From September 29, the new practical motorcycle test is being introduced to comply with European legislation which aims to improve road safety for motorcycle and moped riders.

It will set extra and more demanding special exercises which include at least two exercises carried out at slow speed, including a slalom, at least two exercises at higher speed, of which one exercise should be in second or third gear, at a speed of at least 19mph and one exercise avoiding an obstacle at a minimum speed of 32mph.

It also includes at least two braking exercises, including an emergency brake at a minimum speed of 32mph.

A spokesman for the DSA said: “It was considered it would not be safe to conduct the new higher speed and braking exercises on public roads which in very built-up and busy test areas would not be safe for the rider, other road users and the general public.

“Undertaking a fair assessment would be best achieved by using a pre-determined layout using ground markings and cones. It would be impractical and unsafe to do that on a public road as to comply with the speed requirement examiners would have to use roads with a speed limit of 40 mph.

“The DSA has also developed a minimum test area in which it will be safe to conduct off road parts of the new test.”