New changes have been made to MotoGP's testing rules for injured riders following proposals from Aprilia.

The FIM have amended the MotoGP rules regarding testing for injured riders, the new rules allow riders to test if they meet certain requirements.

It now states that MotoGP riders who have missed three events or more are allowed to test before returning to a race weekend.

Riders who have missed more than three successive events are now allowed a single one-day test before returning to race.

The test must be carried out at a circuit eligible to the rider’s manufacturer based on their concessions status, or on any circuit where there is no MotoGP race scheduled for the remainder of the current season. The test must also not take place less than eight weeks ahead of a MotoGP event on that circuit.

The tyres used on the test will be a part of the manufacturer’s test team allocation for that season, with a maximum of three sets available for the test.

It’s also notable that one-day post-race tests are defined as part of the preceding race weekend. It means that a rider could not take part in the upcoming post-race test at Aragon the day after the Grand Prix there and then complete another one-day test, because participating in the post-race test will effectively count as having taken part in the Grand Prix weekend and therefore a MotoGP event.

Initial proposal from Aprilia:

The rule change was originally proposed by Aprilia Racing earlier this season. The Italian manufacturer called for the new rule after their new rider, Jorge Martin, missed the first three rounds of the 2025 season.

Aprilia Racing suggested that the rules should be changed to allow riders who have missed multiple rounds through injury to test a MotoGP machine to allow their bodies and minds to get used to riding a MotoGP bike again.

However, the rules were not changed originally due to Ducati protesting against a midseason rule change that could benefit their rivals.

This new change could once again help Aprilia after Jorge Martin fractured several ribs and suffered a pneumothorax at the Qatar Grand Prix. With the reigning Champion out for the foreseeable future he will likely be eligible for a one-day test.