License question & direct access

[onedsla]

Hi - I've decided to invest in some sort of motorbike and am looking at booking some sort of direct access course...

I passed my full driving test in 1997
My license says they I have Provisional Entitlement for Cat A (Motorcycles, with or without sidecar)

As I understand this means that I can ride a 50cc without L plates (wow, great) but I need to do a direct access to get a decent bike. My questions are:

Do I need to do anything else license-wise before booking training?

Can anybody recommend a good motorbike training place in London - I'm in Canary Wharf area.
Thanks for your help,
Dave

[Pigeon]

You need to pass CBT before your provisional entitlement "works", but your training place will put you through this on your first day.

[Mad Dave]

First off you'll need to pass your theory test (www.dvla.org.uk to book). Then ring up a DAS course of your choice and book. The course will incorporate your CBT on a 50cc (if youre 16) or a 125cc (if youre 17 or over). Thats a one day thing, no test at the end of it, its just training. You may get a days or so's training on a 125cc after that, but you may move straight onto a 500cc (as i did). Putting it simply, you'll just ride around, practising roadcraft, with regular stop offs to practise u-turns and e-stops.

Its all pretty straight forward. I did a '3 day DAS'. Thats one day CBT, one day on a 500, then test at midday on day 3. Unfortunately i failed (left an indicator running), but i have a retest booked for the 25th. I paid £300 for my 3 day course. I paid my £48 test fee on top of that.

Good luck - im sure you wont regret it.

Dave

PS good first bikes: Bandit 600 (thats what i plumped for) GS500 (what youll learn on probably) or another upright 600 or similar.

[rsvnigel]

Brush-up on the highway code as you'll have to sit your theory test including the hazard perception bit.

Speak to whoever your going to do the DAS with as they often block book the tests.

[onedsla]

Thanks for the help - I never thought I'd have to sit another theory test again though - I do try to keep up to date through IAM so it shouldn't be too taxing...

I'm thinking along the lines of a Honda VFR 400 for my first 6 months - I'd like something with sports bike looks and handling but isn't going to try and kill me at the earliest opportunity

Either way I'm looking to go car-less for the first time in 7 years and am loving the look of the £300ish insurance - beats £1800 on a Lotus!!

[andy4200]

Looks like you are thinking the same as me, although I'm going to keep the tvr. Insurance is a hell of a lot better than 1700 quid.

I thought I would have to do the theory test again, is there any online practice ones that we can, well..., practice on!!

Andy

[ledger]

andy4200 said:

Looks like you are thinking the same as me, although I'm going to keep the tvr. Insurance is a hell of a lot better than 1700 quid. I thought I would have to do the theory test again, is there any online practice ones that we can, well..., practice on!! Andy

you can buy the theory test on CD-ROM, this will give you every question they have ever asked. If you have this the actual test is a no brainer ( not that hard without the CD-ROM to be honest). As far as I'm aware you can't get the "hazard awareness" test on CD. But if you drive a car this is pretty easy.

[Davel]

Do it, do it, do it!

You'll love it!!!!!!!

[keitht1]

You can get an (unofficial) hazard awareness test on CD (about £8 - £10, or cheaper on ebay). Well worth doing as the hazard awareness test assumes you have zero experience driving. I found (after 10 years driving) that I needed to do the practice to learn what the test was looking for as an experienced driver will most likely notice the hazard before the test expects you to and click too early.

Get the CD - it's not worth failing the theory test and having to wait another 6 weeks or so.

[paulcdb]

keitht1 said:

I found (after 10 years driving) that I needed to do the practice to learn what the test was looking for as an experienced driver will most likely notice the hazard before the test expects you to and click too early.

I'm in a similar position, after 10 years driving now looking at doing my theory after spending a year on a 125, i know i should've passed last year but the lack of having someone "supervise" me while riding has made me a little slow to take the test.

I did get the hazard perception cd and found i was clicking "too soon" but found if you click a few times during the hazard you can generally score the 4-5 points ;-)

And yes, i'm working up to doing my bike test later this year

[Don]

paulcdb said:

And yes, i'm working up to doing my bike test later this year

Me too. I've found a local school who'll do me a Direct Access thing.

What do people think: The course is CBT one day. Theory Test. Two days riding - test at end of second day. Is that long enough?

[rsvmilly]

It all depends on the individual. I only had two days and then my test. Passed first time!!

[jvaughan]

the cheapest theory test literature is to use the online free one. I did that a few times, booked my theory, and just went and sat it. If you have a few years car experience under yoru belt, its easy, the majority of it is hazard perception / road craft.

[keitht1]

jvaughan said:

the cheapest theory test literature is to use the online free one. I did that a few times, booked my theory, and just went and sat it. If you have a few years car experience under yoru belt, its easy, the majority of it is hazard perception / road craft.

I agree with you, but I think most experienced drivers would be too good at spotting hazards - i.e. they'd click too early and get no points on the actual test. IMHO it's definately worth doing some practice for the hazard perception bit.