FAQs Direct Access Full Bike Licence.
You need to be *21 years old* to take a Direct Access test.
Documents you will need include:
CBT certificate – this is also called a DL196.
Theory test pass certificate.
Provisional driving licence – remember you need the paper counterpart
as well as the plastic card - or an old style paper licence with a valid
passport.
If using your own bike you should take insurance documents and MOT certificate
should it need one.
Why a new test?
The new test allows you to be tested at set speeds on special manoeuvres
in a safe off road environment. It also allows some of the trickier
elements such as “U-turn” and “Emergency stop”
to be completed off road, thus making the on road part easier to complete.
What is the test like? Is it easier or harder?
We have taken real life pupils to actual practice tests conducted by
the DSA. We found that candidates passed easily with just a little bit
of instruction first. In fact one pupil passed module one after just
CBT and 4 additional hours of riding instruction from us, even though
they had never ridden before!
The feedback we are getting is that pupils find the test easier. Particularly as the emergency stop and U-turn are now done off road on clean tarmac with no camber or kerbs to worry about.
We anticipate the test pass rate to rise for those that learn the key elements first.
What are the key features?
New regional test centres
Large off road tarmac area
50 Kph (32 Mph) swerve manoeuvre
50 Kph (32 Mph) emergency stop
Slow riding exercise
Slalom
Figure of eight
Wheel machine backwards to bay park
On/off stand
U turn
30 Kph (19 Mph) Controlled turns
Now in two parts - off road cone work and on road practical
skills.
Can you explain about the first module?
Here you will be asked to do some specific manoeuvres that have to be at minimum speeds of 50kph or 30kph. There is also some slow riding to be tested, a u-turn, emergency braking and exercises showing you can control your bike.
Module 1 certificate is linked to theory certificate
When you pass module 1 you will be given a pass certificate which you will
need to keep. The module 1 certificate is linked to your theory test
certificate so make sure you pass the next module before your theory
test runs out.
Can you explain the second module?
This is very similar to the old test where you are followed by an examiner
on a motorcycle with a radio link between you. This module can be pre-booked
to happen straight after the first module so long as it is from a MPTC
(new test centre), or can be taken later on either from a MPTC or from
old style test centres where there is no large tarmac area. It’s
up to you or your training company how and where you book the modules.
We recommend a gap between tests to allow you the chance to reschedule
the second module should you need to.
What happens if I fail Module 1?
You have to leave a gap of three clear working days in order for you to take more training so you can pass on the next attempt.
You can’t progress to module 2 until you have passed module 1. If you have booked the modules to be consecutive or you can’t give three clear working days notice of cancellation then unfortunately you won’t be able to sit the module 2 and you will have lost your DSA test fee! Also if you have booked a lesson with an instructor to take you to test then this still needs to go ahead – but just as a lesson not a lesson with test.
We recommend sitting module 1 to be followed with module 2 a week or so later, so should you need to re-sit then there is no problem with rescheduling the 2nd module. It's ok to book consecutively but we want riders to know the implications of not passing module 1 with a module 2 close by.
What happens if I fail Module 2?
If you fail module 2 then you apply to re-sit just that element. You
need to leave 10 clear working days before the next test to allow you
time to take more training.
Remember that your module 1 pass certificate is linked to your theory test certificate. If your theory test expires then you will need to re-sit both the theory test and the module 1 test.
How much does test or retest cost?
We hope you won’t need a re-test – but if you do…
Module one £10
Module two £70 (Mon to Fri)
Module two (Saturday) £82 (where offered)
The cost of a test session/lesson with bike and instructor is on our prices page.
You will need to book an instructor to give you additional instruction and to accompany you to the test centre. Our customer advisers help you through the process and we pre-book tests and retests for you so life is easier and more convenient. Do remember Scarboro Rider Training have an excellent pass rate so we hope this talk of re-tests is not going to be needed!
What is different about the new motorcycle test?
The new two-part test has extra and more demanding special exercises
that must be completed off road. It also allows some of the exercises
that were previously done on road, to be completed on the off road site.
The new testing elements for the module one include:
At least two exercises carried out at slow
speed, including a slalom.
At least two exercises carried out at higher speed, of which one exercise
should be in second or third gear, at a speed of at least 30 kph.
One exercise avoiding an obstacle at a minimum speed of 50 kph.
At least two braking exercises, including emergency braking at a minimum speed of 50 kph.