Risk education and tests

The road to a motorcycle licence goes through three steps: risk education (riskutbildning), the theory test (kunskapsprov) and the practical riding test (körprov). The risk education is meant to give you insight into why motorcycling is risky. The tests show that you have the necessary knowledge and skills. Here we go through what each step contains.

The risk education

The risk education for motorcycles is compulsory and consists of two parts.

Part 1 covers alcohol and drugs, fatigue in traffic and other risky behaviour. It also covers the fact that other road users find it hard to see motorcycles and what you can do about it, as well as how visible your protective equipment is.

Part 2 covers, among other things, speed, safety and riding in different road and weather conditions. This part includes a manoeuvring course (manöverbana). There you experience, among other things:

• how your choice of speed affects the level of difficulty,
• the connection between speed and crash speed,
• how different factors affect the stopping distance,
• the importance of countersteering (motstyrning) and adapting your speed when changing course and making an evasive manoeuvre,
• choice of line and countersteering in right-hand and left-hand bends,
• braking from at least 70 km/h.

(TSFS 2009:26 5 kap.)

When must the risk education be done?

Both parts must be completed before you take the theory test, and the risk education must be valid at the time of the test. It is valid until the day you get your licence, but for at most five years.

Risk education for cars does not count for motorcycles. However, if you have already done the risk education for motorcycles, you do not need to redo it when you take a higher motorcycle category. The exception is anyone who got A1 before 1 November 2009, because risk education did not exist then.

If you attend a driving school (trafikskola), the school registers you for the risk education. If you practise privately, you contact a course provider yourself.

The theory test

The theory test (kunskapsprovet) for motorcycles contains 70 multiple-choice questions. Five of the questions are trial questions that do not count, so you can get at most 65 points. You need 52 points to pass. The test time is 50 minutes. A passed theory test is valid for one year, and you must pass the practical test within that time.

If you already hold A1 or A2, you do not need a new theory test when you take a higher motorcycle category. A practical test is enough.

The practical test

The practical test (körprovet) consists of three parts: a safety check, special manoeuvres and riding in traffic.

Safety check

You may be asked to check a selection of the motorcycle's parts, for example:

• lights,
• brakes,
• tyres and rims,
• transmission (kraftöverföring), which on a chain-driven motorcycle means the chain and sprockets, such as their tension and condition,
• mirrors,
• bearings (lager) in the steering head, swingarm (sving) and wheels,
• suspension,
• engine oil level,
• emergency stop switch.

If you find a defect, you must be able to suggest what needs to be done.

Manoeuvre test

The manoeuvre test (manöverprov) has three parts:

Low-speed part (lågfartsdel). You ride a course at crawling speed with left and right turns, and you must be able to stop and start while turning. On a motorcycle with a manual gearbox, the speed is basically controlled with the clutch (kopplingen), together with the throttle and brake.

High-speed part (högfartsdel). You accelerate to at least 50 km/h, make an evasive manoeuvre and ride a slalom course. You turn at the last cone and ride back, finishing with braking to a standstill.

Braking (bromsning). You carry out effective and controlled braking from 70 km/h and from 90 km/h to a standstill. You must use both the front and rear brakes. In most cases, effective and stable braking requires the use of both brake controls.

Riding in traffic

Riding in traffic lasts for at least 25 minutes in total, both in and outside built-up areas. The examiner (förarprövaren) communicates with you by radio.

The motorcycle at the test

The test motorcycle must meet certain requirements. For category A, for example, it must have a net power output of at least 50 kW, a kerb weight (tjänstevikt) above 175 kg, be able to reach at least 100 km/h and, if it has a combustion engine, have an engine capacity of at least 595 cm³. Lower requirements apply for A1 and A2.

The motorcycle must have a manual gearbox and a clutch lever that you use when starting, stopping, riding at crawling speed and changing gear. If it has no clutch lever, the test counts as a test for an automatic motorcycle, and the licence is restricted to such motorcycles. You must use the same motorcycle throughout the test.

Protective equipment at the test

You must wear protective equipment intended for motorcycling:

• helmet,
• protective clothing of leather or another heavy-duty material,
• goggles or a visor,
• sturdy boots,
• gloves,
• back protector.

The equipment must be intact and free from damage.

Remember

• Part 1 of the risk education covers alcohol, drugs, fatigue and risky behaviour. Part 2 covers speed and road conditions, with a manoeuvring course.
• Both parts must be completed before the theory test. The risk education is valid for at most five years.
• The theory test: 70 questions, 50 minutes, 52 of 65 points, valid for one year.
• If you already hold A1 or A2, a practical test is enough for the next category.
• Low-speed riding is controlled with the clutch.
• Braking from 70 and 90 km/h with both brakes.
• Without a clutch lever, the licence is restricted to automatic motorcycles.