The practical motorcycle test: procedure, duration, retaking it

Before the drive, the examiner checks on a spot-check basis whether you know your vehicle. Typical tasks: Tyres (tread depth, tyre pressure, damage), Chain (tension, lubrication), Brakes (lever play, brake fluid level), Lighting put through, Steering and show emergency stop buttons. You learn that along the way during driving lessons – and the most important reassurance: An uncertain answer is not a reason for failure. The pre-departure check is part of the overall assessment, not a knockout criterion. Anyone who can confidently explain three or four points is well prepared.

The exam lasts 70 minutes (A1, A2, and A – also when upgrading from a car licence), of which at least 30 minutes of actual driving time; only the promotion exam (A1 to A2, A2 to A after two years) is with 60 minutes shorter (Schedule 7 FeV). The procedure: greeting and safety check, then the basic driving exercises (e.g. slalom, emergency braking, swerving – six for direct access, four for progression), followed by the driving test in traffic. You're driving ahead – the examiner follows in the car together with your driving instructor and gives you the route by radio Asking questions is allowed and not a mistake. You will get the result immediately afterwards.

Without full protective clothing is the exam not taking place – the inspection organisations (TÜV | DEKRA) require: well-fitting ECE helmet, motorcycle gloves, motorcycle jacket, motorcycle trousers, back protector (unless integrated into the jacket) and motorcycle boots or high, sturdy footwear with ankle protection. This is an exam requirement, not a general law (only the helmet is compulsory on the road) – but individual test centres do interpret the list quite strictly: jeans without protectors or trainers can lead to cancellation. By the way, you need the same equipment for every riding lesson – so by the time of the exam at the latest, it should long since be your own.

First of all: in the motorcycle categories, most people pass – failing is the exception, not the rule. If it does happen, it's usually for one of these reasons: Fault in the basic driving exercises (Putting a foot down in the slalom, knocked-over cones, braking for danger too hesitantly – where you are allowed to repeat up to three tasks once each), lack of visual technique (forgetting to check your blind spot when changing lanes and turning is the classic), Right of way and traffic light offences suffering from nervousness – and, often underestimated: driving too hesitantly. Anyone who drives significantly too slowly out of a fear of making mistakes and holds up the traffic is not demonstrating safe driving to the examiner. The consequence for your preparation: practise the basic driving tasks until you are bored, make the shoulder check a habit – and only take the test when your driving instructor considers you test-ready, not when the calendar dictates it.

Generally not – driving takes place in normal rain. The examiners know that a wet road sets different standards and assess accordingly: longer braking distances, adjusted speed and defensive driving are then not a minus, but precisely right. Postponed is at real emergency situations – Thunderstorms, storms, ice or snowfall; the decision is made by the testing organisation and the driving instructor, and such a postponement does not disadvantage you. The practical advice: Do not obsessively plan your test around the weather forecast. Anyone who in the Driving lessons has also practiced in the rain, rides the rain test just as safely – and sometimes even benefits from the fact that there is less traffic on the road in bad weather.

First, to put this into perspective: nationwide, across all classes, about a quarter of practical tests are failed – the situation looks significantly better in the motorcycle classes. Most motorcycle learners already bring driving licence and traffic experience with them and know the rules; for category A, around 90 percent pass the practical test in most driving schools. And if it does catch you out: It says nothing about your future as a motorcyclist. The rules: You are allowed to repeat as often as desired – the story of the lockout after three attempts is a Mythos, which does not exist in the FeV (§ 18). There is a waiting period between the attempts of as a rule at least two weeks. Each new attempt costs the exam fee and presentation fee again. You should keep an eye on one deadline: your passed Theory test is only valid for 12 months – whoever delays the practical training for too long has to retake the theory as well.