PLANS to trial a new, single, on-road motorcycle test have been published by road safety minister Mike Penning.

The report from the motorcycle test review is the result of work his department has undertaken with motorcycle groups, training organisations and others since June 2010.

Mr Penning said: “I want to make sure that we have a test which prepares bikers properly for the road so the motorcycle test review is a top priority for me.

“My goal has always been a single, on-road test which is rigorous and reflects real-life conditions. By working with the motorcycle training industry and others we have identified a set of changes which have the potential to deliver this.

“It is also my aim that these changes will open up the test to those living in areas which are poorly served by the current network of off-road test centres.

“The focus will now be on starting trials of these proposals."

The test is currently carried out in two parts, one on-road and one off-road.

The report suggests a new hazard avoidance manoeuvre which – subject to further trialling – could be carried out on the road.

There is also a proposal which will be given further consideration, that slow manoeuvres such as slalom, figure of eight, and U-turn could be examined at training centres by delegated examiners ahead of the main test.

The Department for Transport hopes that there would be a phased introduction of on-road testing moving to general adoption of the new test by the end of 2011 or early 2012.