Stuck in a catch 22.

[Hokum]

I took my Mod 1 last year on a 500cc, but due to the wife not working, I ran out of funds and couldn't take my Mod2.

Now I'm still short of funds (I have a disabled son and my wife still looks after him), but my Theory test/CBT runs out next April I'm starting to feel like I'm running out of time.


Should I go and take the Mod 2 on a 500 and get an A2 or should I have to retake my Mod 1 on a larger bike.

I know the Mod 1 is cheap but I get terribly nervous under test conditions and I'd be worried about ballsing it up and wasting money.

Thoughts?
____________________
Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.

[esullivan]

The answer depends on quite a bit: how old are you? What are you riding now? What will you do if you pass your test? Are you going to have to renew your CBT anyway because you commute on the bike?
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[Hokum]

[esullivan]

[Hokum]

[esullivan]

[esullivan]

Actually, sorry , I may be wrong about having to retake the theory test. The PDF is ambiguous. See the last slide, which I think applies to you? As usual, it's very confusing. If you are 21-23, and have an A2 license for more than 2 years, it clearly says no theory required -- straight to practical test. If you are over 24, what is a "valid" theory pass certificate, then? Oy.
____________________
Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[ficedula]

If you've got an A2 license, and you want to upgrade to full A license, then:

-Held your A2 less than 2 years and under 24? You can't upgrade yet.
-Held your A2 less than 2 years but you've now turned 24? You can go for a full A license, but you still need a theory certificate
-Held your A2 for 2 years or more? You can go for an A license and you don't need to retake theory.

[pbt]

Becuase you are over 24, although you took your mod 1 on a 500, is counted as a cat A pass. So, you have to take your mod 2 on a 600cc A cat machine.

[Rogerborg]

Yup. That's my understanding. You have a "Big Bike" aka "DAS" aka category A mod 1 pass.

Have a look at your pass certificate. Does it say diddly about the bike that you took it on? It could have been a Hayabusa. Significantly, the only common old "A" test bike that's also a new "A2" test bike was the GS500 - all of the other 500s are neither fish nor fowl.

If you go and sit mod 2 on a 595cc+ bike making 40kW+ now, you'll should get a full category A license.

Don't take our word for it though, ask the DSA. You may be pleasantly surprised for once.
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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

[pbt]

https://www.gov.uk/motorcycle-practical-test/rules-for-mopeds-and-motorcycles-used-in-the-practical-riding-test

[Dave70]

You could just up sticks and move to the Isle of Man, do your on road bike test (no mod 1 & mod 2 palaver) at 17 years of age on a 125 and then go out and ride any size bike you want, as it's probably easier than trying to figure out some of the UK's new rules. Seriously, reading and trying to understand those regs makes my head hurt.

[ficedula]

That's actually an interesting question (although not so relevant to OP) - what are the rules for who can take a test in the IoM? Because if I were 19, looking at getting a full license, the costs in the UK aren't cheap (CBT, theory, DAS course + mod1 + mod2, mod1 + mod2 + possible bike hire again 2 years later to upgrade to A...)

If it were possible to visit another country for a week to do training + test and get a full license - that's still recognised in the UK - it'd probably be cheaper, and you'd not have the hassle of upgrading from A2->A.
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Bike history: YBR125 -> XJ600

[Hokum]

I'll have to check what it says.
____________________
Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.