Passing an A1 (light motorcycle) licence without training?

[lincsrider]

Hi, I've been riding for nearly a year as a learner and want to ditch my L plates. I'm happy on a 125cc for now as 90% of my riding is in 30-50MPH zones, and cannot afford hundreds in training fees that riding a bigger bike requires . . .

So, has anyone here managed to pass an A1 first time without additional training? What should I expect, and what is an examiner expecting of me?

[NJD]

[Rogerborg]

You may get a bit of attitude from DVSA Derek about not having had any instruction beyond the CBT. I didn't, others have. Ignore it, you're perfectly entitled to have a go. Plenty of us did it.

DVSA have some decent videos on the tests:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf8qoQ5d3rA

Mod 1 is not a hard test, you're more likely to fail by over-thinking it. Just turn up and do what you're asked and you'll pass.

The only technically tricky bit might be getting up to the required 48kph for the swerve and stop tests. Round the bend in 2nd gear as quick as you can, peg the throttle all the way to the speed trap then roll off. Don't go for 3rd unless you've got reason to believe that your bike will struggle to make 48kph (30mph) in 2nd. My Chinese fake-away managed it, although I had gone up 2 teeth on the front sprocket.


Mod 2, I failed first time by missing the 3rd set of unmarked crossroads that the examiner took me through. My bad, I was too focussed on why his Pan Euro was sitting right up my arse. Not an excuse, just a note to focus on what's in front of you, not what the examiner is doing. At some points he might ride very close, just ignore it. If you get lucky, you'll have one following in a car. I had that 2nd time around and found it much easier.

Slow and careful into junctions and roundabouts, confident and quick out. Get up to the posted speed sharpish. Use bus lanes if you're allowed to and it seems appropriate. It doesn't really matter where you go on the independent riding section, it's not a navigation test. If you find yourself in the "wrong" lane at a junction or roundabout, just commit to it, don't make a last minute correction. Forget filtering, time stuck in traffic is time when you can't be failed. Big obvious lifesavers in both tests - pretend that the mod 1 pad is a road.

Sounds like a lot, but really, don't stress. It's just riding a bike, you can do that.
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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

[lincsrider]

[Teflon-Mike]

If you have been a 'Learner' riding a 125 on L's for a year, and haven't learned to ride yet... you probably shouldn't be on the road!

Theory = £31
Mod 1 = £15
Mod 2 = £75
If you self book. Nail them 1st time, its a 'once and forever CBT' that never needs repeating and lets you use motorways and carry pillions, for the cost of one CBT 'repeat'

Mod 2 on-road 'practical' is a half hour road ride round town, probably little different to your daily commute; ALL you have to do to pass is ride it, like you do every day and a) not fall off, b) not break any road laws, c) not hurt any-one or put them in danger. d) answer a couple of questions about carrying a pillion and checking the oil or stuff. Oh.. and make sure you have all the requisite paperwork to show the fella before you turn up.

Mod 1 off-road 'practical'.. manual handling, cones maneuvers, swerve & e-stop. Its basically CBT stuff. How much do you remember? Most common 'problem' with this one is probably just the 'role play' nature; being expected to do shoulder checks when the only person within 50 feet is going to be the chap with the clip-board, and fretting over getting up to speed to do an 'emergency' stop.. you know you will have to do weeks in advance!

Theory... well 'mostly' highway code you OUGHT to know.. shouldn't be a problem. Probably takes a bit of boning-up for the googlie Q's on first aid, enviro-mental PCness and obscure road crossings, and signs and stuff; but shouldn't be a big deal.

Hazard Perception... is a lottery. If you are of the generation that grew up with under chin lighting devices, playing 'snake' or 'flappy birds' and shit, and when some-one says COD you think of American Marines not something you have with chips... you stand a better chance than I, or any-one with more than five years road experience does.... to whom the 'hazards' are so bludy obvious, you either don't 'click' cos you don't consciously 'deal' with them as a hazard, or you click so damned early, it don't register!

All in? Shouldn't be too hard to pass without lessons; plenty of folk have done it. Theory/Hazard is the annoying one, 'cos of that 'lottery factor' in the Haz-pep, and its twice the cost of the Mod 1. ~Just has to be 'done'. Mod 1? Well, its only £15, and once you have your theory, what the heck. If you don't pass, Clipboard fella tells you what you did wrong; re-book, don't do it next time. & Mod 2? JUST doing what you are every day now, with chap with clip-board following you. Trick is to JUST do what you do now and not try to put on a 'show' and do what you think he thinks you should, not what you do! Yeah... speeding with abandon, reckless filtering, and stuff PROBABLY wont win you any brownie points.. but just ride it as you would 'sensibly'.. and again; IF you fail, he'll tell you what to put right next time; but you stand better than even chance.

All in? Stop Thinking - Start Riding Testing! Don't sweat the small stuff, just get on with it.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[NJD]

[ADAMH0]

If you are definitely happy with the 125 and going to stick with it for a while then you might as well try the tests and if you pass your A1, you will never have to do a theory test or CBT again.

For the theory, the apps available for around £3 are great and have hazard perception video clips and around 800 practice questions. Revise using these and you will be fully prepared and the test will seem fairly easy.

You can download the layout of the MOD 1 test area so try to measure this out in a car park and have a practice all the manoeuvres. It will make you feel more confident and highlight any parts that you need to practice on.

As you have been riding for a year, I guess you still have a year left to run on your CBT so, no need to rush everything, spread the costs and prepare fully for each step.

[Rogerborg]

[Wednesday Biker]

I did it on a 125 years back.
Didn't have any training for mod 1 but just looked at all the mod 1 youtube vids instead.
I passed but its tricky without seeing the course first hand.I struggled getting to speed on the swerve and generally wobbled about because of nerves.
But I scraped through.

Mod 2 I had a 2 hour lesson with a local trainer just to see if I was doing it right.I was mostly but it ironed out a few faults.

Its doable.

[ADAMH0]

Please ignore my

[lincsrider]

[NJD]

[lincsrider]

[Matt B]

Sigh...

You need to move your foot back away from the rear brake when not using it. An examiner will not like to see your foot near it during normal riding.

As for slow speed work - lightly dragging the rear brake is the recommended method of keeping the bike stable and tightening turns and you should be slipping the clutch too. You should, for instance, be dragging the rear brake on the u-turn. Engine braking during slow speed work will probably lead to you dumping the bike.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Rogerborg]

Eh. Don't worry about Mike, his heart is a rage filled pineapple.

[Val]

[Matt B]

[Taught2BCauti...]

You don't need to learn to ride in order to pass the test - you need to learn how to pass the test

Now that you know what the basic fees are, go back to where you did your CBT, and ask if they have a facility where you can practice the MOD1 course, and see what they charge for this, and get a quote for doing the test on a school bike.

Then you could ask for a quote for an assessed ride before going for your Mod 2, and again, the cost of doing that test on a school bike.

Creates a better impression at the test centre, if you believe it will make a difference.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[mauzo]

[Wednesday Biker]

Youtube's been around years now :p