New Practical Test from October 2008

[KTM Gordo]

I've just come back from the NEC Show, and while I was there I spent a bit of time talking to the guys who have been working on the new practical motorcycle test.

I know it's almost two years before it comes in to effect, but would anyone be interested in an explanation of what it will involve?


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Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[jay_666]

[KTM Gordo]

I did ask them - that's how I have the information on the new test.

The reason for my question was whether it would be of interest to people rather than type a long (and possibly dull) post about something that nobody wants to read about.


____________________
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[jay_666]

Yea but, you didnt think to ask them what the new test consisted of?

never mind.......
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[St0rmer66]

jay_666, I don't think you're quite understanding what he's saying! . Re-read his post carefully .

KTM Gordo, I would love to hear about it. I will almost certainly have passed my test by then but I'm interested none the less.
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[bunglehaze]

Im all for the test being harder so yeah it would be interesting to hear what changes they are making..

cheers

leigh
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[Rookie]

Let's just hope it involves scrapping the u-turn.

[bunglehaze]

I think the u-turn should be left in, although its not particularly useful on the road it is a great way to display rider control over the bike.

CBT should be infinately toughened up too, half a day riding round watching kids fall off and still pass is not exactly what I would call safe

cheers

leigh
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[smallpaul31]

I would like to know what they got planned for 2008, av got to agree the u turn is a pain in the (!), only cos a need more practice


Paul

[KTM Gordo]

The new pratical motorcycle test is being introduced in October 2008 to comply with European legislation aimed at improving the standard of road safety for motorcycle and moped riders. This group has been identified as having a high risk of injury or death, particularly in the case of young and inexperienced riders.

The new test involves more demanding special manoeuvres for riders including:

* At least two manoeuvres carried out at slow speed including a slalom,
* At least two manoeuvres carried out at higher speed, of which one should be in at least second or third gear at a speed of at least 30km/h (18.75mph),
* One manoeuvre avoiding an obstacle at a minimum speed of 50km/h (31.25mph),
* and at least two braking exercises, including an emergency stop at a minimum speed of 50km/h (31.25mph).

The higher speed manoeuvres and other exercises will be tested on safe off-road sites and take about eight minutes to complete.

The accompanied riding element of the test will follow, consisting of a road ride and include normal stops, hill and angle starts.

Candidates who display unsafe riding during the off-road part of the test will not be permitted to proceed to the on-road element.

The new test will be delivered from around 65 new Multipurpose Test Centres providing both motorcycle and car testing facilities. Some low use sites will only provide motorcycle testing.

The practical moped riding test and a test for the drivers of motorcycle and sidecar combinations are also under development.

The picture below shows the layout of the off-road testing area:
https://www.network.mag-uk.org/oct06pic1.jpg

The numbers refer to the manoeuvre:

1 On and off the stand
2 Wheel the machine
3 Slalom
4 Figure of eight
5 30 kph circuit ride
6 50 kph avoidance
7 Controlled stop
8 U-turn
9 Slow ride
10 30 kph circuit ride
11 50 kph emergency brake

The examiner will explain each part of the test to the candidate, so don't worry about having to learn the route around the cones!

More details of the new test centres can be found here: https://www.dsa.gov.uk/MPTC

HTH
____________________
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[jay_666]

[Rookie]

[KTM Gordo]

[alone]

I'm in two minds over the emergency stop being done inside.
One part thinks it's good, cus if you do fuck up badly, at least you're not crashing on the road.
But then the flip side is that by doing it inside, you won't be really ready for doing it outside. You may be over confident.

As for the swerve at speed, I'm sure anyone who's been biking for a while will have had to suddenly swerve at some stage.

[Rob-B]

I think that sounds quite good, less lunatics will pass hopefully.

[Rookie]

[smartwhitelig...]

When I did my DAs in August, my instructor had told me about the new test, and just to give me an idea, he made me do the slalom of cones, but with the cones nearer than the test requirment. He was pleasantly surprised when I managed it. It actually gave me a better understanding of slow speed control and therefore made u-turns easier, which I think is what he was aiming for, as my u-turns had been crap prior to this.

Anything that makes a more competent rider has to be a good thing. I agree, the CBT is a bit useless in it's present form. Although, having never been on a bike before in my life, I think it is a necessity, but just gave very very basic skills ( I know this is the point to it) but a couple of days may have been better.

[Dom]

Rookie, I've gotta say, I disagree with you. These changes will have to mean that instructors will be telling learners all about target fixation etc etc. It'll mean that more of the 'real world' biking stuff is actually taught to people before they pass, by the looks of it. Seems a decent idea to me.
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Photos and that

[KTM Gordo]

My comments about the traffic calming chicanes was strictly tounge in cheek!

Seriously, the chances of crashing during the avoidance test are slim. You're in the middle of a large area of tarmac with a few cones that are designed to be knocked out of the way if hit.

The emergency stop is done as though it were on the road, and appropriate observations to left and right before moving off again are required.
____________________
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[Zimbo]

I disagree as well I'm afraid Rookie, I think it's a good idea that pupils should demonstrate proper control and obstacle avoidance skills at real world speeds. They're likely to have to do it for real fairly soon after the test at some point, after all!

I do agree however that a decent application of theory should be taught as well though, pupils are generally taught to pass the test rather than to ride.

[bunglehaze]

At the end of the day this is the TEST, by this stage they should have had enough lessons to be good enough to ride unsupervised otherwise they are not ready - simple as!

They will go out and get a bigger bike and not know any of the real world biking techniques - potentially causing fatalities. Just look at my stooopid off recently, fortunately I only bruised my elbow (not even visibly though) and scraped a bit of plastic but im sure with a few months or riding experience behind me I would have controlled my slide a bit better and stayed upright.

Right now I am all for doing an advanced rider course as well

cheers

leigh
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[mogrim]

The whole offroad part sounds very similar to the Spanish test - lots of riding rounds cones in a safe environment. Which is a very good way to learn slow speed handling skills, and naff all use for normal riding at 50kmh.

Still, as long as this part of the test is combined with a strong on-road test, I don't see the problem - in Spain if you've had a car licence for more than 2 years it isn't, so I started road riding with zero experience...

[KTM Gordo]