When did you pass your test and how difficult was it?

[taylor]

did mine last year. mod 1, mod 2, theory,  I have been driving cars vans etc for twenty years, so failed my first mod 2 for speeding lol, I was singing to myself , then heard slow down slow down, cost 900. :'(  the re test with bike hire is 150.

[slappy]

1973, on my yamaha rd250,as others say round the block and that was it!
Don`t think i could pass the new test.

[rustyrider]

1971, about a month after my 16th birthday.  Standard couple of theory questions and a ride round the block job.  Although easy I thought I was going to fail.  I burnt the ignition coil out on my Ducati 250 Monza the day before the test so had to try to borrow something and the only mate that was prepared to lend me his bike had a 1950's Lambretta 150.  It was the first time I'd ever ridden a scooter with twist grip gears and the electric start didn't work so it had to be bump started.  Despite that, as I didn't fall off it, I still passed.

[Skippernick]

I did mine about 6 months before the 2 part test came out In, what, Jan '96? So August '95 for me.

CBT Sunday, a week riding around on a 10 year old Cg125 (much better than the newer Suzukis they had) and test on Friday.

Because the test was at rush hour, the examiner took me for a 30 minute blast around the back lanes. Quick u-turn and an emergency stop and it was back to the centre for theory. 3 questions later I passed!

A lot easier than now, that's for sure...

A local IAM member who is also a blood runner did a mock test on a  IAM skills day and couldn't believe what you have to do now to pass, he wasn't totally convinced he would.


I was one of the first to take the 2 module tests, passed module 1 first time, took 3 goes for the on road part. :o
I am convinced though it was a better test then, but they have since watered it down again because of MCN complaining.
My instructor said if students couldn't pass they weren't being thought properly.

[lew600fazer]

peejay said Oh come on............... there has to be someone older than me on this forum.

I962 197cc James Captain, round the block clock and anti-clockwise, 100 yds. at walking pace feet on the rests & an emergency stop. Passed OK

ATB YFM

Another young buck, 1964, think it was on my Dads James Cadet 150cc just as above Passed OK, next bike was a Tiger 90 350cc.

[neil2do]

hi

1980 ish round the block and brake when i put me hand up, and youve passed.  :eek

[Doddsie]

1981 on a KH 250, loved the `ring ding ding `of the 3 cylinder two stroke.

[chaz]

1970, second time (third if you count the one cancelled due to freezing fog) on 250cc starfire. Just didn't ride fast enough first time.

[cfoley]

Passed a couple of years ago and found it pretty easy.

Mod1 is in a perfectly flat yard. The lines for the U-turn are wider than most roads and have no camber. The hazard avoidance test is over hyped as you can avoid swerving altogether if you pick your line correctly.

Mod2 was pretty easy. I'd had a car licence for over 10 years and had ridden a bike for over a year on my CBT. A couple of lessons to shake off any bad habits and I was good to go.

[BBROWN1664]

Like Ogri, mine was a quick ride round the block in 1987 or thereabouts.

Passed, but shouldn't have as I locked the back brake a little on the
emergency stop, but the examiner didn't spot it!

I took my test on an XS750 with a Sidewinder sidecar to avoid doing the playground part with the cones just because I could. I locked up the back wheel on the emergency stop too but still passed as I released it quickly and still kept control.
One of the questions he asked after was the importance of the front brake on a motorcycle. I replied along the lines about weight movement and too little weight on the rear means the rear can lock up like it did for me in an emergency stop. Still passed though.

[YamFazMan]

After I passed my test I jumped  from the I962 197cc James Captain to a BSA 650 road rocket, I was late for work the first day with the rocket, I was just under 10 stone ringing wet and I couldn't kick it over to start it  :lol
ATB YFM

[XTremo]

October 1971.....just a ride round the block! I think the price was about a fiver.....can't remember exactly.

[Grahamm]

I took mine just over 6 years ago. The Theory questions were a doddle and the only problem with the Hazard Perception test was clicking when it was a "developing hazard". I tried some sample tests and kept clicking too early because I was thinking "Ok, that's liable to become a hazard, so I'll keep an eye on it".

The on-road test wasn't difficult, although the u-turn was on a slight hill with a bit of a camber which did worry me a bit, however it actually made it a bit easier to get the speed right

[Exupnut]

1990 fer me. Easy to pass. After the test the instructor said i could use the bike for the rest of the day. I filled it up and went round m25 before gettin the bike back to vauxhall cross @ 6pm dead as they were just aboot tae report it stolen.
Got insured on a company kwaka gt 550 tank and within 2 weeks had crashed into another biker with his mrs on the back. Learnt from it tho as it really shook me up.

[DILLIGAFF]

From memory, shortly after my 16th birthday in 1965 !!!!!! on my Lambretta Li 150 Mk. II no less.


I am convinced that 8 years of cycling to school gave me all the road sense and confidence I needed.


I think my test was in Teddington and the only thing I needed to remember was that it was rumoured, and prolly tue, that the examiner timed you on your circuit around the block so it was standard practice to sedately drive around the corner then sit there for a few minutes before confidently returning to Mr. Clipboard.


Thinking back it was ridiculously easy as none of my riding abilities were actually tested.


Still, in my defence, the only problems I remember were SMIDSY 1) the bloke over the road reversed out of his drive and ran over my parked bike................. SMIDSY 2) A bloke in a Jag pulled out in front of me in the pissing rain, I went over his roof, he didn't stop.

[nanook]

Did my test in 2000 and had my brand new Fazer waiting in the showroom for me.  Only problem was that my U turns were iffy (still are if truth be told!) so I did my test on a 125 and had to have my shiny new black Fazer restricted!  :eek  The following year I helped to organise the first spring meet and my bike was still restricted until about a month before the meet.  So...back to the test centre and sat my 'big bike' test and passed easily; then a few weeks later...off to Settle. 

[Strifae]

Did mine February 2008 - was just before they split the test into offroad and onroad - passed first time with 3 minors for observation. Wasn't too difficult but was already driving so had some road sense I guess.

Was straight onto back of my mates bike to go pick up my FZS600 best feeling ever

[peterjca]

Passed 20 years ago next month  in 1993 on an RG125 after having just come back from the TT. The 2 year limit on the provisional expired in November that year so I was constantly being ribbed at being potentially offroad for 2 years (I think it was) if I failed (unless I wanted to get a scooter *shudder*). I did fail by crossing hatchlines in the middle of the road when going up hill as the examiner wanted me to turn right and I was too eager to comply. Apart from that my ride was exemplary. When I got the same examiner the second time round a month later, the test lasted less than 20 minutes!

Speaking of tests, I think the time has arrived where I must seriously consider starting car driving lessons (merely as something useful to have under my belt)  :crazy

[stevierst]

I did mine just over 10 years ago at 30 years old. I was a devout fast car man but commuting from Sailsbury to Blackpool every weekend for years changed me. I used to sit on the m5/m6 junction in jams just watching the bikes filtering through and just thought how stupid I was not joining them.
I did a 4 day 'crash course' which I initially failed, then got an opportunity to do my restricted test in the Army, and passed on a 350 Harley Davidson a week later! (those things are nasty!)
I'd already bought my gold boxeye, and luckily had an airfield to ride around, practicing for my unrestricted test which I took a couple of weeks later and passed! Got rid of my car, gone purely two wheels only ever since.
Covered about 250,000 miles since passing, and still get that tingle every time I get on the bike.
I get told quite often that I'm not wired up right as I roll into work piss wet through in sub zero temps. I just tell everyone who asks why I do it, "Every minute in the saddle is a minute well spent". Its a way of life!

[steviebhoy]

I passed my test in 1983 on my first bike a Suzuki GP100 found the test easy as you only drove round a couple of blocks with the examiner standing at corners. I later became a motorbike instructor working for different driving schools around Glasgow for 13 years I was an observer for the IAM as well.
Stevie