Getting past your bike test
Check into the nitty
gritty of the CBT. |
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| Never
too old to learn … by Donetta Lancaster from
Portsmouth. 2004 |
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So here I
am, after 17 years of wanting a motorbike and finally I have
one. At 17 I told my mum I wanted a bike. She said no, and
back then, what mum said, went. She and my grandparents went
on and bought me driving lessons and I went on to pass my
driving test. That was fourteen years ago. My riding a bike
ambition was forgotten … for a while.
At 33, my biking enthusiasm was re-kindled. A friend of mine
who has a Triumph Trophy 1200 took me on his bike and I fell
in love all over again. I decided after much thought to do
my CBT to see if I would like being on two wheels by myself.
Result? I DID! |
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The
CBT
Compulsory Bike Training consists of several parts and mine
cost £99 including bike hire and up to 10 hours of instruction.
It is not a test although you are issued a certificate which
is valid (currently) for 2 years. You will need this to take
your full bike test. More on that later.
Firstly and importantly, the theory of the highway code, important
things to remember: safety; equipment and the standards; restrictions;
what to expect during the CBT; what to do in the event of
emergencies; types of crossings; line markings, etc. Even
after 14 years of driving, I picked up several new changes
to the Highway Code, and realised that maybe it was a good
thing that I was doing the CBT. Note to self: get new
Highway Code every five years – changing legislation
means the Code changes!
The in house training was conducted in a classroom type of
environment. I was glad that I was with another “mature”
student. He was sitting his CBT after a long stint away from
bikes, and he too found he had not kept up with the Highway
Code changes either. I felt better knowing this! |
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CBT
On-the Road Training
Then to the bikes. Heart goes in mouth… hope I don’t
fall off, drop the bike, etc.
The instruction from Andy at 1st
ADT (based in Portsmouth, Southampton, Crawley and Brighton)
was superb. He explained the basics of the bike (I was learning
on a Honda CG125, apparently well used bike for schools):
the gears, throttle, front brakes, rear brakes, indicators,
lights and the stands. By now my brain was aching! I didn’t
know before the CBT the gearing system of any bikes, and looking
back I can’t believe just how easy it was. I was made
to feel at ease, with no pressure.
Here we go – Getting on the bike! Earpieces in, all
in good working order, I can hear Andy, good for him, he can't
hear me!
Round we go in 1st gear, then the opposite way, figures of
eight, up to second gear… so far so good. Now junctions!
All went quite well. We were then asked if we felt confident
enough to go on the roads… Pardon? You asked if WE felt
safe??? Do the other road users know we are coming? Andy did
say earlier on in the classroom that he would only ask us
to go on the roads if he felt that we would not be a danger
to others. I felt elated, nervous, exited and like a teenager
all over again. I’m going off onto the open roads!
Junctions, corners, up to 40mph (YIPPEE!) roundabouts, lights…
you name it, we did it. We even went up one of the worst roads
in Portsmouth for pot-holes, banding and repairs to show how
much of an effect the road can have on handling.
We got back to the classroom safe and sound and in one piece.
I was doing virtual cartwheels! I loved every minute of it
and couldn’t wait to do my course leading to the test.
I had my Certificate of completion of the CBT in my hand.
Now to decide which test to do! |
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DAS
vs Restricted
As I am over 21 (just… ahem) I can do either test, depending
on what I want to get at the end of the test. The question
is do I want to be able to ride 125’s for two years
then have the restriction lifted automatically, or just go
straight in and do the Direct Access course on a bike of more
than 33bhp (500cc) and be able to ride any bike (subject to
insurance of course!). I didn’t have to think for very
long. DAS was the way to go. I have booked a four day intensive
course with the test on a Friday (cost of bike and test fee
included). The cost of the DAS course in my case is £450.
Depending on where you live, it can be around £350,
to £600. Shop around, and ask if there are any special
deals at different times of the year!
FI
International supply restrictor kits for those taking
the Light Motorcycle Test. |
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The
Theory Test
To do your bike test – irrespective of which test you
will do, you will need to complete the Theory Test with Hazard
Perception. It consists of two parts and the bad news is that
if you fail one part, you fail the whole test and would have
to re-sit the whole thing again including the one part you
passed!
When you get to the Test Centre, you have to book in (allow
15 mins before your test time for this). Don’t forget
your photo licence and your confirmation of booking form.
This will tell you everything you need to know.
The Multiple Choice part of the test is easy – PROVIDING
you have done your homework!
It consists of 35 multiple choice questions that you answer
by touching the computer screen. That was the easy bit. As
for the Hazard Perception clips? Well, I could lie and say
it was fool-proof, but I won’t. I hated it, and thought
it was pointless. The idea is that you press a mouse button
every time you see a hazard approaching. OK, I know, it should
demonstrate your ability to read the road. I’ve been
doing that for 14 years! The HP part of the test is ideally
for the true learners amongst us. I was hitting the button
far too early, as I saw the hazard, and I got getting low
scores even though the hazard was right! I did still pass
though, and I make my comments to one of the officials who
replied that she agreed with me, and admitted that the system
was undergoing a major revamp because of this! I also asked
her if I had failed the HP and therefore the whole Theory
part of the test, did it mean I was a liability on the road,
and therefore have my Car Licence revoked? She smiled and
shrugged her shoulders. In my opinion, there should be an
adjudicator present and you should point out the hazards to
a person, who can then make the relevant notes. Much fairer
me thinks!
Anyway, I passed and
that for me was the main thing! |
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Tip:
If you have a PC, get a two part CD called Driving Test Theory
Success by Focus (£9.99). It includes an additional
Hazard Perception CD giving you plenty of practice on getting
the hazards right. It includes many more clips than the Roadsense
Hazard Perception CD from DSA! Other books to get: Highway
code (£1.49), and quite a large book but invaluable:
The Official Theory Test for Motorcyclists (£11.99).
News
8th July 2004: Donetta has passed her test!
A report is coming soon. |
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Donetta
with her 1st bike! |
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