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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
Joined: 06 Mar 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 11:48 - 06 Mar 2018 Post subject: Last Rode a Bike when 14 years old |
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Hi all
I am 49 years young and I've decided it's time I bought a motorbike. Thing is, I know next to nothing about it all. The last time I sat on a motorbike was when I was about 14 years old, and I haven't touched one since. As a result, I have a few questions I was hoping someone could answer for me, please.
My first question, I passed my car (manual) test on the 9th February 2001 so I missed some date by 9 days which means I need to do my CBT. Not sure though if I need to apply for a Provisional motorbike licence. I think I do but I'm not sure. I'm not sure because, on my drivers' licence (the pink card), it says under Category that I am allowed to drive 'B' (cars) and 'B1' (3 or 4 wheeled light vehicles). But on the green counterpart paper driving licence, under Category, it says 'A' ("Any size motorcycle with or without a sidecar"), BE ("Cars with trailers"), and GH, which I think is road rollers and tracked vehicles.
I found the above information on the DVLA Drivers Licence booklet which you can check out here (scroll down a little):
www.gov.uk/government/publications/ins57p-information-on-driving-licences
My second question is about the motorcycle theory/hazard & perception test. Is this the same as the standard car theory/hazard & perception test or is it different?
My third question, after my CBT and assuming I pass the theory/hazard & perception exam, I will want to take the DAS. I know they supply 600cc bikes to take the test on, but I don't have a motorbike and money is a bit scarce at the moment so I can't afford to buy one (second hand). The DAS is £540 but does that include a number of lessons over a period of days (like you get with the standard car lessons) wherein I can gain experience on the bigger bikes or is it a one-day practical exam?
Thanks all and sorry for the bombardment of questions ____________________ Late to the party, but you only live once |
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 12:39 - 06 Mar 2018 Post subject: Re: Last Rode a Bike when 14 years old |
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You've probably got provisional A on your licence, but being the DVLA, I'd check. This is the point of truth: https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
As above, the theory test is pretty much the same as for cars, with a scant handful of bike specific questions thrown in. You can fail all of them and still pass the test, by logic that only a bureaucrat could follow.
The tricky part is the hazard perception. You'll find yourself clicking sooner than you're expected to because it's aimed at actual novice drivers. It's definitely worthwhile getting some sort of up to date app or practice tests and just hammering through the hazard perception clips to learn where you're supposed to spot the hazards. Just treat it as a game.
"DAS" doesn't really mean anything, beyond that you're doing direct rather than graduated access to full A. The tests themselves are well specified and if you look on YouTube you'll find some actually useful DVSA videos covering both module 1 and module 2 tests.
Don't fret about them, they're not hard and module 1 has been made a bit easier in recent years. It's easy to fail on a silly foot down or missed cone, but there's nothing inherently difficult in it.
Training is entirely a matter between yourself and your chosen training school or instructor. Cost, length, what's covered, that's all negotiable.
What I would say is don't commit to anything until you've done the CBT, and assess the instructor while you're being assessed. The standard of instruction is all over the place - you don't want to give your hard earned to some shouty wazzock who stops for a smoke break every ten minutes.
The whole licensing process is a bit of a slog, but it's absolutely worth it when you're all done. Biking is just ace, I'm so glad I got into it. ____________________ 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 |
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Evil Hans |
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Evil Hans World Chat Champion
Joined: 08 Nov 2015 Karma :
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Posted: 12:41 - 06 Mar 2018 Post subject: Re: Last Rode a Bike when 14 years old |
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Chris-J wrote: | My first question, I passed my car (manual) test on the 9th February 2001 so I missed some date by 9 days which means I need to do my CBT.
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Note that even if you'd passed before that date, you'd still need a CBT to ride anything over 50cc.
Chris-J wrote: |
I know they supply 600cc bikes to take the test on, but I don't have a motorbike and money is a bit scarce at the moment so I can't afford to buy one (second hand). The DAS is £540 but does that include a number of lessons over a period of days (like you get with the standard car lessons) wherein I can gain experience on the bigger bikes or is it a one-day practical exam? |
You seem to be confused there, DAS just means going straight to a full A licence. The A test costs nothing like that much, and doesn't include the bike.
The bike hire arrangements, lesson scheduling etc depends entirely on what you can arrange with your local trainer. They will frequently book the tests for you but there is no nationally accepted "scheme" which dictates exactly what you get for your money.
Rock up to your local training school and see what they have to offer.
I'm was in a similar situation to you, last rode when I was about 19 and took it up again in my 40s.
I had 1.5 days solid training then my MOD 1 test, followed a few weeks later by a day and a bit then my MOD 2. Cost me about £500 all-in including tests and bike hire, but I already had a CBT.
Edit: Roger got there first, and answered so much better than me ____________________ Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red. |
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Freddyfruitba... |
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Freddyfruitba... World Chat Champion
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 14:47 - 06 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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Chris-J wrote: | So, assuming I pass my CBT |
Slight nitpick, it's not pass/fail, it's continue until you reach the required standard.
Since it's done by private sector instructors though, it's their definition of standard, and again, the quality of instruction varies. Don't just throw money at the nearest training school, check our their facilities and instructors.
And don't assume it's a 1-day course. It's as long as you need. Ask about the costs of subequent days or half-days.
Chris-J wrote: | what exactly would I have to do to be able to ride any sized bike? I thought it was, pass a DAS (where you used hired bikes), but it seems this isn't the case. |
It is, but it's three tests:
Motorcycle theory
Module 1 offroad
Module 2 on road.
Booked and competed in that order.
Technically you don't need to do any training between the CBT and the tests, but it's not really practical to get your own 595cc+ 40kW+ bike and practice on it yourself, at least not legally.
So the vast majority of people end up going via a training school, both for training and to get access to one of their bikes for the tests. Typically they'll also book the test for you, or rather give you one of their pre-booked slots.
I'll stress that the training component is entirely between you and your chosen instructor. Shop around, see what you're getting for your money and if possible get personal recommendations from local riders who have been through it recently. Cost in extra days if you need them, and the cost of re-doing the tests. ____________________ 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 |
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
Joined: 06 Mar 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 18:57 - 06 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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Brilliant.
Thank you Rogerborg ____________________ Late to the party, but you only live once |
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
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Posted: 20:15 - 06 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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I have nothing to add, everything regarding the tests has been said except 'get on and do it'. You've wasted 32 years of possible motorcycling, don't waste anymore. ____________________ Triumph Trophy Launch Edition |
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 09:13 - 07 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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The hazard perception is identical. You'll want motorcycle specific practice test questions and answers, as some of the questions are bike specific.
Oh, and sadly just knowing the highway code isn't sufficient as there are questions that it doesn't cover. I got one on first aid, and then was shown a tram sign. No, it wasn't asking what to look out for on a motorcycle when you see this sign (tram tracks), I was required to identify the ecomental advantages of trams. ____________________ 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 |
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rpsmith79 |
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rpsmith79 World Chat Champion
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M.C |
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rpsmith79 |
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rpsmith79 World Chat Champion
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Posted: 09:57 - 07 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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M.C wrote: | Chris-J wrote: | Do I need to buy a motorcycle specific highway code to practice for the theory test and motorcycle specific software to practice the hazard & perception test, or will the standard (vehicle/car) one do? |
I did zero revision for the multiple choice questions, got one wrong on the car theory, got three wrong on the bike theory.
Hazard perception I nearly failed the first time (one mark less and I would have) and didn't do a lot better on the second occasion, so I'd focus on that assuming you have an ok knowledge of road signs etc., you should as a car driver but I know drivers who have failed the motorcycle theory |
I failed my motorcycle theory last year, 20 years after passing my car theory test 1st time
But as Roger pointed out, it's the silly non driver related questions that got me, questions about Toucan crossings (has anyone ever seen a toucan crossing) and first aid questions that got me
Oddly though, i found the hazard perception easy, i would have aced it had i not clicked too many times on one of the videos 1st time round, scored top marks in all but 1 video ____________________ Current Bike: Honda CG125 ES4 // Honda CB600FS Hornet // Triumph Street Triple R |
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M.C |
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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Posted: 10:13 - 07 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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Thanks all for the advice and link
I tried a few practice h&p last night and it's so hit and miss
I found you can either click too early or too late. ____________________ Late to the party, but you only live once |
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
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Posted: 10:16 - 07 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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rpsmith79 |
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rpsmith79 World Chat Champion
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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Freddyfruitba... |
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Freddyfruitba... World Chat Champion
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M.C |
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Posted: 13:00 - 07 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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Chris-J |
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Chris-J Derestricted Danger
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Posted: 19:24 - 07 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
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Stupid Question Alert
When in first gear and you want to shift up into second gear, how do you make sure you hit second and not neutral, do you feel for two clicks or is there some other technique?
Can you tell it's been 35 years since I last sat on a bike? ____________________ Late to the party, but you only live once |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 52 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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