RTT Practice Test

The RTT, or riding theory test, is the motorcycle theory test that learner riders in Great Britain and Northern Ireland sit before their practical riding tests. It has a multiple-choice part with 50 questions in 57 minutes and a hazard perception part with 14 video clips. This page sets out the official format, fee and pass marks, then gives free practice sets by topic and worked answers. Practice with the free Riding Theory practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (9 questions with answer explanations).

Free Riding Theory Test Study Tools

Interactive Riding Theory Test resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• RTT Traffic Laws & Road Safety Rules — 9 questions with answer explanations
• Riding Theory Test flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• Riding Theory Test study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• Riding Theory Test cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

RTT Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Oct 22, 2026 against Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), GOV.UK — Great Britain; Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), nidirect — Northern I. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

What the RTT is and how it works

According to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), GOV.UK — Great Britain; Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), nidirect — Northern I, “You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.”^[2]

The riding theory test checks that you know the rules of the road, how to handle a motorcycle safely and how to spot developing hazards before you ride on your own. In Great Britain it is run by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) through GOV.UK. In Northern Ireland it is run by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) through nidirect.

You take the test in person at a theory test centre, and GOV.UK says you must arrive 15 minutes before your test starts. Car and motorcycle tests cost £23 when booked through GOV.UK. If you live in Northern Ireland, check the current fee and booking steps on nidirect.

• Multiple-choice part: 50 questions in 57 minutes. The pass mark is 43 out of 50.
• Hazard perception part: 14 video clips. The pass mark is 44 out of 75.

The pass marks above are the ones nidirect publishes for car and motorcycle candidates. If you fail, you take the full test again, and you must wait at least 3 working days before you can rebook. Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. Eligibility rules, such as which licence you need before booking, are set by the official bodies and are not repeated here. Check them on GOV.UK or nidirect before you book. Our practice questions are written by us to help you revise. They are not real exam questions.

Worked examples: how to reason through RTT questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: When should a motorcyclist avoid using the front brake?

1. During any high-speed stop on a dry road
2. When the front wheel is turned at low speed during a tight maneuver
3. Whenever the road is slightly damp
4. During all downhill braking situations

Answer: B. When the front wheel is turned at low speed during a tight maneuver

Explanation:

Correct: B. At low speed with the handlebars turned, braking on the front wheel makes the forks dip and try to straighten. The bike can then lose balance and tip over. In tight, slow manoeuvres, control your speed with the rear brake and the throttle or clutch instead.

• A is wrong: a hard stop on a dry road at speed is when the front brake does most of the work, so you should use it.
• C is wrong: on a slightly damp road you still use the front brake, just more gently and smoothly.
• D is wrong: going downhill puts more weight on the front wheel, so the front brake is still needed.

Rule to remember: be careful with the front brake when the wheel is turned at low speed. When you are upright and moving, use it.

Example 2

Question: A motorcycle is traveling at 65 mph on the motorway. The rider needs to stop urgently. What is the best braking technique?

1. Apply only the rear brake firmly
2. Apply only the front brake firmly
3. Apply both brakes progressively and firmly
4. Release the throttle and coast to a stop

Answer: C. Apply both brakes progressively and firmly

Explanation:

Correct: C. To stop urgently from 65 mph, apply both brakes progressively and firmly. When you brake, weight moves forward, so the front brake gives most of the stopping power. The rear brake helps keep the bike stable. Squeezing on progressively instead of grabbing lets the tyres take the load without locking.

• A is wrong: the rear brake alone gives far less stopping power, and the rear wheel locks easily as weight moves off it.
• B is wrong: the front brake alone stops the bike harder than the rear alone, but you lose the stability the rear brake adds.
• D is wrong: coasting is not braking. You would travel much further before stopping.

Rule to remember: for a controlled emergency stop, use both brakes, squeezed on progressively and firmly, while keeping the bike upright and in a straight line.

Example 3

Question: How frequently should motorcycle air filters typically be inspected?

1. Every 500 miles regardless of conditions
2. Per the manufacturer's service schedule, more often in dusty conditions
3. Only when the engine starts running rough
4. Once per year at annual service only

Answer: B. Per the manufacturer's service schedule, more often in dusty conditions

Explanation:

Correct: B. The manufacturer's service schedule is the starting point for air filter checks. If you ride in dusty conditions, check the filter more often, because dust clogs it faster. A blocked filter restricts airflow, which can hurt performance and fuel economy.

• A is wrong: a fixed interval such as every 500 miles ignores both the manufacturer's guidance and the conditions you ride in.
• C is wrong: waiting until the engine runs rough means the problem has already set in. Checks are meant to catch it earlier.
• D is wrong: checking only at the annual service may be too late for a bike that is ridden often or on dusty roads.

Rule to remember: follow the manufacturer's schedule for maintenance, and check more often when your riding conditions are harder on the bike.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the multiple-choice and hazard perception pages on GOV.UK, or the theory test pages on nidirect if you are in Northern Ireland, so you know the format before you practise.

Work through the topics. Start with the areas that come up most in everyday riding: Rules of the Road, Road Signs and Markings and Speed, Stopping Distances and Following Distance. Then move on to Motorcycle Handling and Control, Rider Safety and Equipment and Maintenance and Safety Checks.

Review your mistakes. For every question you get wrong, read the explanation and write down the rule in your own words. Retry that set later and see whether the mistakes are gone.

Practise hazard awareness on its own. Use Hazard Awareness and Perception and Dealing with Vulnerable Road Users to train yourself to spot what might develop ahead. Then practise with the official hazard perception clips.

Do a timed run before test day. Answer 50 mixed questions in 57 minutes and aim for at least 43 correct. Finish with On Motorways and Accidents and Emergency Procedures, which are easy to leave until last.