Triumphrat

MotoZiggy · 03-02-2008, 04:01 PM

Anybody taken the new UK rider test...or course...orwhat ever. I LOVE Brit bike magazines, and im reading all these stories about how freaked out UK riders are about taking the new test. It doesn't sound much different that the MSF Basic Riders Course here in the US. You guys are usually so far ahead of us when it comes to safety, supprised to see this just coming along now. Anybody taken the new test? How hard is it? And exactly how does your licensing work. In the US we only have 2 classes (in most states). Motorcycle Learners Permit, and a Motorcycle License (which is unrestricted). Is you licensing for cars similar to your moto licenses?

I know that was alot to ask people to comment on!

StreetT675 · 03-02-2008, 04:45 PM

Hi Moto,

Not sure about the new test and what is defferant but up until the new test came out in the UK other than Mopeds to learn to ride you had to be 17 complete and pass a compulsary basic training (CBT) this had to be taken before taking to the road and is a test around obsticles on a private area usually a school yard. Then a 1 hour ride with an istructor following in radio contact. If deamed to meet an acceptable standard you are then allowed to ride a 125cc bike on the road.
Then to take your full Bike licence you take a highway code and observation test then can take your full bike test. If you take this on 125 you are restricted for 2 year to limited break of I think 34bhp. If you are over 21 you can take a Direct access test and take your test on a bike above i think over 50bhp and then have an unrestricted licenece. As I said I don't know what they have changed but it was quite stringent before.

Navy Chief · 03-02-2008, 06:13 PM

This could be long winded but do not want to put you to sleep. I took my bike test in the states in 1980 in Virginia. A written exam then on the bike for a few minutes. Took my bike test in the UK in 2006. A very drawn out procedure, a computer based multiple guess test with a added 15 video clip find the hazard test. Also the 6 hour CBT, The CBT was indoctrination to the bike, then 3 hours in a paddock area practising all required moves, emergency stop, turns, U-turn, riding and pushing. Then at least a 2 hour on the road with a one way radio to your helmet telling you what to do and when. If successful most are , you then can start riding supervied by an instructor a 500cc to take direct access test if over 21. Also you can take your written after your CBT so you can ride around for two years with an L plates but not having done the theary. The strange ting over here is the theory or written is relatively new. Back before the nineties there was no written portion. Bottom line it is expensive and drawn out and every step cost money.

Dayoldgitona · 03-03-2008, 11:32 AM

All so different from the one I took in '76.

'Drive up the road and keep turning right, you won't be able to see me but I'll be able to see you. When you get back onto this road you'll see me waving, pull over and I'll tell you what to do next'

got round the 1st corner and blasted round the rest of the course cos unless he could see through bricks & mortar there was no way he could see me.

Next instruction was to keep doing that until he jumped into the road when I was to perform an emergency stop

Last part was 3 questions on the highway code

I think the new one you're talking about requires an off road session including emergency avoidance and manouvering the bike on foot e.g. reversing between 2 cones or something similar.

The more important legislation is the license itself coming from the EU which will make it a much more lengthy and expensive process to obtain a full license.

barneys · 03-03-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayoldgitona

All so different from the one I took in '76.

'Drive up the road and keep turning right, you won't be able to see me but I'll be able to see you. When you get back onto this road you'll see me waving, pull over and I'll tell you what to do next'

got round the 1st corner and blasted round the rest of the course cos unless he could see through bricks & mortar there was no way he could see me.

Next instruction was to keep doing that until he jumped into the road when I was to perform an emergency stop

Last part was 3 questions on the highway code

I think the new one you're talking about requires an off road session including emergency avoidance and manouvering the bike on foot e.g. reversing between 2 cones or something similar.

The more important legislation is the license itself coming from the EU which will make it a much more lengthy and expensive process to obtain a full license.

LOL Your so right with the test as it was in the 70's. I took my test in 1971 on a Honda 50cc semi-auto bike which i passed which gave me a full licence to drive any bike (no cc limit)!!! OK I was sensible I worked up gradually to a 500cc bike over the years but I could have stepped on a 1000cc bike straight away,

Pickle Jim · 03-03-2008, 02:59 PM

The biggest problem which everyone is getting upset about with the new test will be the reduction in the number of test centres.
The new hazard avoidance part also known as brake and swerve must be done at I think a minimum 31mph this involves a large coned area and limits test centres to those which have a large off road setup which most don't, the other new part of the test as well as the coned route is the parking and reverse manuevering / pushing.

I might add I took the old ride around while the examiner looks from behind a tree test and I know he couldn't see me most of the time because I stalled at the lights and couldn't get it restarted till the lights turned red again, when he asked me why I was so long I just blamed the traffic and said a lorry had blocked the junction while turning.