Questions concerning A2 licence....

[RomanMotard]

Hi guys, i just brought my theory cd, will be going through it this week and probably book my theory test next week, i have been riding for 5 years now from 15 years old, however all those years i was riding scooters, got my first 125 geared bike 2 years ago, have a lot of experience and feel very confident with my bike, so i would like your views on me doing a2 without having practice lessons, okey maybe for mod2, have at least 2hr of practice just to go through the routes? Do i book my practical through direct gov? would they let me choose test centres? is it the same as booking driving test? and would the test centres i choose let me do the test without having any practice lessons with them? Your answers will be much appreciated... By the way i am located at west london/north west, so if anyone could recommend some decent test centres in these locations please do leave a comment!

[J.M.]

If it boosts your confidence, I first hopped on my own 125 (after already doing my CBT) at the very beginning of April. In September (of the same year) I passed my Theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2 all first try. Didn't take lessons for any of them. Mod 2 was also on roads that I had never travelled on before. Well, the independent riding part was going back to the test centre which just so happened to be the way I went to the test centre (practically,) which was fortunate!

There's nothing stopping you taking lessons if you feel you want or need them. Likewise there is nothing saying that you do need lessons.

Book your theory and practicals all through Direct Gov, and yes you can choose your test centre and yes it is very similar to booking your driving test.
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Rogerborg]

[RePT]

£121.50 budget, always.

You dont need lessons mate, were naturals!

[Richtea]

Similar situation to you.

I rode a scooter for 7 years but at the end of last year got a Varadero 125. Having ridden it for a couple of months I'm now fairly confident about doing my test. The years you've spent on 2 wheels will put you in good stead.

I treated my CBT as a lesson, the slow speed stuff was similar to Mod1 and the on road part showed what the examiner will be looking for on the road. I figure that for the cost of further training I could probably afford to fail the tests a couple of times each, and still be better off financially,

Cheers,
Rich
____________________
2005 Honda Varadero 125xl > 2005 GS500F > 2007 DRZ400 SM > 600 Bandit & Yamaha YP250

[Teflon-Mike]

[mike_wall15]

Research online, youtube, maybe buy a book, and totally possible.
Just turn up on the day with no research - probably a fail.

I guess it depends on what type of person you are

Mike

[RomanMotard]

WoW, thanks for all your replies, read all of them, you did boost my confidence even more! And yes i have looked at all of the vids on youtube about mod1 and mod2 so i know what to expect. The other thing is yes im going to go for it without any lessons, and see what happens, i mean it will save me loads of money and help with my other purchase if i pass! So hopefully everything will be fine, and i will probably look around the test centers and see if they match my requirements in terms of the location! And yes my little pride and joy Honda cbf 125 is on the list of A2! lol

Thanks Again!


Roman

[harscot]

[biker58]

I had bikes before doing MOD 1 and 2. done schoolboy motox and had moped and RD 125 on the road when I was 17/18 (10 years ago) I still wanted to do a course through a training school so I could get used to doing the manouveres and the road riding under 'test conditions' and to test standard. It just reminded me of things that I would have forgotten and not done on my test otherwise.

No harm in having lessons at a school even just for peace of mind no matter how confident you are. Spending a few extra will be worth it if you pass first time, you don't want to be kicking yourself for failing because you weren't up to scratch.

Best of luck either way.
____________________
1995 Suzuki GSX600F rider

[Rogerborg]

[biker58]

[Rogerborg]

[biker58]

I think we are singing from different song sheets, if he is fully confident, been riding for a good while then he could still benefit from a couple of lessons. Would shed any bad habits and show precisely what is expected for the tests.

Just my opinion, and that's what I'd do. Will have to agree to disagree as I don't see any advantages to not having a couple of lessons other than saving money.
____________________
1995 Suzuki GSX600F rider

[Rogerborg]

[biker58]

[st3v3]

[st3v3]

[mysterious_rider]

Just book yourself in for a couple of days training. I did, was worth the money.

[mike_wall15]

Well I guess it comes down to money really...

It's certainly possible to pass without training, so you don't have to worry about a '1% pass rate'.

I first thought about the MOD1, and the fact it was only £15. You can spend £15 on anything nowadays, it's nothing. SO I went along to try the MOD1 with nothing to lose really...

[Rogerborg]

[Recluso]

I don't think there's anything particularly wasteful about opting for lessons, nor anything lost by NOT having lessons before your tests. It's all about how confident, you as a rider, feel regarding your capacity to complete the tasks that you are going to be expected to carry out.

Print out the layouts for the Mod 1 test and spend a couple of hours over a weekend or two in an empty carpark doing the manouveres.

If after you spend some time practising you have no doubts WHATSOEVER about your ability, then sure, why not try a test without training? Chances are it wouldn't harm and if you feel that comfortable in your capcity, you'd probably have a damn good shot at passing. However, my personal stance is that if you have any doubts or any uncertainties that you're doing it to a 'test requires standard' then I would personally see about getting a little bit of training. Yes, it might cost a bit more in the end, but it could be the difference between a pass and a fail.
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[biker58]

[Rogerborg]

[biker58]