BHST Explained: How to Prepare for the Basic Handling Test

If you want to ride a motorcycle on New Zealand roads, the Basic Handling Skills Test, or BHST, is your first step. You have to pass it before you can apply for a motorcycle learner licence. The good news is that it is a test of control rather than courage, and control can be learned.

What the BHST is

The BHST is a practical test of basic motorcycle control. It takes place off the road, on a hard sealed surface with a marked course, and it is run by an NZTA approved instructor or examiner. You ride a set pattern at low to moderate speed while the examiner watches how you handle the bike.

Pass it and you get a basic handling skills certificate. You then take that certificate to a driver licensing agent to apply for your learner licence (class 6L), where you also do a theory test and an eyesight check. The NZTA BHST page has the current requirements and fees.

What the test involves

NZTA's test manual sets out four stages:

• Basic turn and stop
• Figure of eight and park
• Linking figures of eight
• Increased speed and emergency stop

In the last stage you build up some speed and then stop quickly when the examiner signals. If you are not going fast enough, you may be asked to go around again.

Throughout the test the examiner looks at where you are looking, signalling, head checks, your position on the course, control of the bike, speed, and how you park.

Why riders fail

The common reasons are simple ones:

• Riding too fast for the pattern
• Riding outside the marked course
• Putting a foot down while moving

Nearly all of these come back to clutch and throttle control at low speed. A figure of eight is easy at walking pace if you can hold the bike steady on the friction point with a little rear brake. It feels impossible if you are snatching the clutch in and out. Nerves make it worse, because tense arms make the steering heavy and twitchy.

That is why good BHST practice spends most of its time on slow control rather than riding the test pattern over and over.

How to prepare

• Get time on a bike before test day. If you have never ridden before, plan for more than one practice session.
• Practise slow riding. Walking pace, in a straight line, with both feet on the pegs. Then add gentle curves.
• Look where you want to go. In tight turns, turn your head and look through the turn, not at the cone in front of you.
• Use the rear brake at low speed. It steadies the bike without upsetting the steering the way a grab of front brake can.
• Build up emergency stops step by step. Start slowly, squeeze the front brake firmly and smoothly, and add speed as your confidence grows.
• Learn the pattern. Knowing where you go next frees up your attention for riding.
• Relax your grip. Loose arms let the bike steer itself at low speed.

What to bring on the day

The bike you use must be LAMS approved and have a current warrant of fitness. Pit bikes, mopeds and junior bikes are not accepted. You need your own helmet, and proper gloves, boots and a jacket are a good idea even at low speed, because low speed drops still hurt.

You are not licensed to ride on the road yet, so you cannot ride the bike to the test yourself. Plan how it will get there. If you do not have a bike, get in touch and ask us about a training bike.

After the BHST

With your learner licence in hand, the next goal is your restricted licence. Our guide to NZ motorcycle licence stages explains how learner, restricted and full fit together, including the CBTA and practical test routes.

Keep practising the slow control skills after you pass, too. They are the same skills you use in car parks, at intersections and in slow traffic every day.

BHST practice with us

Our BHST practice sessions are one to one: one NZTA certified instructor and one rider. You get feedback as you ride and leave with a short list of what to practise before your test. See our courses for details, or book a session.