If you are planning to ride a motorcycle or scooter on the road, the theory test is one of the fixed points on the route to a full licence. It is set and marked by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), and it exists to check that you understand the Highway Code, road signs, and the hazards specific to riding on two wheels before you are let loose on the road with a full licence in your pocket.
The motorcycle theory test is built around riders. The multiple-choice questions and the video clips in the hazard perception section are drawn from a motorcycle-specific bank, so the situations, distances and judgement calls are the ones a rider actually faces rather than a generic set shared with car learners. That matters, because a car driver's blind spots, stopping distances and visibility in traffic are not the same as a motorcyclist's.
This page is your starting point. Below we cover what the test involves, how it differs from the car theory test, the full journey from CBT through to Module 1 and Module 2, and what Fast Track does to make booking and managing your test straightforward.
What the motorcycle theory test involves
The test has two parts, sat together in one appointment at a DVSA test centre. The first part is 50 multiple-choice questions, and you have 57 minutes to work through them. You need 43 out of 50 correct to pass that part.
The second part is hazard perception: 14 video clips of real riding situations, each containing at least one developing hazard. You click as you spot the hazard developing, and the earlier and more consistently you spot it, the higher you score. The pass mark is 44 out of 75. You must pass both parts in the same sitting to pass overall.
How it differs from the car theory test
The format is identical in structure, same number of questions, same timings, same pass marks, but the content is not interchangeable. The question bank for motorcyclists covers riding-specific topics: filtering, machine control, riding in groups, protective clothing, and the particular vulnerability of riders at junctions.
The hazard perception clips are filmed from a rider's viewpoint where relevant, and reflect situations such as car drivers pulling out without seeing a bike, or hazards that matter more at speed on two wheels than they would in a car. Revising with car-focused materials will leave gaps.
- 50 questions, 57 minutes, 43/50 pass mark for the multiple-choice section
- 14 hazard perception clips, 44/75 pass mark
- Motorcycle-specific question bank and clips, not shared with the car test
- Certificate valid for two years from the pass date
The full route: CBT, theory, Module 1, Module 2
Most riders start with Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), which you normally need to complete before riding on the road on L plates. CBT is not a test in the pass or fail sense, it is a training day (sometimes split over two) covering the basics of machine control, road riding and observation. A CBT certificate is valid for two years, and it lets you ride up to the limits of your provisional entitlement on L plates during that time.
To go further and gain a full category A licence, you need a provisional licence with category A entitlement, then a theory test pass, followed by two practical tests: Module 1 (off-road manoeuvres such as slow control, cornering and emergency braking) and Module 2 (on-road riding assessed by an examiner following on a bike or in a car with radio contact). Your theory pass certificate is valid for two years, and you need to complete both practical modules within that window.
- Step 1: provisional licence with category A entitlement
- Step 2: CBT (valid two years, needed before riding solo on L plates)
- Step 3: motorcycle theory test (certificate valid two years)
- Step 4: Module 1 (off-road manoeuvres)
- Step 5: Module 2 (on-road riding)
Licence categories and age limits
Which licence category you are working towards affects what machine you can ride and when you can take your tests. AM covers mopeds from age 16. A1 covers light motorcycles from age 17. A2 covers a wider range of motorcycles from age 19, and A is full access, available at 24 by direct entry, or at 21 if you have held an A2 licence for two years via progressive access.
Your theory test pass generally carries across categories A1, A2 and A within its two-year validity, but the practical requirements differ, so it is worth checking your own situation on GOV.UK before booking anything.
What Fast Track does for you
We do not set or mark the test, DVSA does that, but we take the admin off your plate. Full Membership at £49 includes your theory test booking, one resit at no minimum mark requirement if you need it, a cancellation checker that watches for earlier theory and practical test slots, and access to our Learning Hub with motorcycle-specific practice material.
If you already have a booking and just want us to hunt for an earlier date, Theory Cancellations Only is available for £19.99. Either way, the studying is on you, but the logistics of finding and holding a good test date do not have to be.
Motorcycle guides
How to Book Your Motorcycle Theory Test
A clear walkthrough of booking a motorcycle theory test with DVSA, what you need before you start, and how we handle the booking and cancellation checking for you.
CBT Explained: What It Is and Why You Need It
Compulsory Basic Training is where almost every rider starts. Here is what it covers, how long it lasts, and how it fits alongside the theory test and full licence.
Module 1 and Module 2: The Practical Motorcycle Tests
Once your theory test is passed, Module 1 and Module 2 are the two practical stages standing between you and a full motorcycle licence. Here is what each one involves.
Motorcycle Licence Categories Explained: AM, A1, A2, A
Which motorcycle licence category applies to you depends on your age and riding history. Here is what AM, A1, A2 and full category A actually mean.
Motorcycle Hazard Perception: What to Expect
The hazard perception section catches a lot of riders out. Here is how it works, why it is riding-specific, and how to prepare for it properly.
How to Pass the Motorcycle Theory Test
A practical guide to preparing for the motorcycle theory test, covering both the multiple-choice questions and hazard perception, without relying on car-focused materials.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need CBT before I can take the motorcycle theory test?
No, you do not need to have completed CBT before sitting the theory test. However, you will normally need CBT before riding on the road on L plates, and you need your theory pass before booking Module 1 and Module 2.
Is the motorcycle theory test harder than the car one?
The format, timings and pass marks are the same. The content is different because it draws from a motorcycle-specific question bank, so preparation needs to be rider-focused rather than reusing car theory materials.
How long is my theory test certificate valid?
Two years from the date you pass. You need to complete Module 1 and Module 2 within that window, otherwise you will need to sit the theory test again before continuing.
What licence category do I need to book a theory test?
You need a provisional licence with category A entitlement. Your date of birth determines which motorcycle categories, AM, A1, A2 or A, you are eligible to progress to.
Can I use car theory test revision materials?
Not reliably. The multiple-choice questions and hazard perception clips are drawn from separate, motorcycle-specific banks, so car-focused revision will miss topics like filtering, machine control and rider-specific hazards.
What does Fast Track actually handle for me?
We book your theory test as part of Full Membership, check for cancellations so you can move to an earlier date, and give you access to our Learning Hub. DVSA sets the questions and marks your result, we handle the booking and monitoring around it.
What happens after I pass the theory test?
You move on to Module 1, the off-road manoeuvres test, and then Module 2, the on-road riding test. Both need to be completed within the two-year validity of your theory pass certificate.