Motorcycle Theory Test 2026: 60 Questions Every UK Rider Must Know

The motorcycle theory test checks more than your Highway Code knowledge. It checks whether you understand how vulnerable a rider is. Two wheels, no crumple zone and a much smaller profile than a car mean the questions focus heavily on braking, grip, visibility and reading other road users.

We’ve gone through a set of 60 practice questions that cover the topics riders most often meet. Below they’re grouped by theme, with the reasoning behind each answer. If you understand why an answer is correct, you’ll still get it right when the DVSA words it differently on the day.

The motorcycle theory test format

Whether you’re working towards an A1, A2 or full A licence, the theory test works the same way:

You need a theory pass and a valid CBT certificate before you can book Module 1. If you’re not sure where the theory test fits in, read our guide to getting your UK motorcycle licence.

Braking, skids and machine control

This topic comes up again and again, because it’s where riders get hurt.

• Normal braking: use both front and rear brakes together. You get balanced, controlled stopping that way.
• Wet roads: use both brakes, gently and progressively. Grabbing the front brake on a wet surface is a classic way to lock the wheel. If a question says “only use the front brake in the wet”, the answer is false.
• Rear wheel skid: release the brake that caused it, or ease off the throttle, so the tyre can grip again.
• Wobble at speed: ease off the throttle smoothly and slow down gradually. Don’t brake hard and don’t fight the handlebars.
• ABS: apply firm, steady pressure. The system releases and reapplies the brakes for you, so you don’t need to pump them.
• High-side crash: most often caused by too much throttle in a bend. The rear wheel loses traction, then suddenly grips again and throws the rider off.
• Slippery surfaces: ride at a lower speed and avoid sudden braking, steering or acceleration.

Tip: When you see an answer with “brake hard”, “accelerate out of it” or “grip tightly”, it’s almost always a distractor. The DVSA rewards smooth, progressive control.

Weather, visibility and being seen

Riders are easy to miss, so many questions are about being seen and seeing clearly.

• Fog: use dipped headlights. Fog lights should only go on when visibility drops below about 100 metres. Turn them off when it clears.
• Strong winds: slow down. Crosswinds are the main danger for riders and can push you off your line, especially when you pass gaps in hedges, come off bridges or overtake high-sided vehicles.
• Wet weather: leave a bigger gap. Stopping distances can be at least double on wet roads.
• Aquaplaning: your tyres are riding on a film of water instead of the road surface, and you can lose steering and braking.
• Tinted visors: never at night or in poor light, because they cut down how much you can see.
• Clothing: wear bright or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective material at night.
• Tunnels: take off sunglasses and switch on dipped headlights before you go in.
• Night riding: dip your headlight when you’re following another vehicle and when someone is overtaking you, so you don’t dazzle them.

Why riders are vulnerable: junctions, lorries and blind spots

Did you know? Junctions are where riders are most at risk. Drivers pulling out often fail to see a motorcycle, or misjudge how fast it’s coming.

Questions in this group test whether you can anticipate other people’s mistakes:

• Blind spots are to the sides and slightly behind you. Do a lifesaver check over your shoulder before you change lanes or direction.
• Long vehicles need a lot of room to turn and may swing out first. Don’t filter alongside them, because the driver may not see you.
• Being tailgated: drop back from the vehicle in front. That gives you more room to brake gently so the driver behind isn’t caught out.
• Overtaking: only go when you have a clear view of the road ahead. Show your intention with your position and indicators, not your horn.
• Horse riders: slow down and pass wide and slowly. Never rev your engine or sound the horn near them.
• Pedestrian with a white stick: the person is blind or partially sighted. A white stick with a red band means they are deafblind.

This links directly to hazard perception, where spotting the car that’s about to pull out is exactly what scores points. Our hazard perception guide explains how to time your clicks.

Pillions, loads and the legal side

Several questions test the rules that separate learners from fully licensed riders:

• Pillion passengers are only allowed once you hold a full licence for that category. CBT and a provisional licence don’t count.
• Carrying a pillion or a heavy load changes how the bike handles. Braking, acceleration, cornering and balance are all affected, so adjust your tyre pressures and possibly your suspension and headlight aim.
• Provisional licence age: you can ride a moped from 16, and you can apply for the provisional licence from 15 years and 9 months.
• Noise: a modified or faulty exhaust that is too loud can get you penalised.
• Pre-ride checks: check tyres, lights, mirrors, brakes, fuel and oil. Check the oil level especially before a long journey.

Numbers and rules worth memorising

Some answers simply need to be learnt. These are the figures that come up most often:

Remember: The horn is for warning other road users that you’re there. It’s not for showing annoyance. Questions that offer “to tell other drivers off” as an option are testing exactly that.

A few other rules also turn up regularly. Road humps, chicanes and narrowings are there to slow traffic down. At a roundabout you normally give way to traffic already on the roundabout, which usually means traffic coming from your right. An arm held straight out to the right means you’re turning right.

How to use practice questions properly

Going through a list of 60 questions is a good start, but the real test draws from a much larger bank. To get the most from your revision:

1. Read the explanation every time, even when you got the answer right.
2. Revise by topic. Do all your braking questions together, then visibility, then vulnerable road users. That way you learn the principles, not just individual answers.
3. Sit full timed mocks once you’ve covered every topic, and aim for 46+ out of 50 so you have a safety margin.
4. Practise hazard perception separately. It’s half of your result and has its own pass mark.

If you’re short on time, our guide to the hardest theory test questions covers the questions candidates get wrong most often.

Revise every question with the Motorcycle Theory Test app

The Motorcycle Theory Test app is built for riders moving on from CBT to an A1, A2 or full A licence. You can revise all 707 DVSA questions across 15 topics, sit timed mock tests under exam conditions and practise on 46 hazard perception clips. It also includes the complete Highway Code, so you can look up any rule as soon as a question catches you out.

It’s one of eight specialist apps on drivingapps.co.uk, which together have more than 5,200 questions. They cover car, LGV, PCV, ADI, traffic signs and more, so if you move on to a car or a professional licence later, you’ll find the right app here too.

Want a quick warm-up first? Try a free quiz on the site, with no sign-up needed. Ride safe, and good luck with your test.