Can you just book a practical test? UPDATE: didn't pass.

[sabian92]

Hey,

Been on a CBT since August, sick of being on loser plates. There's a booking tomorrow morning at a test centre not far from me (about half an hour or so) that's a last minute booking - do I need to have an instructor with me or have taken any lessons?

Only asking because I've done my car test and obviously I used their car for the test, so they hung around the test centre while I went and caused havoc without them

For 15 quid it can't go wrong, surely?

[Tamsin]

you need the appropriate bike, insurance etc and to have passed theory test

[sabian92]

[Rogerborg]

Absolutely no need to have had lessons or to bring a Grown Up. Just do it.

You must bring the following to both modules of the riding test:

your theory test pass certificate (or confirmation) if you’re not exempt from taking the theory test
both parts of your driving licence - the photocard and the paper counterpart
your compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate

The DSA have set themselves up as arbiters of what clothing is safe and what isn't. If you fall off while on test and get a bit hurty, be sure to sue them for failing in the duty of care that they've chosen to accept.

As a general guide the following is an indication of the minimum level of clothing acceptable:

motorcycle boots
sturdy footwear or boots that provide support and ankle protection
textile or leather motorcycle trousers
heavy denim trousers
heavy denim jacket with several layers underneath
textile or leather motorcycle jacket
motorcycle gloves

The following are examples of clothing that are not acceptable:

lightweight training shoes
canvas basket ball trainers
any form of clothing with areas of exposed skin
shell suit or lightweight tracksuit
distressed ripped jeans
lightweight fleece or hoody
no gloves or skiing gloves
____________________
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

[MC]

In terms of gear all they really seem strict about is footwear, so you'll need boots. Jeans, any gloves should be fine. Have you been practicing though? Unless you've been weaving through roadworks, or doing figures of 8 in an indecisive confused manner, the maneuvers can seem pretty alien.
____________________
Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[ficedula]

Even without any practice, though, £15 to get an actual examiner to run you around the course and critique you is going to be cheaper than booking lessons with a school. And you might even pass
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Bike history: YBR125 -> XJ600

[Ste]

I passed with no lessons after being on the road for 6 months. I failed the first two attempts at my test but at £48 a time it was comparable to the cost of a few lessons and even then that would have been no guarantee that I'd have passed first try.

[MC]

Just don't drop the bike taking it off the centre stand, then you will fail
____________________
Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Az]

I won't repeat what everyone has said above, as they're all spot on in my opinion. The next step is to actually book your tests (when you're ready ofc)… https://www.gov.uk/book-practical-driving-test

[Frostdog]

After reading this i think I'll do the same, good shout. I've been on cbt since July and plan on keeping my bike til march next year when I'll move up. Wouldn't mind getting rid of these L plates plus experience of a test can't be bad? What do they look for? I've done a couple thousand miles already
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YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four

[Rogerborg]

If I had to pick one thing, I'd say confidence. Not cockiness, but get up to speed, pick a lane and commit to it, and you'll pass the attitude test.

The DSA has some actual useful videos about module 1. Lifesavers!
____________________
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

[MC]

Mod 1: shoulder checks, complete all maneuvers without knocking any cones over or putting your foot down.

Mod 2: again shoulder checks, cancelling indicators, don't give them a reason to think your gonna be a danger to yourself or other road users. They know your gonna be a bit nervous, keep riding safely even if you think you've cocked up. Don't filter unless your boss and/or asked to by the examiner.
____________________
Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Frostdog]

Helpful tips there, I've booked in for Tuesday so will get out practicing the slow stuff. I take it if all goes well I then book in again for mod 2 and the practical ride? Then I have the A1 licence and can ditch the Ls?

Good luck to OP if you are still going for it
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YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four

[CyrilSwan]

This helped me do it:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=262478url

I bought some cheap cones, set up a mock mod1 track, spaced the cones out tighter than they do in the actual test and practised.
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Current: Honda 2015 MSX125.
Previous: Honda 2012 CBF125.

[Ste]

MC, they won't ask someone to filter in the test.

[Frostdog]

Cheers michu > great link
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YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four

[CyrilSwan]

[Frostdog]

So is filtering an absolute nono in test? Ie he was asking you a trick question or was it just down to your disgression?
____________________
YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four

[CyrilSwan]

AFAIK you can filter but it makes it easier to fail as more things can go wrong.
____________________
Current: Honda 2015 MSX125.
Previous: Honda 2012 CBF125.

[wr6133]

[Frostdog]

Good call. Why make life difficult. Sorry OP for hijacking thread
____________________
YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four

[DrSnoosnoo]

[MC]

[Frostdog]

Still alive 😁 just....

I guess it's doing things by the book. Gonna pay more attention next few days to lifesavers and trying to factor in the slow stuff, U turn etc into commute. 🍺
____________________
YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four

[Northern Monkey]

I passed my test on my 125 and got an a1 licence. It made me more confident about then sitting the full a test 2 months later.

It's probably a potato way of going about things but it worked for me. No raised eyebrows or questions when I turned up on my xt125r for both mod1 and 2