Not sure whether to do restricted test or full test

[5212justin]

Hi there I am looking to do my bike test. I am unsure whether to do the restricted test or full test, I am 26 years old so i know i can do a full test if i wanted to. How much cheaper would it be to just do the restricted course? I'm not bothered about jumping straight onto a big bike as i just want something nice to learn on before i get something bigger. Also is the restricted test any easier than the full test or are they exactly the same? Bike suggesting would be helpful also as which one would be nice to learn on. I am thinking gsxr 400 vfr400 any other 400cc that you could recommend? i like the look of the Ducati monster would that be in the restricted class? Or could it be? Thank you for the help

[bikertomm]

Do your full test.

That way you won't need to do another one..

And can progress however you like
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[pepperami]

Do the full test and then if you want to ride a bike with less than maximum power you still can
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[SQL]

full test is same price mate. just more powerful bike.

[5212justin]

Yes i know the best option is to do the full test but i am trying to decide if to or not. I don't think i will ever get a very powerful bike, I just wanted something smaller to start with. So is the restricted cheaper and easier? Thanks

[5212justin]

Ok thank you. Might as well just do the big test if it is the same price.

[Blau Zedong]

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The end.
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[daemonoid]

[5212justin]

Thanks for the help everyone. What would you say is a nice easy bike to ride? Anyone have any good things to say about the monster? Are the 400's any good?

[Wonko The Sane]

I did the old restricted test on my own 125 to save money as I didn't have to hire a bike from the riding school.

had I not had my own bike I'd probably have done my DA (I'm 29, did my test in October just gone)

As other people have said, it's the same test, just a bigger bike (so a bit more power to manage but you'll be taught to do that and a bit more weight in the bike, but you'll be taught to cope)

The only thing you'll struggle with after doing your DA (full test) is a 125 Honda CG will feel like a kids pushbike!

You won't have to worry about fitting restrictors or anything like that, if you want to get a 500cc 28bhp Enfield you can, if you want a ZZR 600, you don't have to spend a month attempting to fit the restrictors (I speak from experience)

The only thing that will sway your decision is speaking to a couple of training centres and seeing what their prices are.

[Rogerborg]

[SQL]

do the full licence you have no need to buy a big bike, for all it matters do full test and buy a honda jog lol

[Az]

same training, same price... just different bikes u train on and get tested on.

You can just do your full test and then u can ride a 50cc ped if u want, basically u can ride any bike u want when u have ur full test.

[Teflon-Mike]

There is only one 'test', comes in two parts, Mod 1 'off-road' round cones stuff, Mod 2 'On Road' round teh houses and up the by-pass; after the Theory (for bikes).

This has not changed for umpety years; however the testing 'schemes' have.

Last year, you could turn up and do the tests on your own 125, that you could ride on L-Plates, and you were awarded an A>25 'restricted' licence, limiting you to a 33bhp bike for two years, after which you could ride whatever you wanted.

Then you had DAS, which meant turning up to do same tests, same prices, on a 'big-bike', usually meaning you had to do a course, as little other way to practice on a big bike; but pass on it, and you got teh full fat unrestricted licence straight off.

There was also the 125 only licence; which few bothered with; same tests again, but done on a bike under 120cc, and granted you a licence to ride nothing more than a 125cc learner-legal.

Now; THIS YEAR, we still have the same 'sort' of testing scheme; three tests; Theory (for Bikes) Mod 1 off-road, Mod 2 On Road; same price regardless what you test on. BUT.

Three schemes:-

A1: Test on 120-125cc machine - get A1, 125 only licence. No automatic upgrade at some future date, that's it. 125 for ever, or until doing another test on a bigger bike.

A2: Test on a bike, I think over 395cc, and withing about 7 or 8bhp of upper A2 licence limit of 45bhp. You have to be over 19, to do it, and like DAS of old, you cant ride an A2 bike, except under-supervision of approved instructor, so usually means a DAS style course to get practice, training & tests in. Pass you get an 45bhp A2 'restricted' licence... for ever, or until passing another test.

A3: Test on bike over I think 595cc and specified power. You have to be over 24 to do it (or have held A2 for two years). DAS provisions in force; you can only ride such a bike prior to passing under instruction, so usually means do a course. Pass and you get full unrestricted, ride what you like A-group licence.

HENCE the TESTS are the same price no matter what licence you want to go for.

I think its still £32 for the Bike Theory; £15.50 for the Mod 1 off-road, and £75 for Mod 2 off-road.... but you have to provide a bike to do the tests on, and one that matches the test-scheme for licence you want at the end.

If you dont have ANY bike, and are going to use a school for training and to provide bike for test...... then chances are, that the difference in course cost for doing an A1 training course on a school provided 125, as oposed to the same course for A2 on school provided A2 bike or like-wise same training on school provided DAS bike, is likely to be bugger all, give or take a few farts. Most of the cost will be the instructor time and overheads; you are unlikely to get a huge discount for using smaller machine, if any.

If you want.... you can still test on your own bike, or one that is borrowed or hired.

A1 125 test, obviousely pretty easy, you can ride that legally before test on L's to get it and you to test center. A2 or DAS bike may be a bit more awkward... and of course you cant legally ride it to get any practice in before test unless you do a course and are under approved instruction.... but thoeretically, you could, as long as you can get insurance, and get bike to test centre go do test on one, without training.... just rather more awkward, and rather reduced chances.

So... if you were pondering the idea that a 'restricted' licence could be done on a 125, still... sorry, but no it cant.

If you thought that A2 training courses might for some reason be any less comprehensive or cheaper than DAS, again, almost certainly not.

So, if you are going to have to do a course, you might as well go for full unrestricted A via DAS if old enough.

Its a FULL bike licence, at the end of the day, not a BIG bike licence, no one says you HAVE to go out and get a bike at least 599cc withing the week or they will take it off you! You can ride a 125 as easily on a Full A as you could on a provisional... so choose bike that suits you.
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[SQL]

Ya'll just got teffed.

[-LG-]

[C1REX]

It doesn't make any sense to do A2 when it's the same price as DAS.
A2 is for younger riders only who can't wait.
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[5212justin]

Thanks for all the help people. Definitely going to do the full test. Just going to have to save up as it's not cheap! Thanks again!

[5212justin]

Thanks for all the help people. Definitely going to do the full test. Just going to have to save up as it's not cheap! Thanks again!

[smiler999]

just do the full test better to have it and not want it than to retest further down the line for a larger machine