European safety standards (this doesn't apply if you're Sikh and wearing a turban)
    • motorcycle boots or other sturdy footwear that provides support and ankle protection
    • textile or leather motorcycle trousers or heavy denim trousers
    • a textile or leather motorcycle jacket or a heavy denim jacket with several layers underneath
    • motorcycle gloves

    Your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee if you don't meet these standards.

    Adverse weather

    DVA does not conduct riding tests in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate and the examiner.

    Practical riding tests are managed locally on a test by test basis, under local conditions which are reviewed regularly throughout the day. All attempts will be made to cancel tests ahead of time; however this is not always possible as local conditions can change quite quickly.

    If your riding test is cancelled, another appointment will be arranged automatically at no further cost, but compensation is not payable. You will be contacted with a new appointment date as soon as possible.

    If you are unable to go to a scheduled test due to adverse weather, you can contact the online booking enquiries team at the link below:

    • Online booking enquiries customer support team

    Independent riding

    There will be a section where the candidate will be asked to drive independently. For all other parts of the test, examiners will give candidates step-by-step instructions.

    In the independent riding section of the test, you'll have to ride independently by either following:

    • traffic signs
    • a series of directions
    • a combination of both

    To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram.

    More information about independent riding is available at the following page:

    • Independent riding

    After the on-road test

    Whether you pass or fail, the examiner will explain any faults marked on your driving test report (DL9). The debrief will give you a word picture of how you did during the test. It will include all the serious/ dangerous faults and any repeated minor faults if you have failed.

    You can have your instructor present during the feedback so you should make sure they are on hand at the end of the test.

    If you pass

    If eligible, your licence can be issued to you automatically. If not, you will be given a pass certificate which should be sent along with your licence with provisional entitlement to DVA as soon as possible. Your full licence will be posted to you.

    DVA Driver Licensing Division 
    Coleraine County Hall
    Castlerock Road
    Waterside
    Coleraine
    BT51 3TA

    If you fail

    If you fail, the examiner will give you an explanation, as above, to help prepare you for your next test. Your riding test report form will show you where you made mistakes.

    Difference between a moped (category AM) and a motorcycle

    A moped must have an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc and a top speed of no more than 28mph (45km/h). If first used before 1 August 1977, it must be equipped with pedals.

    A riding test for a light motorcycle (category A1) must be taken on a solo machine with an engine capacity of at least 120 cc but no more than 125cc, with a power output up to 11 kilowatts (kW) (14.6 bhp). If you pass the test for the A1 class you can ride bikes up to these power limits and with a maximum engine capacity of 125 cc.

    If your motorcycle is less than 75 cc it's not acceptable for the practical motorcycle test. If you pass your practical test on a motorcycle with automatic or semi-automatic transmission, this will be recorded on your licence and your driving licence will be restricted to this type of transmission.

    All motorcycles and mopeds must be fitted with either a side stand or main stand.

    More useful links

    • A guide to booking your practical driving test
    • Driving test fees
    • Test centre locations
    • About compulsory basic training (CBT)
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Practical test

    • A guide to booking your practical driving test
    • About the practical test for cars
    • About the practical test for motorcycles
    • Book a practical test for tractors and other specialist vehicles
    • Book your practical driving test online
    • Change, cancel or view your practical driving test online
    • Driving and vehicle test centres
    • Driving test fees
    • Driving test public health information for candidates
    • Driving test public health information for driving instructors
    • Independent driving
    • Minimum requirements for test vehicles
    • Reporting for your practical test

    Help improve this page - send your feedback

    What do you want to do?
    Report a problem
    Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

    Messages

    You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

    Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

    What is your question about?

    What to do next

    Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

    If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

    Carer's Allowance

    Call 0800 587 0912
    Email 
    dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

    Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

    Call 0800 587 2750 
    Email 
    customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

    Disability Living Allowance

    Call 0800 587 0912 
    Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

    Employment and Support Allowance

    Call 0800 587 1377

    Jobseeker’s Allowance

    Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

    Personal Independence Payment

    Call 0800 587 0932

    If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

    For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

    For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

    For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

    If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

    • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
    • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

    If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

    For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

    Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

    For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

    For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

    For queries about your GRONI account, email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk.

    For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

    For queries about:

    • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
      contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
       
    • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
      contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

    If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

     

    For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

    For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

    For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

    If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

    If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

    For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

    For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

    For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

    If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

    Related sites

    • gov.uk
    • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

    Links to supporting information

    • Accessibility statement
    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • RSS