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United Kingdom · Theory test

Motorbike test module 1: the off-road exercises

Module 1 is the off-road part of the motorbike test, ridden in a motorcycle manoeuvring area at the test centre. It normally takes about 20 minutes and checks that you can handle the bike slowly, stop in an emergency and swerve round a hazard. You pass motorbike test module 1 with no serious or dangerous faults and no more than 5 riding faults, and you’re told the result straight away.

  • 2Tries to reach the minimum speed
  • 19 mphMinimum for the fast exercises on a moped
  • 31 mphMinimum for the fast exercises on a bike
Where to study

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What happens in motorbike test module 1?

  1. Wheeling the bike with the engine off, and putting it on and off its stand
  2. A slalom and a figure of 8
  3. A slow ride
  4. A U-turn
  5. Cornering and a controlled stop
  6. Cornering and an emergency stop
  7. Cornering and hazard avoidance

Your speed is measured for the emergency stop and the hazard avoidance exercise. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publishes diagrams of the area’s layouts.

DVSA on GOV.UK: Manoeuvring area diagrams ↗

What the examiner looks for

  • Wheeling: move the bike backwards out of one bay marked with cones and into another, without touching a cone and with the right observations
  • Slalom and figure of 8: two figure-of-8 circuits between cones without touching them or putting a foot down
  • Slow ride: a reasonably straight line, under control, without stalling or going too fast
  • U-turn: a full-control turn between two painted lines without touching either, looking behind before you move off or turn
  • Emergency stop: quickly and safely, without losing control
  • Hazard avoidance: steer between cones, straighten up and stop in a bay

DVSA’s most common faults include hitting cones, missing observations and not reaching the minimum speed.

DVSA on GOV.UK: Understanding your module 1 result ↗

Your module 1 result

  • The examiner tells you any faults and gives you a pass certificate to take to module 2
  • Your result shows ‘examiner took action’ if the examiner had to step in to prevent a collision or incident
  • On progressive access, you must pass module 2 within 6 months, or take module 1 again

If you fail module 1

  • Book another module 1 and pay again, on a date at least 3 working days away
  • If you’d already booked module 2, you may need to move it, because you can’t take it until you’ve passed module 1
  • Give 3 full days’ notice to move module 2, or you lose its fee. Sundays and public holidays don’t count
Booking and changing riding tests →
Sources: GOV.UK · DVSA on GOV.UK and 1 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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Everything else, in one place

OverviewWhere to learnBookingCostPass markHazard perceptionLicenceCBTRiding test

Licence categories

Moped (AM)A1A2Full A

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Module 1Module 2Training

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Test centresNorthern Ireland