How should I go about this. Want to get up to full licence status as quick as poss.

Have ridden a trials bike from age 10 so am reasonably confident handling a small machine and am a quick learner (passed car test within 4 weeks of my 17th b'day 12 years ago and had no probs enjoyhing the wee ickle trials bike).

What bikes (cc) can I ride now and the various stages?

Am 29 have full car licence.

thanks in advance.

[Edited by Dracoro - 1/29/2003 6:11:29 PM]

Not sure about this but,I think your allowed to ride a 125 on L plates,then you take a test which is limited to 33 bhp,then take another test to ride unlimited.What the time scales are between tests Im not sure.Its bin a while since I took mine,was a bit different then!!!

Hope this is of some use to you.

Have a look Here (http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm#1.%20Changes%20to%20the%20UK%20Learne r%20Motorcycle%20Specification) for DVLA info.

Cheers,

Rob.

I took my test last October (Aged 30!).

I initially took my CBT which you've to pass a "theory" test, and a practical sort of thing. Neither is hard to be honest. The CBT is done on 125cc bikes.

Once the CBT is out of the way you can take Direct Access (DAS). This took me a couple of months of a 1/2 day a week. Nothing too intense or anything. Infact apart from DAMMED U turns I loved my lessons and looked forward to each 1/2 day session.

On the DAS the school used Honda CB500's. Not a bad little bike to learn on. Enough poke to start with ~ I certainly thought it was quick initially.

Some places to week intensive courses which include the CBT and everything, but I did mine over the Sept / October period.

Test wasn't as scary as I thought apart from the clutch cable broke on my test as I was slowing for a 30 zone. 4th gear to 3rd, cable broke. Nothing I could do apart from indicate / brake. Examiner saying in my ear...no no keep going, until I put my hand up and turned thumb down !!!!

Slid to a halt at the side of the road with bike stuck in 4th !

Rushed back for spare bike and still passed :D :D

I took a DA (Direct Access) course which gave me a full licence in 5 days (Bristol). The instructors there were examiners and know what route the present exmaniners are going to take.

After passing my test I then went out and bought a GSXR750 and had so much fun. I've now got a DRZ400E and am having much more fun than a road bike....best thing I've done.

Going motocrossing this weekend with my new DRZ, can't wait :)

Regards

Kev..

Who should I speak to regarding lessons, training etc.

It seems I need my CBT before going on the road unaccompanied. How much does all this cost BTW?

Many thanks for the replies chaps! :)

I took my test 20 years ago with the Bristol Motorcycle Training Centre, The fact they are still around indicates that they are a good place to learn. They did the biz for me.

Ash

I think my CBT was about £100 with the DAS being a fixed cost of £500. Or something close to those costs.

Perhaps I can offer a bit of advice in my capacity as a qualified instructor.

CBT has to be completed by anyone who wishes to ride up to 125cc unaccompanied or a large bike of 47BHP under qualified supervision.

CBT is not a test, it is a course where provided you complete each module to the satisfaction of your instructor, which includes a 2 hour on road session, then you will be issued with your CBT certificate (DL196) which is valid for two years from date of issue.

Further training for the test is not only advised but important if you want the best chance of passing first time, although a first time pass cannot be guaranteed. Certainly if you are doing Direct access then you will not get to the test without training unless you can get insurance cover and someone to ride the bike to the test centre with you.

Before you take the test you will have to pass your theory test and hazard perception test even though you may already have a full car licence.

The full licence test lats 45 minutes and you will be asked to ride a variety of roads including a section of National speed limit. The examiner is normally on a bike, but sometimes they will be following behind in a car but either way, both will have a radio link so that they can give you directions. During the test you will also complete five set manouevres, U turn, Hill start, slow ride in a straight line, moving off from behind a parked vehicle and an emergency stop.

If you drop 15 minor faults or less you will pass, drop 1 major fault then that is a failure, and a major fault would be something like excess speed, or forgetting to cancel a signal or locking up the rear wheel on the emergency stop.

At the completion of the practical, you will be asked one of two questions related to balance, and you will be required to give a full answer as it carries the same weight as a practical part of the test and it replaces the old highway code part of the test.

If you pass you will be given a certificate of competence which you can send off with your driving licence and exchange for a full licence. It is important to do this within 2 years otherwise you are back to square 1 again. Remember you do not have a full licence until itsays so on your licence.

If you take the test on a 125 you are restricted to 33 BHP for 2 years at which time you can then ride anything you like. The power does not relate to the size, it is the power that is critical. If you are doing DAS the machine must exceed 47BHP and you must be 21 or older.

Intensive courses over three or four days genericaly have a high failure rate nationaly, and the DSA are still considering whether to outlaw such courses and replace it with a log book where a minimum number of hours have to be logged before the rest can be taken, but as an average if you have ridden before that shouldn't cause a problem, and expect to pay in the region of between £70 - £100 for CBT and about £300 - £500 for the direct access which should also include your test.

Hope this helps.

Doing my CBT on monday.

What can I ride after this? anything restricted to 33bhp with L plates? unaccompanied? Or can I only have a 125 unaccompanied (I am 29 btw).

Any recommendations as to what to buy? Have time to practice then soon to do the DA course.

You will be limited to 125cc unaccompanied and you must display L plates clearly to the front and rear of the machine.

33 BHP is the restricted full licence limit and whilst learning you can only ride a large machine of 47BHP or more whilst under qualified supervision until you have passed your test.

'33 BHP is the restricted full licence limit'

I don't understand.

Do CBT, can ride up to 125 with L plates.
Do DA and ride anything (if I pass).

What bikes will I be doing DA on? How will I practice? Or shoudl I buy a 125 for practicing and do DA course on 500(?)cc until I pass?

Once you have completed CBT you will be allowed to ride up to 125cc unacompanied or any large machine above 125cc under qualified supervision.

L plates must be displayed clearly to the front and rear of the machine until you have passed your test, and it is important to remember that the size you buy is the size you must display, inother words they must be 7 inches square otherwise it is £60 fine and three points on your licence.

If you take the test on a 125 you will then be limited to 33 bhp or less for the first 2 years or if you are 21 or over you can train and take your test on a large 47bhp+ machine.

The engine power does not relate to the size it is all about the power output, and you can get restrictor kits for the bikes putting out more than 33 bhp in standard form.

How you progress after CBT is very much dependent on your experience and ability. If your instructor is switched on, he will be able to advise you as to the best route to take, whether that means getting a small bike to gain more experience on or going straight to DAS on one of the schools machines.

Let him/her guide you.

I understand now!

Many thanks TC! :)

WIll chat more in depth with the instructors after the training to establish best course of action.

I'm guessing that buying a cheap old 125 and putting L plates on would be good until I get full licence as I won't have anyone to supervise me apart from when on the courses.