practical test nerves

[Rufus]

what's a good way to calm nerves? i get extremely agitated and it may affect my riding.

also, what are things which people commonly fail on whilst doing their practical?

thanks.
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CG125 > ZX6r > GSX600F > CB250n + ZX7R+ Bandit 1200

[Wise1]

Ok, let me go make a coffee and when I return I will explain all the parts of the test, what to expect and what you will need to do.
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Rufus]

[Wise1]

ok, lets split this down to make it easier.

To start with

The examiner will want to see

Licence - paper & Photo card or your passport if you dont have photo card licence.
CBT Certificate
Theory Pass certificate
Insurance certificate - if using your own bike

He will then kit you up with radio

Before you go out on the road

He will do the show me, tell me questions.

Makes sure you know these https://www.dsa.gov.uk/General.asp?id=211

On the Road part 1

The initial ride will be quite short, so prep yourself not to make silly mistakes as this is when your nerves at their worst. The reason it will be quite short is because they tend to do the uturn and e-stop early on.

Be aware that he may ask you more than once to stop and pull off, this is normal. Usually he will just ask you to pull up on the left at a safe point and once you have stopped he will ask you to move off. I have covered this in more detail below.

U-turn and E-stop

You will pull into a street and he will ask you to pull up on the left turn off the engine and get off the bike and he will explain what he wants you to do.

First he will ask that you wheel the bike around in a uturn and stop at the other side of the road. What he is looking for is strong observation skills, look ahead and behind before you move and as your moving across the road. Exagerate your observation, dont just make a quick look. Dont turn the ignition or lights on when walking the bike.

Once at the other side he wont prompt you, just get on the bike, start it and prepare for your uturn. Take your time.

Give yourself about 15-20 feet before starting the turn, dont try and cram it all in to a few feet. Before you move look ahead and behind, make it obvious your using your mirrors and shoulder check.

Just before you start the turn, make a very obvious right lifesaver then smoothly round. Dont take the chance of getting round on just throttle, slip the clutch, revs up and cover the back brake, you should only need to use the back brake to control the speed round, but you have the clutch and throttle to adjust the power should you need it.

Once round come to a stop and wait for more instructions. Remember its a U turn not a J turn. You should try and come to stop at about the same place you started from but on the other side obviously.

For the E-stop he will probably ask you to do a circuit around the block, he will step out and raise his hand when he wants you to stop, dont stop when he walks out.

If you go around the block use the opportunity to do a quick e-stop out of sight if you can and its safe, then go around to the street where he is.

Dont rush it, I did 20 mph, he did not state what I needed to do and it as fine, so dont hammer it up to 30mph.

As you approach and he raises his hand >

Off the throttle
Ease the front on
Apply the back but not heavily
More front until your giving it some pressure
clutch in at the very last minute to prevent locking the back wheel

As soon as you stop right and left shoulder check the paddle the bike into the side of the road and into neutral. Dont sit in the middle of the road trying to find 1st to ride over. And dont come down the gears when your doing the excercise, brakes only.

On the road part 2 & Tips

Ok after the excercises its all down to your riding.

You will go up and down many streets, junctions, bends, lights roundabouts, and maybe even onto expressways or dual carriageways.

I cant say what you will be doing exactly but its all about observing the highway code, planning ahead and doing it right.

Planning ahead is very important, always be looking ahead to see whats coming, junctions, lights, crossings and be thinking what your going to do.

When your coming up to lights and they are already at green what are you going to do? Keep going or slow down a bit. If tey change quickly to red do you have enough time to stop safely or do you risk going through a red? Thats where planning will help, always look ahead to get an idea if they just went to green or have been there a while, that will tell you what you need to do.

When he asks you to pull in on the left again plan your stop, is it safe? is there a junction on the other side, if so move forward a bit. When he asks you to pull away make clear forward and rear observations before you pull off and signal before you move.

When your asked to turn right from a major road into a minor, nice clear right lifesaver before you turn.

Always remember to switch the indicators off. If the examiner asks you to turn off your indicator the test is over.

When your moving along the road, every 5-10 seconds make it clear your checking your mirrors, both of them. Dont forget.

When coming to lights and your turning right plan carefully, especially when there is a yellow box on the road. Stay behind the white line unless your absolutely sure you can make the turn before the lights go to red, if your the only one waiting to turn your will be fine, however if your behind 3 cars you will deifantely want to wait until the next green light unless the road ahead on the other side is clear enough for you all to get through. Do not get caught on the box when the lights turn to red or its over.

Watch your road position, centre of the lane all the way, dominate your lane at all times, dont let anyone bully you or try and cut you up.

In terms of road position there is likely to be a right hand bend or similiar with parked cars on one side so the road space is limited and you wont be able to see around the bend. In this case move as far left of centre as you safely can so that you can see as far around the corner as possible.

When your on the right turn to the roundabout make sure you move to the outside lane, indicate, left lifesaver coming on, another going around to the exit, left indicator once you pass the last exit and off you go.

On the mini roundabout indicate your intention when coming up to it if required, but dont worry about indicating coming off if you cant as its accepted there is simply not enough time in most cases.

Speed. Make progress, dont break the limit, if its a 40 dont be doing 20 unless you have good reason.

Be Aware of pedestrians and other road users, a simple touch of the brake will make the examiner aware you have noted the hazard.


Keep it smooth all the way and make progress. Once the uturn and e-stop are out of the way your nerves will not be as bad.

When you get back to the test centre he will ask you a question about carrying passengers then tell you if you passed.

Hope that helps.
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Rufus]

you should post that in a new thread and get it stickied, awesome advice

thank you very much
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CG125 > ZX6r > GSX600F > CB250n + ZX7R+ Bandit 1200

[Wise1]

No problem, always like to get people through it first time

It is really not that bad, the nerves just make it exciting
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[nasty]

One question, may sound daft but what side of the bike do you have to be on to do the walking u-turn?
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ZX6R F3

[Wise1]

The left side. You cant control the bike properly if your on the right doing a right turn. Think about it and you will understand why, best not try it though so you dont have to pick your bike up
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[nasty]

[Wise1]

Try it with then with your own bike just be careful you will likely drop the bike, you will on a bigger one which you will be on for the test.

Imagine, your wheeling it round on the right, you get to the other side of the road and stop. Now what you going to do? Are you going to get on the bike from that position on the right when the bike is on a camber in the road, you will drop it.

What if you need the stand? where is it? On the left!
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[nasty]

[Cigaro]

[K0rnIsAFAGGOT]

Don't go through an amber light.
I failed even though i had 2 seconds to the stop line on a 40mph road.

[lozzypop1]

At roundabouts/junctions, Don't wait for the instructor, if you've got time to go... GO. Ride for yourself, not for him.

If you get too far ahead, the instructor will ask you to pull over when it's safe to do so and wait for him.
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Funny, I used to hate being spanked as a child!
Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

[Louise]

I must be one of the worse people to suffer with nerves when I approach something new.
On my test date I had around 2-3 hours to waste (and waste almost £80 because I wasnt riding)
As I got to the test center I met the guy taking me out.
I tried to crack a joke, and it didnt go that well - Got the shakes, on the bike questions I stumbled.
But once on the road it felt natural - Ride like you would normally, it went really well - passed first time.
Hardest part for me would be the 'U Turn'
Ive known a few people who failed on this. Just take a few breaths and go for it.
Put it this way, If a clumsy git like me can pass, im sure you can too

[Rustle]

I have a question! Ok, you realise that you are in the wrong lane ie. on a roundabout or junction - I know that it will definatly give you a major if you try to cut into the correct lane but if you continue in the lane your in and go a different way than originally told will that mean you get a minor? (Anyone who understands what I'm on about gets a medal! )

By the way: Good Luck Rufus!
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Test Passed 29/01/09 - Restriction Ends - 29/01/11

[lozzypop1]

[Louise]

You are correct

OH did her test around a month ago - she was told to turn 'left into the next junction' She didnt and carried on. She didnt get a minor.
after all its instructions and not on you ablilty to ride.

[blindside666]

Brilliant advise there Wisenerl. Thats helping me alot as well.

Manual turns, do it from the left side. It may make logical sense to do it from the right hand side but trust me it is alot easier from the left, go out and do it from both sides and tell me what happens =P Left is correct way.

Yep, I took the wrong exit off a roundabout by accident and as we came off I tapped my earpiece and he pulled over, I said I'd misheard him, which I did cos it broke up on me =S Didn't get any marks for it though =)
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[Rustle]

Phew - that's the only thing that has been worrying me - I'm pretty good at reading the road but if I'm nervous on the day who know atleast I won't be thinking that I've failed just because I missed a turn!
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Test Passed 29/01/09 - Restriction Ends - 29/01/11

[lozzypop1]

[Wise1]

If you get into the wrong lane and dont have time to move to the correct one for the turn continue in the direction of that lane.

At worst he will simply turn your around and get you back on the right road.

You should not get a minor for going the wrong way unless your doing it all the time.

As said, its your riding he is testing not your ability to listen to instructions.
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Moonie]

Lots of Jack Daniels.

You may not pass, but you won't be nervous
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Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile

[muzz]

As an Ex ADI (cars)...... If you misunderstand the instruction, carry on safely and correctly. You will NOT receive any negative marks, for the direction taken, unless it is unsafe, or against traffic signs etc. I.E " Take the next right", you take the next left correctly = No minor mark... "Take the next right" you turn left into a no entry = Major fault..."Take the next right" you turn left with incorrectly timed signals or road position = minor fault/s. Hope this is clear and helps.
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Ride Safe 'N' Free

[Rufus]