DVSA Syllabus // Element C of E
C. Practical On-Site Riding
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Element C is the core skills block. You'll ride figures of eight, perform U-turns, controlled stops, an emergency stop, and a low-speed slalom — all on the closed pad. Your instructor will not let you on the road until you're confident here.
Practical checklist
- 01
Figure of eight
Smooth, repeated, at controlled walking pace without stalling.
- 02
U-turn
Inside a 7m box, no foot-down, head turned to the exit.
- 03
Emergency stop
From 20 mph, controlled, both brakes, no skid.
- 04
Slalom
Through cones at slow speed using clutch and rear brake control.
- 05
Indicator discipline
Signal — Mirror — Manoeuvre, every time, even on the pad.
Common mistakes
- Looking at the front wheel instead of where you're going.
- Stabbing the front brake during the emergency stop.
- Forgetting to cancel indicators after a turn.
Pass tips
- Use the clutch friction zone as your throttle for slow work.
- Drag the rear brake gently — it stabilises the bike at walking pace.
- Head and eyes lead the bike. Where you look, you go.