[Reaper]

Originaly Posted by DarkCloud and reposted into a Sticky for easy Reference.
All Content is attributed to DarkCloud.


Right people...over the bikers4Life weekend several people with tests looming were asking me about the test (seen as how I've had both the fail and pass results over the last few months) so I thought I'd post up my experiences...Hope I don't bore you too much ..

Test 1 Raheny(April 2008) Test 2 Finglas(July2008)

Pre Test is ESSENTIAL..instructor will demo the art of turning, cornerning, U turn, shoulder check, lifesaver, slow ride, possible ROTR questions, making progress etc etc etc ..all very relevant on test day but maybe not so afterwards LOL
I got out and practiced every min I had in weeks prior to test,...its practice practice practice..practicing exactly how you will ride on the test day..

For both tests I arrived about 20 mins early, full PPE incl the dreaded L vest Always park the bike in a way that its easy to drive off at start of test..Raheny - outside door with rear wheel to kerb, Finglas in a parking spot that isn't going to be blocked by a car. Good idea to check out your test centre prior to test and do a walk around to plan your exit / entry noting possible difficulties (Finglas test centre has a junction with a yield sign and a stop marking on roadway – but don't worry its not on your entry / exit…) Make sure bike is taxed and clean and that all lights / indicators and horn are working.

When you are greeted by tester, it's straight down to business (there will be no chit chat) licence please, sign a doc stating that all is in order with bike / Ins etc. You wont be asked to prove bike is restricted etc..signature covers all. Straight into ROTR questions..there appears to be a standard few questions they ask ( but learn them all, just in case!)
Firstly a few like which brake is more powerful/effective, what conditions could lead to a skid, when should you use dipped headlights, how would you recognise a zebra crossing at night.Identify some roadsigns: sharp turn ahead, unguarded level crossing, pedestrian zone, clearway, series of bends ahead - just a few questions really !

Then its straight into being given your radio head set and instructions on how to use it and how test will be conducted (eg tester will give you plenty of time in telling you where to turn, if you loose him he'll tell you to pull in where its safe etc etc) Then it's outside to the bike.

Tester will ask you to demo that lights, indicator etc work. He is supposed to ask you a couple of bike technical questions but on my second test he didnt bother ( a good sign !) On first test he asked me how Id check the oil and how Id adjust the chain..that was it..

Then it's off on the road test...........once you sit on the bike the test has started so dont forget indicator, shoulder check, life saver etc..!!

- In Finglas I lost him immediately after turning out of test centre so he told me to pull in..I made sure it was not near a corner, yellow lines, blocking entrance…usual drill !! and indicated / lifesaver etc..early in test and mad nervous but make sure you don't forget !!

You will do a short enough circuit on the road..a mix of estate roads and main road but mainly estates.
I assumed for Finlgas that main route would be either Finglas Rd or Ballymun Rd and practiced both extensively…in fact it was neither..Glasnevin Ave was ony real main route…he even brought me down MY road..more positive signs :-)
There will be left and right handers, roundabouts, mini roundabouts, ( don't forget lifesavers), making progress on all roads..watch out for speed signs (50kph increasing to 60kph), progress at junctions (if its safe to keep moving at a yield sign do so !!) When stopping right foot on rear brake, left on ground. When moving off right shoulder check. Seems to work best to slow down well in advance of a red light so that you hopefully can glide up and keep moving off without having to stop at all !!

There will be the U turn (road will be wide enough - he wont stick you on a road that's too narrow..could have turned a bus on road he brought me to on first test..) Foot down is a grade 2 so not to worry if you do (I did on test 2..) Slow ride..a few yards with tester walking beside you ( he'll walk briskly enough so it should be grand.) Taking your bike off stand and pushing it a few yards (simple really) On all these three events don't forget to look behind you before you set off - that includes when you do bike push..and shoulder check (Look down the road to ensure nothing is coming..), indicator and life saver on u turn. U turn is best performed if as you do lifesaver and start turn to keep looking where you want to go…bike will follow your viewing direction !!

He may test you for observation so keep a lookout (In my case on second test he brought me down to a stop junction where there was no stop sign and road markings were barely visible - worn away - luckily I knew the road well LOL)
Otherwise its things like moving in/out in plenty of time when you observe dangers / obstructions (e.g. cars approaching on narrow road or parked vehicles on the left..move smoothly in/out in plenty of time - only indicate if you have to cross road centre line and dont forget to give parked cars / cyclist plenty of room)

You may or not be brought to a yellow box junction (I was on one test and not the other) Don't forget the rule of not entering unless your exit is clear - that includes if you are turning right !!

Advice.........
Overall it's just nerves that will get the better of you..it did me on my first and I missed a stop sign ( automatic fail :-( )
No filtering, stay centre lane normally, keep the head moving for observation - mirrors and observation in general.
On estate roads where it's 50kph try to keep up to speed limit where at all possible otherwise you could be done for lack of progress...

For all turns..Make sure you do Mirrors, Indicate, Move to position on road, life saver, quick observation ahead and left/right, turn smoothly (no cutting corners), mirrors, cancel indicator and get up to speed limit as soon as possible.
Ensure you indicate and do a shoulder check when pull in to kerb or changing lanes.

Then it's back to test centre ( dont forget you are being tested until you dismount the bike !!) You wont be told result until you are back inside test centre....

If you think you've fcuked up during test, don't worry and keep going as normal as I was SURE I'd blown it during last test with a dangerous right turn but it wasn't even mentioned on score card...it appears he is mainly looking for a competent rider and an error you think major might not even register..so keep going. Also remember that he's behind you in a car so can't see all your 'little errors' and hasn't got YOUR view of the road / circumstances so will have to factor this into markings...

Sorry this is really long ...I could have given you exact routes etc but chances are you wont be brought those routes - just standard city estate and main roads........ Best of luck to those doing the test

And don't forget all the threads / stickys in the Riding Skills forum


Other members may / will disagree with the above .... feel free to comment .....and if you've done your own test recently please add your experiences / thoughts



Original Thread

This post has been edited by The_Kiwi: 06 August 2008 - 09:08 PM