A new testing technique designed to measure the intralaminar shear properties (mode II) of fibre-reinforced plastics on notched rectangular specimens is presented. The tests and evaluation procedures are based on the fracture energy concept. The shear test method is experimentally simple; the loading device as well as the sample geometry are small, and hence, well suited for low-temperature experiments on both unirradiated and irradiated samples. Experiments carried out at room temperature and at 77 K, on a two-dimensionally glass fibre-reinforced epoxy (Isoval 10), are presented. Results of acoustic emission and fractographic examinations as well as investigations concerning the influence of the sample geometry on the measured fracture mechanical quantities are discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of the new testing technique are assessed and compared to other shear tests.