Anyone else done their UK test recently?
......
So I did day one of my 'Direct Access' course today, and have been fortunate enough to find a school where the instructors are qualified to train you on your own bike, rather than using the school's generic Japanese 500cc jobbies.. So while the Triumph looks a little bizarre with 'L' plates fitted front and back, its been great to be actually out and about and enjoying her :-)
For the benefit of our US cousins, the UK bike test has become a very complex set of procedures.. A simple summary is:
For learners, If you're aged 16 - 50cc bike only, restricted to 30mph. No other option.
For learners, If you're aged 17 - up to a 125cc bike, also with a restricted power output, but most will hit 60-65mph.
For all learners, regardless of age, you have to complete a CBT (compulsory basic training) day before you can turn a wheel on the road. This is a mixed full day of classroom, off-road and on-road training, instructor led with earpieces etc, which has to be completed and passed before you can obtain insurance (ins companies now ask for the CBT pass info before issuing cover.) It also is only valid for two years - if you dont pass your test in that time, you have to complete it again, every two years.
If you're aged 17 - 21, you can take your bike test on a 125cc bike, which if you pass then entitles you to ride a larger bike (albeit restricted to less than 33BHp) for the next two years. No other option. After those two years though you can then take the conventional test and ride larger (derestricted) bikes.
If you're over 21 - then you do 'Direct Access'
For Direct Access you need to have completed a CBT, and have already passed the motorcycle 'Theory' test ( Computer based, 50 multiple choice questions, followed by a whole bunch of hazard perception videos, one of which will have 2 hazards, the rest only one - you have to 'nail' these..)
If you've done those things, then the Direct Access training and tests have to be carried out on a bike with a reasonable power output (typical 500 is fine), but as you cant legally ride that size as a learner then the whole thing has to be under supervision from an instructor - so hi vis jackets, radio earpieces, the works.. Thats where I am now.
The test itself is in two parts - module 1 and module 2 - the first of which is tested off-road and covers all the 'control' elements.. so it includes emergency stop, U turns, slalom, low speed figure of eights (x2), a controversial hazard avoidance (come out of a corner, accelerate to about 35mph (its speed trapped, you cant go slower) then swerve around some other cones and come to a halt back on the right with your front wheel in a specific place) and a bunch of other stuff.. Module 2 is a more conventional 'on road' driving test similar to a car driving test.
typically, CBT= 1 day, theory test = 1 hour, Direct Access = 4 days supervised training plus however long the two tests take. CBT typically costs £125, Theory about £50, Direct Access about £595 :-(
You gotta complete, and pass, all of it..
All of my long-term biker friends and colleagues tell me they don't think they would pass it now, which aint encouraging!
I'm enjoying it, it was great doing day 1 of the Direct Access today - with a minor issue... the turning circle of a Bonneville America turns out to be only about 9" less than the allotted space to complete the U turn on the test, whereas the school bikes have a couple of feet plus to spare.. so its somewhat marginal and is taking some practice!!
As soon as I pass there will be a ceremonial burning of the 'L' plates :-)
This is taking some commitment - but is gonna be SO worth it!
Ben
