Bike test next week. Your advice ....

Suasdaguna1

Ok folks, middle aged, doing my bike test 2 weeks time in tallaght.

Have all the boxes ticked re paper work/ courses done upto lvl 5. Instructor says I'm good to go but there's always something that can catch you out.

Doing a Pre test next week.

I have sweated my nuts off in preparation, blue in the face riding around tallaght sussing out roads/threats etc....but please give me any extra tips re what to look out for, any nuances / quirks they love to see, recent experience from test or even retired examiners might have words of wisdom.

Thanks in advance.

KingIsabella

Keep keep keep looking over your shoulder!!

RosieJoe

Relax, all the preparation will do you good!

Foot down at all Stop signs/lines.

Life savers when you start the U-Turn, as you move out in the Emergency Swerve ( indicate too I think, but ask in the pretest), as you brake in the Emergency Brake.

Edit: Don't forget to check your mirrors too on the brake test, they'll look for that also.

The Shane

From my pre-test, I was brought to a junction that had neither stop or yield signs but had a poor line of sight. I cruised through, was pointed out I should have at least paused to look. Good advice in general. Just make sure you can see what's coming.

Did my test last year, before the new module, how has the test changed?

Shane, The

Wonda-Boy

Make sure you do the route at the time of your test....I nearly got caught out when I did mine it was "school time" soccer moms everywhere and they are lethal!!!!

Get all your gear on you "before" you get on the bike, and do not wait for the tester (if in a car) during the test. As in if he tells you to turn @ a junction and he is two cars back dont wait for a gap in traffic, you will be done for lack of progress. If you are too far ahead he will tell you to pull in so lifesavers pulling in and pulling out again.

Wonda-Boy

The Shane wrote: »

From my pre-test, I was brought to a junction that had neither stop or yield signs but had a poor line of sight. I cruised through, was pointed out I should have at least paused to look. Good advice in general. Just make sure you can see what's coming.

Did my test last year, before the new module, how has the test changed?

Shane, The

If in doubt stop. You will not be failed/marked down for stopping, but you will if you DONT!

eurofoxy

if you are using your own bike, make sure its clean and in good working order and all the lights are working...Turn up a bit early, try to relax its nothing difficult, you just have to prove you can ride safely for the 40 mins its going to take, oh and lifesavers, dont forget them...other than that just do what you normally do and you will be fine...

LookBehindYou

Reasons for failure are mostly :

OBSERVATIONS
Reaction to hazards,
Road/lane position,
lack of progress.

Suasdaguna1

Thanks folks, I really appreciate your comments. I just want to get on with it and do the biz.

Hornswoggle

I did my test in Tallaght a few months ago, see this thread that I created back when I was doing it

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056889332

I also put up the route map for the test, best of luck!

Seanie_H

I have my test in two weeks too but out in Finglas.

I'm not the type to get anxious but decided to dig around the forum for topics. Hahaha, all I'll say is that ignorance is bliss!

Some of the advice goes against everything I would have thought of!

• Go 51-55 in a 50kph to show progression
• Left turn lifesaver for Finglas only when bus or cycle lane
• Checking mirrors before an emergency stop

Don't get me wrong, I understand the logic but some of this catches me off guard and seems against instinct for test environment.

Will be an intensive pretest with me drilling out the questions!!!

Wonda-Boy

Well I know from experience that going a tad faster is not a problem and is better IMHO then going slower, 55 in a 50 is fine (again was told by a tester). I had two 80klm zones in my test in Meath which is unusual and I went the 85 (digital clocks I have) in both and I passed my test no probs (No marks at all)

Of course all testers will be different...another good tip is to just flash the brake light going from a faster zone to a slower zone, rather then just rolling off. It lets the tester know you are actually observing the transition.

As for the lifesavers, its got nothing to do with the position on the road. If you are changing direction FOR WHATEVER REASON do a lifesaver.

pa990

all of the above and...



RELAX,

remember, its only a driving test. worst case scenario, you do it again. Its not the end of the world

RosieJoe

Also, if you think you've made a mistake/fecked up keep going, don't give up. You might only get a mark against you and still pass if you kep the head

Tigger

turn up covered in pigs blood
thats what we used to do
no-one ever failed

Thinkingaboutit

If you get nervous or are nervous about the turnabout, putting your foot down as part of a controlled manoeuvre, only gets a minor fault. Going a little faster than the speed limits is a good idea as mentioned. Having neat, good quality gear, a neat and clean tabard of shame, and a clean bike seems to put the tester in a good mood.

Topper Harley

Just wondering, did everyone here who's done their test not wear full gear, such as a pair of jeans?

Thinkingaboutit

Topper Harley wrote: »

Just wondering, did everyone here who's done their test not wear full gear, such as a pair of jeans?

I wore a bike trousers of some sort. The more gear the better, I think, in respect of the tester's mood.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Wheelies, everyone loves wheelies ~ share your gift with the world

And best of luck OP, its been over 25yrs since I done mine but I'm sure I was as nervous.

Hope you pass/passed?.

Wonda-Boy

A burnout pre test in the carpark is a great way to get enough grip for the test itself.....and show the tester you have a great understanding of both throttle and clutch control :pac::pac: