Three days ago, Oxford's teenage motorcycle racing sensation Bradley Smith was roaring around the world famous Indianapolis track at 140mph.

But today, he faces a much scarier ordeal — taking his motorcycle proficiency test.

Despite riding motorbikes since the age of six, Bradley, 17, of Forest Hill, near Oxford, does not have a road licence.

Since being catapulted into the world of Moto GP he spends much of his time travelling around the world racing, and has not found the time to sit his test — until now.

Last night, as he prepared to take his test, Bradley, who is used to doing 0-60 in under three seconds on his Aprilia RSA 125 bike, said there was a big difference between riding on the road and riding on the track.

He said: "Getting on a road-legal bike feels very strange, it's much bulkier and heavier — and I'll have to remember where the indicators are.

"I'll also have get used to positioning myself differently on the road when going into a corner, and not going too far out.

"When I ride I think of taking sweeping lines like in a race, where you try to go as fast as you can through the bends. That's not possible now."

The former Wheatley Park School pupil, who is seventh out of 36 in the Moto GP 125cc World Championship, said riding on the road felt more dangerous than racing.

He added: "On the track they try to make it as safe as possible for you, but on the road you have so many things to contend with. You've got diesel spills, loose manhole covers, and traffic coming in the opposite direction."

As he took a lesson with his instructor Dave Grover from Quickstart, which has centres in Oxford and Kidlington, the racer said he was keeping his fingers crossed that he would pass this afternoon at the Banbury test centre.

But he added: "It would be embarrassing if I was unable to pass first time, but it's just one of those things."

His father Allan said: "The bike he is riding is nice, but it is nothing compared to the performance of the bike he has on the track and I think that is good. It means he can't forget where he is.

"Bradley is about starting from scratch.

"He needs to forget about racing and become a road rider. It's not about being fast or flash, it's about riding safely."

Bradley said that even if he passed the test he might not take to the road just yet.

He said: "It's getting into winter and the conditions aren't great.

"Racing is my profession now, so I can't afford to be coming off my bike and getting hurt."