Motorcycle Test Review Research – Phase 1

The aim of this research is to explore the feasibility and safety of testing motorcycle manoeuvres on public roads. The research programme has been split into three phases:

Phase 1: Mock-road (off-road) trialling with learners
Phase 2: On-road trialling with experts
Phase 3: On-road trialling with learners

The Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to undertake phase 1, working with DSA and overseen by a working group which includes representatives of motorcycle industry, trainers and user groups.

The main objectives of phase 1 are to:

• Consider a range of manoeuvres to use in the mock-road trials, which have the potential to form part of a future on road test
• Compare the assessment of the manoeuvres used in the mock-road trials with the current Module 1 to ensure these manoeuvres are of a similar standard
• Explore the safety implications
• Explore the training requirements

Phase 1 will provide factual data from learners and examiners (e.g. time taken for each manoeuvre), and interview feedback from both groups as well as from trainers. It will explore:

• Slow, higher speed, and manual handling manoeuvres to determine the feasibility of which of these manoeuvres may or may not be suitable on the road
• Examiners’ accuracy in estimating the speed of learner riders
• The time taken to complete each of the possible revised manoeuvres
• The type of training riders may require in order to undertake the new manoeuvres

Manoeuvres will be trialled on the road in phases 2 or 3. Depending on the outcome of phase 1, the manoeuvres may be modified or changed for phases 2 and 3. It is very likely that the on road phases will not include all of the same manoeuvres from phase 1. For example, the figure of eight manoeuvre is being included in phase 1 to confirm the view of all parties that it can’t be taken on road, and to check the minimum area that could be used for this manoeuvre in off road locations.

We are looking at a range of manoeuvres in phase 1 to build up a robust body of evidence to select suitable manoeuvres for trialling in phase 2 and 3, and to enable Ministers to make an informed decision about the future of the motorcycle test, including which manoeuvres are or are not suitable to be part of on-road tests.