Single test may be coming, but no earlier than Winter 2012

[Rogerborg]

Based on the Motorcycle Test Review Seminar Q&As held on 6th July 2011. Note that it took the DfT 5 months just to publish these notes, that's the kind of geological timescales they operate on.

Highlights:
The DfT and Mike "the bike" Penning want to make bike tests more accessible. The limited number of mod 1 sites is a problem, as is the cost of buying new ones or maintaining the current ones. They'd like to move to a single on-road test, but (reading not far between the lines) "Safety Nazi says 'NEIN!'"

They have confirmed again that the swerve test and the slalom are mandatory components of the 2nd Driving License Directive and cannot be removed from the test, even if it's done on a public road.

The DSA are apparently already using "casual" and VOSA sites - anyone actually seen this in practice?

"The timetable presented at the seminar suggested bringing in the new manoeuvres and a single event test during Winter 2012/13 [...] Winter 2012/13 is the earliest possible time for implementation of the new test"

Oh, right, just before the 3rd Directive kicks in. Fraking genius. I can't see it happening by then, and in any case...

"depending on how long it takes to identify suitable sites [to perform on-road tests] in every test location in all parts of the country, might take until 2015, as the date at which the transition to on-road testing in all areas is complete."

It might be completely kyboshed anyway since the DfT hadn't even considered that most insurance policies now exclude "road trials" riding, which seems pretty much like what they're proposing doing on the public roads.

Oh, this looks interesting:

"Under current legislation the module 1 must be passed before module 2 can be taken however we are considering trialling taking the two modules back to back"

So, turn up, pass Mod 1, then immediately do Mod 2 rather than having to book it at a later date. Sounds bleedin' obvious for confident riders who have to pay bike hire costs and travel a good distance.

"Using [Approved Training Body - i.e. CBT instructors] as delegated examiners for the slow manoeuvres is an option that we will consider."

So, get the slow stuff out of the way during the CBT. That could cover slalom, slow ride, and U-turn. Brilliant!

Something that we've often noted is that you can pass the CBT and ride solo without a theory pass. Bonkers, right? Their response:

"The Learning to Ride project is considering various changes to the CBT syllabus. Whilst we do not currently plan to require new riders to pass their full theory and hazard perception test before completing CBT, one proposal is to introduce a basic theory test to CBT, this should ensure new riders have proved to their trainers that they understand the rules of the road before they venture out on to the public road for the first time."

HOLY BALLS, A 3RD DIRECTIVE QUESTION!

"3DLD will come into effect from January 2013. There is no likelihood of derogation. However, the EU Commission has indicated that a tolerance for the cylinder capacity (2% to 5%) might be permitted. The EU Committee is due to meet in September and we hope this issue will be resolved then. "

i.e. a 598 or 599cc bike might be allowed for the "600cc" minimum A class test. Huzzah for common sense. I'd hope that even if they don't secure this, that DSA examiners will see "600" on the side of the bike and not ask any questions about the actual cylinder capacity.

Oh goody, a working link to the 2010 3rd Directive consultation response.

And now a word from our sponsors, MCI:

"MCI is aware that at present, the motorcycle testing regime appears overly burdensome and complicated and that uncertainty about proposed changes is adding to customer fears. Customer confidence is easily damaged by a lack of communication/ actual knowledge of future proposals.  Just knowing that the test is changing but not how, is not ideal and will do nothing to reduce customer concerns."

Well, duh.


tl;dr version - the DfT/DSA is thinking about a lot of changes to improve the test (and access to it), but doesn't seem to have actually done anything. Plus ça change, eh?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Knot600RR]

What do you mean by a 'casual' site?

[Rogerborg]

I don't mean anything by it, that's why I "quoted" it. I hadn't heard of anyone sitting mod 1 except at a proper DSA site, I'm not sure what or where these "casual" sites are, or how they're different from a purpose build Safety Nazi approved DSA test site with a controlled surface, slight slope, no cambers or drains.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Knot600RR]

Silverstone has a Module 1 site, it's in one of their car parks, so I doubt it was purpose built for the DSA, I suspect this must be one of the 'casual' sites they refer to.

[Rogerborg]

Thanks; Informative . The more the merrier.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Shielder]

Macclesfield Mod 1 site is a casual site. It's in the rugby club car park.

It's even listed in the DSA website as casual.

They do Mod 1's on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays I think (but I could be completely wrong on that).
____________________
CBT - 22/10/08 & 30/5/11, Theory - 13/06/11, Mod 1 - 26/9/11, Mod 2 - 29/9/11
'00 Suzuki Intruder VL 125 (06/06/09 - now)

[The Spin Doctor]

Kassam Stadium, Oxford is also used for Mod 1.
____________________
"Force has no place where there is need of skill" Herodotus 450BC

[waffles]

Adding some basic theory stuff to CBT? They already ask you a couple of questions so something more in depth will be an excellent idea and hopefully prevent some of those knobs on peds/125's who make illegal manouvers and give everyone else the finger.

Shame that the common sense ideas are only just starting to be used
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Rogerborg]

I've never really understood why a theory pass isn't a pre-requisite to validate your provisional for any vehicle. I mean, you're on the road, you're in control of the vehicle and you're at your riskiest (having no experience) - to mitigate that, you should really have some idea of roadcraft.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[mysterious_rider]

Well I'm going to guess the test is only going to get more difficult? Already done my theory, got enough road experience, and need to redo my cbt which takes place saturday. Hopefully I'll pass my test before any new laws come in. Got £465 stashed away for my training and mod1. I'll probably get paid again before the mod2 so another good £200 can go towards it...

The waiting times though.


Hope they dont make it too difficult for bikers in the near future, if you have to take those tests back to back it will turn expensive if you fail.

[Rogerborg]

The current lot of clowns in the DfT are headed up by Mike Penning, who's actually a pretty sensible chap (read: not a career politician).

While at Ministerial level they do seem to want to make access to biking easier, I get the feeling that the Sir Humphreys are digging in their heels.

Bear in mind that the May 2001 changes to Mod 1 were actually helpful and well thought through, so I'm trying not to get too cynical.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[The Spin Doctor]

[Rogerborg]

I'm now genuinely concerned that the delay in publishing our 3rd Directive implementation is that some Brusselcrat has pointed out that there's no room in there for solo provisional L plate riding.

Now pushing 10 months late in publication...
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike