Thinking about getting a bike. Advice required.

sandphil

hi there. i,ve been out of the bike scene for the last 16/17 years. going to ask a few daft questions. hope someone in the know can help....
i held two provisional licences which expired in 1994. looking at bikes again at the moment.
does anyone know if these would still be relevant and can i go ahead and apply for a full licence or have i to go the whole "hog" and start from scratch with theory test, eye test etc. for an A class learner permit. i'll be 40 at the end of the year and would be very capable on a bike after a couple of refresher lessons. anxiously awaiting replies.

MikeC101

Do you have a current car license? If you do, I don't think you have to do the eye test, but you will have to do the theory test for the A license, get a provisional, and be restricted to 33Bhp for the time before you do your test, and for two years after you get your full A license.

I think there's also a requirement that you can't apply for a third learners permit if you haven't applied for a test, or have an upcoming test date - but I'm not sure how, or even if, that would apply at all in your scenario. I think you'll be ok, because you're effectively starting anew and it's designed to stop people just continually driving on a provisional.

I'm not sure what the story is with having to wait 6 months for your test - I'd guess you will, but not 100%.

Maybe give the RSA a buzz and see? Would be interested to know how it works out.

pa990

sandphil wrote: »

hi there. i,ve been out of the bike scene for the last 16/17 years. going to ask a few daft questions. hope someone in the know can help....
i held two provisional licences which expired in 1994. looking at bikes again at the moment.
does anyone know if these would still be relevant and can i go ahead and apply for a full licence or have i to go the whole "hog" and start from scratch with theory test, eye test etc. for an A class learner permit. i'll be 40 at the end of the year and would be very capable on a bike after a couple of refresher lessons. anxiously awaiting replies.

as you licence has expired for 5 yrs or more, you will have to start at the start.

theory test, eyesight test, 1st permit, 2 yrs restriction after passing test etc

sandphil

thanks for replies. starting from scratch it is then. the thoughts of the theory test is putting me right off. but if i want a bike again so be it......:(

unclebill98

pa990 wrote: »

as you licence has expired for 5 yrs or more, you will have to start at the start.

theory test, eyesight test, 1st permit, 2 yrs restriction after passing test etc

You do not need a eyesight test if you already have a Full Car L. Basically your current L number becomes the same as your new Learner Permit. So all the information is crossed over. First time in years I've heard of a government system that shares info :eek:

EGOSHEA

sandphil wrote: »

thanks for replies. starting from scratch it is then. the thoughts of the theory test is putting me right off. but if i want a bike again so be it......:(

Don't worry about the theory test. Get yourself the CD-ROM which mimics the actual test itself and just do a feckload of practice tests. You'll notice your score steadily increase from regularly failing to consistently passing. I did this over a 2-day period prior to the test (got a cancellation slot, hence the short wait) and passed it.

sandphil

Thanks to everyone who replied. i have a happy update. bought a lovely 01 bandit 600. AON or ADELAIDE wouldn't entertain me even though it's restricted and has a cert. CAROLE NASH wanted 885 but got QUINN for 555 euro. all these quotes were over the phone......fair play to the wife she did all the talking(not a problem for her).
It took three attempts for her to get a quote from QUINN as she had to explain the difference between the A1 and A licence. And then explain that i can ride a 600 on a provisional A once its restricted. The NUMPTYS.
She ended up getting a better quote on QUINNS website for 527euro and the website didnt even look for the cert.
got the cd-rom and studied like mad.... did the theory test last weds got 37 out of 40. applied for licence and got her taxed the same day.
HAPPY BIKING.:D:D

EGOSHEA

sandphil wrote: »

Thanks to everyone who replied. i have a happy update. bought a lovely 01 bandit 600. AON or ADELAIDE wouldn't entertain me even though it's restricted and has a cert. CAROLE NASH wanted 885 but got QUINN for 555 euro. all these quotes were over the phone......fair play to the wife she did all the talking(not a problem for her).
It took three attempts for her to get a quote from QUINN as she had to explain the difference between the A1 and A licence. And then explain that i can ride a 600 on a provisional A once its restricted. The NUMPTYS.
She ended up getting a better quote on QUINNS website for 527euro and the website didnt even look for the cert.
got the cd-rom and studied like mad.... did the theory test last weds got 37 out of 40. applied for licence and got her taxed the same day.
HAPPY BIKING.:D:D

Hahahahha! Good man yourself! Got the exact same response - had to explain that having an A1 was different to an A (Quinn are relatively new to biking - you wouldn't believe the sh*t I had to go through to convince them that a Ural 750cc should be judged along with the sidecar weight in addition).

Well done on passing, man! Have a great time on yer bike. Just bought an ER-6f myself (factory restricted) and it ALWAYS pays - much like riding a bike itself - to assume that the other person doesn't know what the f**k they're doing.

Enjoy your bike!