The Lowdown on UK Test Centres

[angryjonny]

OK - so it strikes me that a lot of folks come on here looking for advice and tips while they're learning to ride. One thing I thought might be useful would be some sort of repository of information about the test centres we all used when we did our tests to give newbies a "heads-up" before they do their tests. I figured that if we all say where we did our tests and what awkward bits we encountered (odd rules concerning entry/exit of the centre, quirks of local test routes that examiners like to test you on) then folks doing their tests could look up their centre and be better prepared for what awaits them.

Feel free to shoot me down if it's a dumb idea.

Anyway, I'll happily get the ball rolling.

I ended up doing two tests, failing the first and passing the second.



The first test was in Tunbridge Wells - I failed here due to my own stupidity rather than a quirk of the route. In fact after getting around with 3 minors I failed within a few hundred yards of getting back to the test centre. but I'm not going to dwell on that.

Tunbridge Wells test centre has a small car park that you start off from. You exit the car park on to a one way street [edit - when I typed this I was sure it was one-way, now I'm less confident]. When exiting, look for traffic from two places - on the road you're joining AND on the side road that runs alongside the test centre and joins the main road just before the gate into the car park.

Tunbridge Wells itself is a fairly easy test location. It's a bit hilly, so make sure you're good with your hill starts. The examiner I had was a nice guy and was pretty understanding when I had traffic issues during my U-turn (whilst I was waiting to do the turn a van pulled up behind me so I couldn't see whether it was safe to pull out). Like I said, I failed because of my own stupidity, rather than the location.

There's dual-carriageway around Tunbridge Wells and you may well end up going on it. The examiner took me on a stretch during my test, for two junctions - I had to pull out at one point to let a car join from the middle junction. I was doing somewhere between 65 and 70 I think.

Remember, when you're re-entering the test centre at the end of the test, don't signal to go up the side road alongside the centre, but wait until you've cleared it before signalling to pull in.



My second test was in Pinner. I passed there with no minors, so I must have had a fairly easy route. Pinner test centre is at the end of a cul-de-sac - the gate is almost up a step so take it slowly and steadily - whilst I was waiting for my test almost every driver doing their test bounced the car up there so violently the examiners were literally hitting the roof.

The estate directly around the test centre in Pinner has some odd junctions with little triangles separating the left/right turns. There is one of these at the end of the cul-de-sac that the centre itself is on, so be careful to pay attention to the road markings and not go the wrong way down one.

The urban nature of Pinner means that there aren't really many stretches of fast road they can take you on. You'll be doing 30 or 40 most of the time. There are couple of short stretches of single-carriageway NSL road and you'll probably go on one of these, but not for long. Keep an eye out for speed limit signs - there are several which are tucked out of the way, either at funny angles or behind tree branches - so look for repeaters in case you miss a limit sign.

As for quirks on the route, I didn't encounter many. There's a left-turn that's just over the brow of a hill and if you're not expecting it you can hit it too fast and take it too wide - so hunt that out during your practicing and get the hang of it. There are also some funny double-roundabouts where you have to pick your lane for the second one before you go over the first. Again, make sure you get some practice on those. As far as my experience of Pinner goes, that's about it.

[snake100]

great idea great post just wish was doing my test there really as it would help me was a good read but im stuck with cambridge lol so has anyone had there test there and like to add there bit as i think arfter reading the frist post it could help me and others thanks
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[Al]

Jupiter Road, Norwich.

Jupiter Road itself and entering/exiting the test centre can throw up a few hazards.
The first being turning right into Jupiter Road from the Ring Road. The traffic light that allows you to turn into the road is activated by a censor on the road. Fine if your on a big bike doing your DAS but not so good if your on a lightweight 125 doing your restricted test, uness your a real fat bastard you won't get picked up by the censor.
Your examiner will be aware of this problem and pull up very close behind you or along side you, just be aware of this and don't be alarmed or turn into him when you move off.

When in Jupiter road take it very easy theirs lots of hazards- entrance to the Seat dealership,entrance to comet,parked cars,learner drivers,ect.
Also worth noting the test centre is not at the end of Jupiter Road like it may seem the road bends round to the left after the test centre entrance(all the road marking have nearly been worn away so its hard to see) I think the place where they do HVG training is round the bend so be carefull and have a good look for traffic round the bend,apparently a fair few people fail here!

When you enter the test centre there is a little bike parking bay just to the right of the gate. Your examiner's bike will probably already be parked there, so back your bike in next to his leaving plenty of room between them.

The routes.
I don't really know all of the test routes but they have two routes that run out to Spixworth , one has a bit more high speed riding which they mainly use for the DAS test.
There is also a city route which ends up going along Silver Road and up Ketts Hill,apparently they don't use this route that often, but it seemed to generally be the toughest one.
The route I took was along the Reepham road, then cut down a few country roads to Drayton and back along the Hellesdon low road. Which was handy as its near where I live

Top be honest theirs not much point in going through every bend and juntion you might take as its all just normal riding. Would be the same in any area. Sometimes there will be hazrads you need to react to, sometimes there won't be.
If you can't ride for 30 mins without making mistakes your either not ready to pass your test or you've been unlucky and the pressure of the test has made you nervous.


After the test.
When you get back to the test centre your examiner will ask you a question on riding and break the news of the out come of your test.
If you've failed take note of what on and leave quietly...........in disgrace,loser

If you've passed but don't think your test is over you still need to impress your examinar with your general coolness and advanced riding skills.

Its your turn to ask the questions now..

I asked if I was at traffic lights and accidently pinned my bike to the red line and dumped the clutch, causing the front wheel to lift for.. say half a mile as I couldn't bring it down again would this be an offence in the eyes of the law.
But you could perhaps go with something about the laws regarding rolling burnouts on motorways

Next is to show your knowledge of motorcycle fashion and disgard that stupid fluorescent bip. Throw it on the floor and spit on it to show maximum disust.
Next pullout your very worn knee sliders and attach them to your leathers, whilst under your breath saying something along the lines of 'time to see what this baby can really do'

Before you leave its best to check if your examinar knows what the currant lap record of the M25 is? or if he has an aplication form for this years IOM TT and what roads is it best to practice on?
In the car park disgard your 'L' plate (over your shoulder works best) some other learner may want them.

But in all seriousness do be careful your be high on adrenaline (possibly drink and drugs aswell if you needed a bit of dutch courage for your test)
But you not invisible........all real bikes know that your only really invisible when you either have a really expensive and colourful pair of race leathers or you ride a certain litre sports bike made by Yamaha in the year of 1998!

note. probably best if you forget most of the second part of my post before your test....i'm just bored...can ya tell
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[J0Al1]

CHELMSFORD - my two bobs worth

My instrustor showed us a map of the known test routs. He also advised which are most likely to be for the 500 bikes and the 125 bikes. We did out U turn practising in one of the most commonly used U turn areas. Any good instrustor should do this, its all about PPP.

Anyone that knows Chelmsford will know the there are lots of big junctions - 3 lane road crossing. BUT, the asessors don't tend to take you towards the town. They tend to take you away form the town to get some national limits in.

There is a golf course that they sometimes to take people around (inc me), its a national but looks more like a dirt track. You have to show that you appreciate the limit and speed up where possible (there is an opportunity). Someone I kow failed for going 20-30mph all the way around.

Duke street (near the test centre) there is a small roundabout, asessors have been know to ask you to go straight over - watch this one as straight over LOOKS like you go into Duke street - but thats NO ENTRY.

Use the bus lanes at non peak times. There is a big roundabout with a filter left lane - remeber to signal despite it being a designated filter lane.

Observe the schools, show the examinor that you have seen them, slow down a touch!

There is one assesor that may ask questions that are NOT on the list of standard DSA questions. My mate got asked how she would change the chain, her reply was to take it to a machanic - he gave her a minor!!! I got asked the min age for a pillion passanger. My instructor has complained about this.

Be extra carefull going into and out of the test centre - there are loads of wallies learnign to drive cars!

[Marci]

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

TEST CENTER LOCATION (IE only)
TEST ROUTES 1
TEST ROUTES 2

It should be noted the instructors like to mix and match the above routes... the regular instructors there are VERY observant of lifesavers. Ensure you nail `em.

Test Center is just off Dual Carriageway. Indicate left to come off dual carriageway, cancel half way up the sliproad, indicate again to turn left onto the Testcenter's road, then immediately indicate right into the car park. REVERSE the bike into the lower parking spot, but put it as far up hill within that spot as possible. When exiting the test center, aim for just left of center of the gateway... out of the center you'll turn left to the end of the road (about 14 feet). If turning left here, get WELL over to the left... if any trucks decide to come up that road if you're anywhere other than well over to the left they'll clip you and have you off.

You want to hope for a TownCenter route here. It's a 20mph limit and very easy going.

Same as above, the TestCenter is generally flooded with car drivers taking their test. Ensure you make it obvious that you are watching out for what they're doing.

On return to the test center on completion of the test, put your bike in the space forwards.

Some of the test routes use roads where the markings are VERY worn... particularly at traffic lights. Keep your eyes out - I went straight across the stopping-line which appeared 20feet before the lights whilst on an instructional day... literally couldn't see it.

The dual carriageway on which the Test Center resides is a 70mph limit, not 60mph. Remember this. You'll get a minor if you go any slower than 65mph on it, and if you take too long to get up to speed you'll get another minor.

If at anypoint you're on a road and are unsure of speed limit... aim for between 30 and 35mph to be on the safe side until you see a sign. Worked for me on my test *shrug*

DON'T head to the test with worn sliders and gaffa'd leathers on... if you do, whack some waterproofs over them to cover `em up. The examiners are notorious for spotting this, presuming you ride like a psycho, and thus being extra-strict on you when it comes to scoring.

I also highly recommend Anchor Motorcycle Training who operate out of Dewsbury Rugby Ground for your training. One of the cheaper in the area, but also one of the best. Adrian Braithwate is a very sympathetic and understanding instructor, and a good laugh. Also makes a fine coffee. All his DAS-level 500's are fitted with heated grips etc and well maintained. He uses the old CB500 for his students, and rides a newer Hornet for himself, fully laden with spares (battery etc) incase needed. He's also very good at giving encouragement... helps keep the confidence up. Google for contact details. 2 n' a half days of training with him is £323 including test fees. You need to have your theory already sorted yourself tho - he won't book theories for you etc.
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[veeeffarr]

Warrington

Pretty easy route, there's 3 possible places for the Uturn but make sure you check the camber of the roads as there is at least one site where the camber makes it harder.

Lots of NSL, and a dual carriageway that's a 40, remember to overtake if there's cars going slower than that as I got a minor for this.

On the A49 there's a massive roundabout that branches into 3 lanes, DO NOT GO IN THE LEFT HAND LANE, you will put yourself on for the motorway, and instantly fail. You will never be asked to go on the motorway for your test.

If you're going into the middle lane be wary of cars on your right who don't know how to join the middle lane and swerve in regardless.

Don't leave your indicators on when coming off of the roundabout going back to the test centre as there is a busy junction just after you exit where a car WILL pull out on your if you leave them on, and that will be a fail.

[Dazbo666]

[six]

What I want to know is, how soon before you take the test do you need to start taking lessons?

I'm only just 16. Can I have lessons now (at 16) and then take my test as near to my 17th as possible? Or can I not have lessons before I'm 17?

Thanks
Tom
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[J0Al1]

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[Itchy]

Failsworth , Chav city,

important things to look out for are:

Chavs , lots of the gits , esp on Saturday tests, some of the language from them would make sailors blush.

The test centre is in a sunken bit of ground and you have to go up a ramp which is steep has an utterly shit
surface ie tarmac which has lots of pot holes and lots of cobbles under neath , don't drink too much water
before hand there is NO toilet in this centre.

Do not park your bike front or tail to the wall opposite the test centre park it parrallel to the Kerb outside
the bookies , which is acceptable, if you do park it facing the wall = an iffy reverse = potential to drop
if you park it tail to the wall = a need to do a U turn to get out on an iffy surface on a steep incline hence
the following point of danger.

Note the surface at the bottom where the test centre is is really worn out tarmac , ie little stones everywhere


My instructor says 1/20 people drop their bikes here and fail instantly.

This is also complicated by the fact that the ramp serves three roads , so wait till it is clear before going onto it,
the top is also complicated due to people parking on the corners at the top , creep forward to see. This can
waste precious minutes of the test.

Other points of interest

The area you start in is a 20mph zone , it is difficult to tell when it changes to a higher limit , as many of
the signs are missing, you can tell by looking at signs down side roads off the main which'll say
20 or 30 indicating it is 30 or 40mph (unfair this by the examiner is easier on this due to this fact).

in the 20mph zone ALL cross roads should be slowed and checked for , there are 4 in each direction to
and from the test centre (ie left and right which both curve behind the centre)

The U turn + Emrg stop + push bike is done on an awful streach of ground , cobbles with patches of
tarmac here and there , and is very narrow such that to U turn you must lock fully and park the bike up
in a push the bike right next to the kerb.

Road surface everywhere is crap , very crap a trailie is highly recommende due to the tons of all the way
across road humps ,

There are many dual carridge ways which have parking on the left , signal out check and sit in the right
lane its wide enough to sit in the left but better to stay out.

there is an iffy staggered junction where you have to shoot out stop in the middle of the road , then turn
again,
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[Stelmer]

Thanks for the Wakefield info.

[Rookie]

Here's the Taunton test route, I'm rather drunk at this time so let's hope it's legible.

I took the same routes for both car a bike tests. The test centre is on a fairly basic minor road just past a Vauxhall dealership. Watch out for fast drivers on the main road, there are plenty who speed along it.

The u-turn is relatively simple, but the road is very cambered, so keep your foot on the rear brake.

You might encounter a traffic calming scheme with a load of zigzags, take these at about 10-15mph, and you'll be fine. On a bike take it very slightly faster, as the small width allows some speed.

I haven't been to Taunton in a while but there's some very poor speed limit signs in a roadworks area, so stay stay sharp. I only passed my car test because the examiner pointed this out to me, which was luckily forgiven. I was going 20 because the sign on the corner said so, but the sign on the corner said 20, apparently it only applied to the corner.

Hope anyone who takes their test in Taunton is helped by this!

[riffmasher]

Anyone got any more info on the Norwich test centre and routes, me and my mate have our DAS test booked for 7th March?

Also, to the mods, can we have this as a sticky?

Ta

Riff
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[JBurrows88]

Bradford, Eccleshill

I booked mine in December and i got cancelled so booked it yesterday and now got till wait till march wtf?

Thats a VERY LONG wait and can't believe that they are fully booked up for 2months.

Oh well, I'm going to learn the test route till its drilled in my head...

No point ringing the dsa as they are as useless as a cock flavoured lollypop!!
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[Tarby777]

I put all the Hyde (Manchester) test routes into Google Earth. If anyone would like them, just send me a PM...

[Tarby777]

[hedjehog]

[Al]

[hedjehog]

[Al]

Don't think I've seen him to be honest, but I don't commute into the city anymore, I remember that a traffic warden used to ride a purple ish CG125 a while back but never saw him writing any tickets either

I'm still upset they got rid of the motorbike parking area above the market, used to like sitting up there with some chips on a sunny afternoon watching all the bikes come and go. The parking bays on St'Giles street just aren't the same.
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