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New Motorcycle Test to be Introduced |
If you are a motorcycle rider, you are probably already aware of the fact that starting next year in 2008 it will be a bit more difficult for you to obtain your motorcycle driving license. The reason why is that the Great Britain government has ascertained that the requirements for being able to operate a motorcycle must be raised, and in response to this they have implemented a new motorcycle training test.
Starting next year all potential motorcycle driving license holders must pass the new and improved motorcycle training test to be eligible for that license. Requirements are stricter, and there will be people who will be turned down for their motorcycle license simply because they do not meet the ability and eligibility requirements.
The new motorcycle training test follows more stringent requirements than the old one; for example, the potential licensee must undergo a series of examinations that consists of two halves.
The first half of the new motorcycle training test is not conducted on the main roads for safety purposes. This ensures that nobody who lacks the proper motorcycle operating skills endangers the safety and lives of common motorists that are on the road trying to get to work in time, just for a pupil to undergo a driving examination. This first portion of the test is a great deal like some of the regular driving license practical portions, with cones marking off the manoeuvres that must be taken to pass that portion of the exam.
Needless to say, if the applicant fails to demonstrate a proper ability to drive a motorcycle during this first portion of the motorcycle training test they will not be allowed to proceed to the next portion of the exam.
The second half of the new motorcycle training test in the UK consists of safely operating a motorcycle on the public roads and expressways with other cars, other motorcyclists, and even moped drivers and a load of pedestrians on the road with you as well. This is the applicant's chance to demonstrate their knowledge of traffic laws in the UK as pertaining to motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers.
Both portions of the new motorcycle training test must be passed to the satisfaction of the exam proctor for the person's application for a motorcycle driving license in Great Britain will be even considered; if any part of their competency as a motorcycle driver is questionable in the slightest bit, the individual will not be issued a license.
Article written by James Johnson (CBT)
This entry was posted on Friday, April 27th, 2007 and is filed under Motorcycle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
A good idea in my opinion. We need more stringent tests before any one is let loose on the roads with a motorbike these days.
It’s just a way to squeeze more money out of the already poor who can’t afford to buy a car.
You have a good point Barry but you have to admit that some motorcyclists are crazy drivers and we do need stricter tests.
Its not the motorcyclists that need more training it that all car drivers should have taining on observation when driving their cars. they never look properly when driving around, i have a car and motorcycle and due to riding a motorcycle for a number of years you check at every junction and see the hazards earlier then some one how as never been on a motorcycle.
I agree with barry and phil on this one. Yes it is a way to squeeze more money out of the public i.e stealth tax anyone? But it is car drivers that need more training or make the age limit 21 before you can drive. Some younger drivers get all excited soon as they pass and thrape their cars everywhere and no consideration or safety for other road users. My friend has a powerful sports bike (can’t remember name of it) and had boy racers in a honda civic up his backside following him around for like an hour because they wanted to race him etc. It come to a point where the car nearly knocked him off completely! In the end my friend zoomed off and left him for dust so that was the end of it. So if the tests on bikes are going to be more stricter then surely car tests should be also?
The extra test how ever hard it is will make no difference what so ever, It is just a way of making extra money from the already over charged vehicle driver ,anyone can pass a test even if it is hard ,
what is needed is for the riders and drivers to to drive better when there test is passed,
And that will not come from making the test harder and charging more ,it will only serve to make people
ride without a licence ,and they will then not even obtain insurance ,
The answer is the person who takes you on your cbt and spends more time with you like approx 5 days
and knows how you drive should be the one who gives you your licence not some Instructor who spends approx 35 minutes with you basicly knows nothing of the person you are or how you drive ,
And how nervouse some perfectly good drivers are when taking a 35 minuite test,
another problem is when taking your cbt you have to do a u turn in the road without your foot touching the floor try this with a 1500 cc suzuki intruder or similar it cannot be done the whole setup is a joke
john
I truly wish we here in California had some of the restrictions that you have in England. Too many of our bike riders are killed on the roads. Nearly every week I read of another one dying. My husband rides and is a good rider today, but it is only with the grace of God that we both made it past our teens and early twenties. It is important and our duty to impress on our young ones the gravity and seriousness of riding these very fast and powerful machines.
I have to disagree with John Mayoh, unless the road is physically too narrow for the bike to turn in it on full lock you should be able to do it. If you can’t you need to improve your basic bike handling skills and that is what the new test is all about.
I joined a fun slow handling competition 18 months ago, to make things fair everyone had to ride the machine supplied which was a huge Harley D with leather panniers etc. but a low seat height. Within a few minutes most people could do a full lock slalom and a walking pace full lock U-turn.
If you can’t do it get some advanced training. IAM or Rospa offer courses in the UK.
+1 Jennifer
http://www.iam.org.uk/eshop/membershipshop/sfl.htm
http://www.rospa.com/drivertraining/courses/advanced_tests/motorcycle_scooter.htm
Tell them you have difficulty with slow manoeuvring.
i have a 1500 cc intruder and i am telling you that the lock on it will not turn in the road where you do your u turn the lock does not allow it , why dont you get a 1500cc and try it for yourself the testy is usually a 600cc which is easy but as soon as they pass there test they can drive anything just stupid idea ,and like i said there is no way a test inspector can tell how you ride a bike by following you for app 35 minutes ,
let the instructor pass you after 5 days with him he will know if you are suitable to be on the road alone with a full licence ,the law needs badly to change and quick
john
( @ John Mayoh ) - I would have thought that the full lock circle on motorcycles would be similar to what we have on cars so when you say just get a 1500 cc and try doing a full lock, wouldn’t that depend on the make and model of the 1500cc Motorcycle. In some cars, you can do a 3 point turn in a flash whereas in others it takes you an eternity.
John, you are wrong. You have misunderstood the test and your dogmatism and ignorance is unhelpful.
The UK motorcycle test requires a U turn. First the student has to walk the bike around in the road in a semi circle, with all appropriate safety checks and without hitting the curb. This is to demonstrate control but also to show that the bike is capable of turning between the curbs on full lock. If this cannot be achieved, then the examiner must find a wider road in which it can be achieved. (In practice, examiners pick roads that are amply wide).
If the bike can be walked around between the kerbstones, then it can be ridden around. If the rider is unable to do this, then further training is needed.
Clearly a large bike may require a wider road, but the above principle of control still applies equally.
The test is never on a 600cc bike. The maximum cc is for the direct access test and is on a 500cc bike.
It is not the responsibility of the examiner, as you say, to “tell you how to ride a bike”. The examiner assesses your bike handling skills, safety, progress, adherence to speed limits and so on, by closely observing the pupil and issuing instructions by radio. It is up to the training instructors to tell you how to ride a bike, and hopefully they will have done this prior to the test!
Regadrs
AJB
.
Hi The new motorcycle test will not save lives by riding around a car park for 8 mins.
It’s changing the attitude of the rider saves lives. As a trainer i will be 20% worse off with traviling of 100 miles a day to get to the test centre and back.
How can this make the plannet cleaner.
P.s I am not the only trainer.
Kind regards,
Rob Reed.
I agree with Rob.
It will be a hassle to oversee and there will be a lot more bureaucracy surrounding the licensing process, however if it makes people take Biking more seriously, so much the better.
There are plenty of people out there, like myself, who are maturely capable of handling a machine, but there are also a lot of people who aren’t. The current CBT system alone allows people to get out on the road and do whatever they fancy without too much trouble, and I frequently find aggressive riders taking daft risks with their L plates on, particularly delivery people for whom riding is a means to an end and perhaps nothing more. It is the attitude of the rider that saves lives, as Rob says. Working harder and earning the privelage to ride should surely help this?
Rgds,
Vics
im not looking forward to this new test. I know ive got to do it so i guess ive just gotta grin and bear it. But, if the test is say 35mins long, how am i supposed to “Practice Riding”? if i cannot handle a bike in the first 35mins, how many 35min tests do i have to do so i can Practice? If its just a case of turn up, “no you cant ride round cones because youve never riden before, go home”, how the hell is anyone supposed to pass? I should be ok, because I already have my CBT. but still. Im not used to “big bikes”. And my concern is for other people mainly. I dont see a problem with the current test system. Ahwell…..
Loki
I really want to ride a motorcycle. I’m proud of what I own (C70 T5) but am being forced into getting rid as costs are getting silly, I fear this new test is not going to get us anywhere as most of the idiots already have a licence.
It’s just gonna affect the normal peeps imo.
License only has an “s” it in when used as a verb. As a noun it is spelled “licence”
Professor Martin is right
Is it true that with the new test being introduced you are restricted to a 250cc for the first two years of passing?
i think its the car drivers that need more training, i ride a 50cc honda sfx scooter to collage and back every day, the amount of drivers that pull out on roundabouts and claim they didnt see me is unreal. im getting a geard 125 soon and hopefully sumtime next year taking a full bike test. but i agree that car tests should be harder epsecialy for boy racers who think they own the road because theve had there license for a day
Ian - the laws are not changing on this - yet. As with the old test, the new test will allow you be assessed on a 125cc (A2) or a 500cc (A1). If you do the latter, there are no restrictions afterwards - for this, you need to be over 21, and you should do a Direct Access course.
If you do the former, you will be restricted to a bike putting out 33bhp for two years. Bikes putting out 33bhp usually range from 250cc to 400cc - check if it’s 33bhp legal.. if not, the bike needs to be restricted. When the two years are up, you can ride anything.
as a small female size 8 and verry slight i am dreading having to wheel my 500 bike backwards from 1 bay to another,this part of the test really worries me,it may meen small people like me may struggle to pass the big bike test and be restricted to a 125 for 2 years that is unfair .
Annie, I wouldnt worry about that. Being Female and a size 8 you are probably hot…. We need more hot women bikers!
Getting back to the bike pushing, its only as hard as you make it