failed my test.. gutted

davidp · L Plate Warrior Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Karma :

I took my test several times about 7 years ago and stopped trying!

COuldn't leave bikes alone so bought a Honda CBR 125 last Nov and passed my cbt and theory... Test day on the road... all goes perfect and I came to a set of lights (kinglynn) with a part time filter to turn right... I didn't know it was part time and sat there like a muppet... Failed (only thing on my card)... Seriously gutted... Got to find another afternoon off work and £80... Sad

david...

LimehouseCBF · Nova Slayer Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Karma :

tutton · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Karma :

LimehouseCBF · Nova Slayer Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Karma :

davidp · L Plate Warrior Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Karma :

I've booked my retest for the end of Feb.... I've written down all the instructor said and going to practice religiously... I think I'll drive up to Kings Lynn and spend a couple of hours driving round to get to know the place better.... So want to get my l plates off!
david Thumbs Up

LimehouseCBF · Nova Slayer Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Karma :

shellywoozle · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Karma :

Awww mate sorry to hear you failed, but at least it was on a minor glithc and not due to your riding capabilities. You can be simply more alert next time, if your riding wasn't up to scratch then you'd be in trouble.

Good luck for your next test, all best riders pass 2nd time round Wink

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Hardaker · Derestricted Danger Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Karma :

I agree with Limehouse mate ! A test centre will only ever use a certain amount of set routes! If you can learn them as best as possible and be aware of things they will try catch you out with (stop signs, different lights etc) the better chance you will have. You will also know what is coming up, at roundabouts know which lane to be in upon the approach and leave your mind more free to concentrate on other road users.

That ! and try and stay calm and treat it like a normal ride out !

s44678 · Guest

Chin up, get it re-booked ASAP. And yeah, as everyone says, try to learn the routes and work out all the sneaky bits they could take you on. My instructor was excellent at this, he knew the routes and we went over all the possible points for failure.

Could be worse; the guy who lives up the road from me binned it on his test a couple of weeks ago. Locked up the front wheel on the emergency stop and slid down the road. Carried on with the test though to his credit even though it was a blatant fail (fail as in the correct use of the word, not in the internet meme way).

steppen22 · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Karma :

You should be thankful to fail on something which is easy to correct.

Someone else failed on the same grounds before xmas.

In the sense that, you either wait or you go. There's no skill involved, just understanding of the road rules.

It would be different if you racked up countless minors/majors on road positioning, road awareness, hesistation - then you'd know that your fundamental riding style was at fault.

I failed first time for late indication. Again, like your error, it's something easy to correct: just indicate earlier. Doesn't require any extra training, etc, just an understanding of what's expected.

I recommend you practise 2-3 times a week, just go out riding unfamiliar roads as though it was your test. Don't go overboard 40mins - 1hr is enough. Make sure you know what you're doing though: get the haynes learning to ride manual and read it back to front, you doing all of that?

Find a compact route and take it slowly, over and over, making sure you get an observation routine down pat - to the point you do it without thinking. I did this. Eg turning right: check mirrors, indicate, wait four-5 seconds, lifesaver over right shoulder, position to the right. If necessary, a second life saver before you turn.

Being aware of the roates is good, but don't try to "master" these routes - you'll find (like I do, and others do) that it can actually be a disadvantage to know a route too well. You get sloppy and complacent with obs etc becuase you know "that road is safe" whereas the examier expects you to ride as though you didn't. if it's an unfamilair road, you *don't* know whether it's safe, so you should really be doing your lifesavers, etc, by default.

The test standard is actually not that high. (Don't take that the wrong way: I failed too, and was very miserable and moody until I finally passed). All you need to do, is ride safely for 30-40mins, there's no effort to catch you out. I found it helped to remember that you've passed until you've failed. With other exams - school, etc - you've failed until you've passed. You're not having to prove your skills, etc, only show that you aren't a danger. All you need to do isride well for 5 minutes, then five more - and before you know it, it's over and you've passed.

Also, get all the gear on - not racnig leathers, go ott with back protector etc, clean your bike, new l plates, have your own hi viz ready, etc. You wont pass just becuase you look like you take your safety seriously, but psychological, you will influence the examiner if you look sensible and mature. Put it like this: if two riders rode identical, each with a make or break minor, but one trider was in t shirt, trainers, swore a lot, had a loud can, etc, and the other was hi vizzed up, polite etc, who would you pass?The hi viz guy, 'cos subconsciously you're thinking, "he learn and get even safer - he's not just faking it for the test but really cares for his own safety". Examiners shouldn't think that way, but they are human, not robots, and will be influenced by things like that.
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