[lilith]

I recently did the Direct Access License in the UK. This means I can ride on a full license without restriction. A few folk have asked me for details and a thread has been requested so here goes….

To get a UK provisional (only to start the process) you need to be a ‘resident’. I have not been for many years but if you have a National Insurance Number and a borrowed address you are eligible (I don’t think it is too hard to get a NIN).

The UK process is more intense than the Irish one. You need to complete:
1. Compulsory Basic Training
2. Theory/Hazard test
3. Module 1 bike Test
4. Module 2 bike test


1. CBT

This is the basic stuff for someone who has never ridden before. Literally learning where your breaks are and how to operate the bike, stop and start, ride in a straight line. You train for half a day in a courtyard at a bike school. They take you out on the road for a short while and check you have the hang of it all. You are certified by the bike school you are with not an external tester. Basically so long as you don't crash you get it! This will give you a CBT certificate.

2. Theory/Hazard.
You need to do a theory/hazard test. This is the same as the Irish one. Multiple answers. The hazard test is done at the same time and is literally just push the button when you see a hazard on the computer.


Once you have done these and have your provisional you can undertake a Direct Access Route. This can be broken up into lessons or if you have riding experience then you can do this as a three day course (including tests). You have to do this with a bike school to get the unrestricted license as you will need to take the tests on a 600cc which exceeds the limit of the provisional except when with an instructor.

3. Module 1

The first part of this is module 1. This is just courtyard stuff again, like the CBT but on a bigger bike. You need to: push the bike, slalom, figure of 8, swerve and avoidance, turn in the road, slow ride, emergency stop. It is done in a purpose built courtyard at a test centre and actually only takes 10-15mins. The swerve and avoidance is the main thing people fail on either not making the speed or hitting the cones(they have a speed trap and you must make a min speed of 50km/h or you fail). However it is also widely believed that this will change as of Easter and be made easier. You can ask the bike school to take you to the test centre to train. Youtube videos on all parts of this here

You must pass module 1 before you can take module 2. If you fail module 1 you must wait 3 working days before taking it again (the bike school books test on your behalf and the waiting times are not like here so I managed to get a rebook within a week)

4. Module 2

The last part is mod2 which is just the road test same as here - but with no maneuvers as you did them all in mod1, so really just ride the bike for 30mins!


Other General Info:
Most schools will do packages for people who have experience meaning you can do the DAS including tests in 3 days.

Good bike schools will include all insurance, bike hire, any gear needed and test fees in the price they quote you. You just have to sort out your own theory test. Be careful on this if you get a cheap quote … the first crowd I went to stung me for extras when I arrived.

If you wanted to do the DAS in one visit I know of plenty who have managed:
Day 1 cbt
Day 2 theory test

Day 3 Start DAS training
Day 4 Das training
Day 5 mod 1 in morning, mod 2 in afternoon


That is all the info really but if there is anything else give me a shout! I have been with 2 bike schools and would really recommend the guys I did it with in Birmingham (am I allowed to say who they were?) no hidden extras, really professional, lots of personal attention, decent radios, honest with me and also helpful at fitting into my schedule as they knew I was coming over from Ireland.

If anyone wants any other info give me a shout and I will try my best!

[Tazzzie]

Thanks for posting that, have it pinned now.
A couple of questions:

how much did it cost you?
did they present the licence to you there or post it to you?
did you need to present a bill for your borrowed address?
what ID was required? - as in, did you need a UK Passport / Car licence etc.

(Basically, is this open to your average irish wanna be biker) ?

[ridertraining]

http://www.direct.go...ivers/index.htm

[lilith]

Tazzzie, on 13 March 2011 - 11:57 AM, said:

Thanks for posting that, have it pinned now.
A couple of questions:

how much did it cost you?
did they present the licence to you there or post it to you?
did you need to present a bill for your borrowed address?
what ID was required? - as in, did you need a UK Passport / Car licence etc.

(Basically, is this open to your average irish wanna be biker) ?

As I am originally from the UK and already had a car license I didn't have to prove residency. However the online application system for the provisional is here http://www.direct.go...lyA/DG_10032690 and lists the docs needed. Other info on relevant docs are here http://www.direct.go...nce/DG_4022091.

I guess that your provisional will be sent to the address given? After that you get each new certificate while you are there. For each new stage they just ask for the certs from the previous stages. Once you complete mod2 they ask if you want to send off for your license or them to do it for you so just tell them you want to do it yourself. As I already had a full car license I was able to just use the certificates alongside my car one as my provisional so I can't help too much on this. Once you have that provisional though noone questions you (even the examiners knew I was over from Ireland for it and didn't bother them at all). In fact none of my family still live at the address on my provisional.

I'm not sure how easy it is but I have heard of a fair few people figuring out a way to get the id clearance. Certainly if you have ever lived or worked in the UK it would be fine (I have been gone over 5 years and there was no problem). This is really pretty similar stuff to getting the Irish provisional. Sorry I can't be much help on that!

In regards to costs I did my CBT a while ago and spread out my other training. However if you were to do it the block training way the guys I was with in Birmingham do cbt 140 and 3 day DAS 599. Including bike, insurance, test fees and instructor so I would guess that is fairly indicative of costs.

[Darkcloud]

A very comprehensive guide there and well put together ... fair play for taking the time to compose

[airflow]

hello all ,had the luck too stumbel across this sticky posted by a very helpfull biker ;lilith;as i had an address over in london which i could use for licence there was no problem was not asked for any bills with proof of address when swaping from an full irish to a full english as i had sat my driving exam on a 500cc i did not have any restrictions when i transfered to a british one ,did not realise this untill i tried booking my DAS course with north london rider training they informed me that i was good to go ,said to make sure so i rang dvla and sure enough they were right no more bloody restrictions just says 70irl after every catagorie which means transfer from another european country and 115 which means if the worst happens they can use what the crows dont want ;organ donor; now rideing my fireblade with no restrictions legally with the biggest smile anyone ever had life is good all in all it only took me about 4weeks from when i swapped untill i had everything sorted ;£54 for licence £200 for flights as i was in a rush and accomadation was free crashed on a mates floor we had a good drink for a few days so all in all a great trip ,hope this helps fellow bikers enjoy the true potential of their beautifull machines ,thanks again to lilith if not for you i would have my bike left in garage for another year untill irish restrictions were over instead i'am of to assen the end of june booked tickets the other day really looking forward first trip on me girl outside ireland .