Are you looking to take your motorcycle licence training in Shepherds Bush? If so, you will most probably want to undergo motorcycle training at one of our training centres in and around the Hammersmith and Fulham area.
How does the motorcycle test work?
If you’re looking to gain your full motorcycle licence, then - in a similar way to when you take your car driving test - you will have to first pass a theory and hazard perception test before you can take your practical motorcycle tests. After which, you’ve got two years to complete your practical test - or you will have to take both of the theory tests again.
If you’re taking your CBT however you don’t need to take any theory tests (because the Compulsory Basic Training isn’t really a test; it’s only training) and this will get you on the road and riding around town immediately -although you will have to make sure that your bike or scooter has the legally required L-Plates.
When you feel that the time is right to take your full, practical motorcycle test it will be split into two distinct sections; Module 1, and Module 2. You cannot progress to Module 2 without first passing Module 1 so these will usually take place on different days (in case you need a day in between to retake your first module for example).
In order to assess your basic motorcycle control, Module 1 will take place within an off-road training area and it will usually take around 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
To start with, you’ll be asked to push the motorcycle around while walking alongside the bike and you’ll need to show that you can use the stand correctly.
After that, you will need to perform a series of maneuvers while riding; these involve being able to perform a slalom (to show your steering control) and a controlled figure of eight in a set pattern, a slow, controlled ride, a U-turn, cornering and controlled stop, cornering and emergency stop, and the cornering and hazard avoidance maneuver.
This might all sound quite daunting at first, but your motorcycle training will have prepared you for everything before your take your test and your instructor will never put you forward for your module test if they don’t feel that you’re ready or confident enough. But once you’ve completed them - and you will! -you will be able to move onto Module 2.
Module 2 is the road riding part of your test. It will most probably involve riding around the local Shepherds Bush area for around 50 minutes or so whilst your examiner assesses your road skills.
You will head out onto the road in front of the examiner, who will give you directions through a one-way radio (you can hear him, but he can’t hear you!) - this will be something that you would already have gained experience of when taking part in your motorcycle licence training around Shepherds Bush. The road ride will include stopping, pulling away at an angle from behind a parked car, and a hill start where possible. For a portion of the on-road test you will have to show that you can ride independently, so the instructor will give you a destination, and you will have to reach it by following road signs.
Once this has been completed you’ll be able to hit the Uxbridge Road on your own, with the knowledge that you’ve had the best training available.
Do I need to take my motorcycle test in order to ride a bike or scooter?
You don’t need to pass a test in order to ride a motorcycle or scooter on the roads.
If you’re 17 or under - or you just don’t feel the need or desire to gain your full licence just yet - then the quickest way to two wheels is via the CBT… The difference this time however is that you can only ride bikes upto 125cc, with a maximum power output of 11kW and that you will have to have L-Plates on your motorcycle or scooter until you’re ready to advance and move up to your next level of training.