UK Motorcycle Theory Test Study Guide 2026

Routes to a motorcycle licence

Every new rider in Great Britain follows the same basic route. You can take the theory test before or after compulsory basic training (CBT), but you must pass it before the practical motorcycle test.

Get a provisional driving licence with moped or motorcycle entitlement.
Complete compulsory basic training (CBT) with an approved training body.
Pass the motorcycle theory test: multiple-choice questions and hazard perception.
Pass both modules of the practical motorcycle test within 2 years of your theory test.
Think about the optional enhanced rider scheme, which may also lower your insurance.

Compulsory basic training (CBT)

CBT is a course, not a test: there is no pass or fail mark. When you complete it, you can ride on the road as a learner. From 16 you can ride a moped, and from 17 a motorcycle up to 125cc with a power output up to 11kW. You must use L plates (L or D plates in Wales).

After CBT you have 2 years to pass your theory and practical tests. If you do not, you must take CBT again or stop riding. Riding without a valid CBT certificate can bring a fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points.

As a learner you must not carry a pillion passenger (Rule 85) and must not use motorways (Rule 253). Your motorcycle must be taxed, insured, have an MOT if it needs one and have a valid V5C.

Licence categories

Category	What you can ride	Minimum age
AM	Mopeds with a top speed between 25 and 45 km/h, plus some small three-wheelers and light quadricycles	16
Q	Mopeds with a top speed of 25 km/h (granted with AM)	16
A1	Light motorcycles up to 125cc and 11kW (up to 0.1kW per kg)	17
A2	Motorcycles up to 35kW (up to 0.2kW per kg)	19
A	Any motorcycle, with no power limit	24 by direct access, or 21 after 2 years on A2

You can reach a bigger category in two ways. With direct access, you take the tests for that category once you are old enough. With progressive access, you hold a smaller licence for 2 years and then pass a further practical test. For example, a rider aged 21 who has held A2 for 2 years can take a test for category A.

New riders are on probation. If you get 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your test, your licence is revoked.

How the motorcycle theory test works

You need a provisional motorcycle licence to book. The test has two parts, which you book and take together. You must pass both.

Part	What happens	Pass mark
Multiple-choice questions	50 questions in 57 minutes	43 out of 50
Hazard perception	14 video clips with 15 developing hazards	44 out of 75

In the multiple-choice part, you can flag questions and change answers at any time. For tests before 29 October 2026, some questions are based on a short written case study. From 29 October 2026, three questions are about a short, silent video of a normal riding situation, which you can watch as many times as you like. You can take a break of up to 3 minutes before hazard perception.

Hazard perception

Each clip has at least one developing hazard: something that would make you change speed or direction. One clip has two. Click as soon as you see a hazard starting to develop. The earlier you respond, the more points you get, up to 5 per hazard. You do not lose points for a wrong click, but if you click continuously or in a pattern, you score nothing for that clip. You cannot review a clip.

Your pass certificate lasts 2 years. If you fail, you must wait at least 3 working days and take both parts again.

Helmets and protective clothing

The main legal rule is Rule 83: riders and pillion passengers on motorcycles, scooters and mopeds must wear a protective helmet on all journeys. The helmet must comply with the regulations and be fastened securely. Followers of the Sikh religion wearing a turban are exempt.

A rider in full protective clothing.

A full-face helmet.
Eye protection: the helmet’s visor.
A jacket with long sleeves and bright reflective material.
Full-fingered gloves.
Long, sturdy trousers.
Boots that cover the ankles.

Visor and eye protection: check before each journey that your visor is clean and in good condition. Eye protectors must comply with the regulations. Scratched or badly fitting ones limit your view (Rules 83 and 84).
Ear protection: consider wearing it, because wind noise on long rides can damage your hearing (Rule 84).
Boots, gloves and clothing: strong boots, gloves and suitable clothing may help protect you in a collision (Rule 84).
Daylight: a light or brightly coloured helmet and fluorescent clothing or strips help others see you (Rule 86).
Darkness: reflective clothing or strips let other vehicles’ headlights pick you out from further away (Rule 87).

Machine checks and maintenance

A quick check before every ride can prevent a breakdown or a crash. Learn what each item should look like on your own machine.

Tyres: check pressures when the tyres are cold. Look for cuts, bulges and objects in the tread. Motorcycle tyres need at least 1 mm of tread across three-quarters of the width, in a continuous band all the way round (Annex 6).
Brakes: both brakes should work smoothly, and the brake light should come on with each one.
Lights, indicators and horn: all must work and be clean.
Chain: set the slack and lubricate it as your handbook says.
Throttle and steering: the throttle should snap closed when released, and the steering should move freely from lock to lock.
Leaks: find and fix any oil or fuel leak before you ride.
Mirrors: adjust them from your normal riding position before you move off.

Control: braking, steering and bends

Sit with your arms relaxed, your knees against the tank and your feet on the footrests, toes pointing forward. Look well ahead, not down at the front wheel.

Braking

On a dry road the front brake gives most of your stopping power, because weight moves forward as you slow. Use both brakes in normal riding. Brake hardest when the machine is upright and travelling in a straight line. Most skids are caused by the rider braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, so use every control smoothly.

Do not coast with the clutch pulled in. Rule 122 explains that coasting removes engine braking, lets speed build quickly downhill and affects steering, especially in bends. On a steep hill, choose a lower gear so engine braking helps you.

Steering

Above walking pace, you steer by countersteering: press the handgrip on the side you want to go. Press the right grip forward to lean and turn right.

Countersteering: press the grip on the side you want to go.

The rider presses the right grip forward. For a moment, the front wheel points slightly left.
The motorcycle and rider lean to the right.
The motorcycle follows the road as it turns right.

Bends

Do your slowing down before the bend, while upright. Look through the bend to where you want to go, then keep a steady or gently rising throttle to keep the machine stable. In a normal bend, lean with the motorcycle and keep your head level.

Rider and machine lean together in a normal bend.

The head stays level, with the eyes in line with the horizon.
The body leans with the motorcycle at the same angle.
The arms are relaxed, with the hands on the grips.
The feet stay on the footrests.
The lean angle between upright and the motorcycle.

Observation and road position

Rule 88 reminds riders of the routine for every change of speed or direction: Observation – Signal – Manoeuvre. Check behind and to the sides, using your mirrors if fitted and looking behind you. Before you move off, use all mirrors and look round for blind spots (Rule 159).

Mirrors do not show everything. A final look over your shoulder into the blind spot just before you change direction is often called the lifesaver. Use it when you turn, change lanes or pull out, but not where looking away from the road ahead would be dangerous.

Road position

Your normal position is around the centre of your lane. Move from it when you need a better view, more space from a hazard, or to be seen. Rule 88 says to position yourself so drivers ahead can see you in their mirrors. Use dipped headlights in daylight to stand out, but remember that other drivers may still not have seen you, especially at junctions (Rule 86).

Junctions, filtering and overtaking

Rule 211 warns drivers that motorcyclists are hard to see, especially at junctions, at roundabouts and when filtering. As a rider, assume a driver waiting to pull out has not seen you. Slow down, cover your brakes and be ready to stop.

Turning right: well before the turn, take up a position just left of the middle of the road, or in the space marked for right-turning traffic (Rule 179).
Roundabouts: give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs or markings say otherwise (Rule 185).
Advanced stop lines: motorcyclists must stop at the first white line when the lights are amber or red (Rule 178).
Cycle lanes: you must not ride or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation (Rule 140).
Large vehicles: a long lorry turning left may swing out first. Do not ride up its left side.

Filtering

When you filter through slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low (Rule 88). Watch for pedestrians crossing between vehicles, doors opening, and vehicles pulling out of junctions or changing lanes.

Overtaking

Do not overtake where you cannot see far enough ahead, such as at a bend or the brow of a hill (Rule 166), or where you might come into conflict with other road users, such as at a junction (Rule 167). Use the lifesaver look before you pull out, and do not cut in when you return to the left.

Hazard awareness and sharing the road

Good riders spot hazards early. Scan far ahead, to the sides and behind, and ask yourself what each road user might do next. The earlier you see a hazard, the more time you have to slow down gently or change position, instead of braking hard.

Pedestrians: watch for people stepping out between parked cars, from behind a stopped bus, or near schools and shops. Children can be hard to see and may act suddenly.
Cyclists: when overtaking at speeds up to 30 mph, leave at least 1.5 metres, and more at higher speeds (Rule 163). A cyclist looking over their shoulder may be about to turn or pull out.
Horse riders: pass wide and slow, at under 10 mph, and allow at least 2 metres (Rules 163 and 215). Do not rev your engine or sound your horn near horses.
Parked cars: look for doors opening, and for drivers about to pull out. Leave a door’s width where you can.
Large vehicles: their drivers may not see you in their mirrors. If you cannot see the mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

Hazards can also be fixed features: junctions, bends, the brow of a hill, a narrow bridge or a change in the road surface. Use the road signs and markings to read the road ahead, and be ready to slow down before you reach the hazard, not at it.

Space, road surfaces and weather

Leave at least a two-second gap to the vehicle in front on fast roads in good conditions (Rule 126). Double it on wet roads, and leave even more on icy roads.

Checking a two-second gap using a fixed point.

A: The following vehicle. It should take at least two seconds to reach the fixed point.
B: The vehicle in front, which has just passed the fixed point.
C: The fixed point, such as a lamp post.

Stopping distance is your thinking distance plus your braking distance. The Highway Code gives typical figures: 23 metres at 30 mph and 96 metres at 70 mph. In the wet they are at least double (Rule 227), and on ice they can be ten times longer (Rule 230).

Typical stopping distances in metres. Each bar is thinking distance plus braking distance.

The lighter part of each bar is the thinking distance.
The darker part of each bar is the braking distance.

Surfaces

Two small tyre patches keep you upright. Drain covers, painted markings, oily or icy patches, wet leaves, mud and loose chippings all reduce grip (Rule 213). Slow down before them and avoid harsh braking or steering. Cross tram tracks at right angles if you can.

Weather and light

Wind: strong gusts can blow a motorcyclist off course (Rule 232). Expect gusts at gaps between buildings, on bridges and when passing high-sided vehicles.
Poor visibility: you must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally to less than 100 metres (Rule 226).
Dazzle: if oncoming headlights dazzle you, slow down and stop if you need to.
Cold: cold slows your reactions. Dress in suitable layers.

Pillion passengers and loads

Learners must not carry a pillion. Once you have a full licence, Rule 85 sets the law: you must not carry more than one pillion passenger, the passenger must sit astride the machine on a proper seat, and the motorcycle must be designed to carry one. The passenger should face forward with both feet on the footrests.

Rider and pillion passenger in the correct positions.

The rider’s hands are on the handlebar grips.
The rider’s feet are on the rider footrests.
The passenger holds the rider’s waist or the passenger grab handles.
The passenger’s feet are on the passenger footrests.

A pillion changes how the bike handles. Check your handbook for tyre pressures and suspension settings, allow more distance to stop, and ask your passenger to lean with you in bends. Carry heavy luggage low and central, and never exceed the load limits.

Motorways

Learner riders and motorcycles under 50cc must not use motorways (Rule 253). Once you have a full licence, the motorway speed limit for motorcycles is 70 mph (Rule 124).

Lanes on a three-lane motorway.

The left lane, for normal riding.
The middle lane.
The right lane, for overtaking.
The hard shoulder, for emergencies only.

Keep to the left-hand lane unless you are overtaking (Rule 264). Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested traffic you may keep up with your lane, even if it passes slower traffic on your right (Rule 268). Wind blast, noise and cold make motorway riding tiring, so plan breaks.

Alcohol, drugs and fitness to ride

Where	Legal alcohol limit (blood)
England, Wales and Northern Ireland	80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood
Scotland	50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood

The safest choice is not to drink at all if you are going to ride (Rule 95). Illegal drugs, and some medicines, can also affect your riding (Rule 96). Check medicine labels and ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take a break of at least 15 minutes after every 2 hours of riding (Rule 91).
You must be able to read a number plate in good daylight from 20 metres (Rule 92).
You must not use a hand-held mobile phone while riding (Rule 149).

If you stop to help at a crash where a motorcyclist is hurt, do not remove their helmet unless it is essential (Rule 283).

Tips for the theory test

Read the Highway Code, especially Rules 83 to 88 for motorcyclists and the rules on motorways and weather.
Learn the numbers: licence ages, power limits, stopping distances and the alcohol limits.
Practise hazard perception clips until you click early but not repeatedly.
Read each question twice. Look for words such as “must”, which point to the law.
Bring your provisional licence to the test centre.