Finally got there!

[Guest]

Hi all,

Been a long time reader but first time poster - thought I'd share my experience of the tests for anyone feeling as though they might be wasting time - plus I've got a question regarding next steps:

So I've been riding for about 3 and half years now, started out on a moped but picked up a CBF 125 in February after uni, now that I'm back working in London. Here was the slightly lengthened process in obtaining an A1:

Mod 1:

Attempt 1: I had my first go at Erith, was feeling fairly nervous (mainly about the hazard avoidance as I kept clipping cones on the swerve in practice). All went well apart from forgetting to do a second lifesaver on the U-turn and of course, nicked the inside cone with my leg on the avoidance and that was it, the first fail.'

Attempt 2: Felt comfortable with Erith so decided to give it another go, was thinking too far ahead here and was worrying about the swerve that I applied too much pressure on the rear brake during emergency stop (should've just covered it with my foot) which resulted in a slight skid and of course, the second fail.

Attempt 3: Third times a charm so booked again for Erith, turned up feeling much calmer than the previous attempts. Got to the slalom - stuck my foot down instead of feathering to keep the bike going. Was not a happy bunny at all that day. Fail 3.

At this point, I was feeling pretty doubtful about it all as it had taken about 2 months trying to get free time off work but I decided to just go for the next date available and nail it on the head:

Attempt 4: This one was a bit weird as I was looking for cancellations, found one one a Saturday short notice at Mitcham and just went for it. Unfortunately, it ended up pouring it down on the day and there was also an ongoing strike from examiners at certain test centres. Nonetheless, the centre confirmed it was going ahead (much to my surprise - the amount of rain was horrendous) and ended up doing the test at a completely unknown centre, soaking wet. All went well up until the avoidance when as I came to a stop, I got told I hadn't reached the required speed by 1mph! Went round again and decided to just give it the nuts and just about made it to a stop, making the required speed this time round. Parked up and got given the amazing news that I'd finally passed - a lot of relief to say the very least!

With Mod 1 out the way, spent some time using the commute to work as a way of preparing for mod 2 good practice and the story goes:

Mod 2:

Attempt 1: Decided to for for it at Mitcham after driving around both Erith and there, I felt Mitcham was a little bit easier as an area personally. Went out after your standard safety questions and got to the test centre with no idea whether I'd passed or not. Got back into the room and unfortunately didn't make the mark on this one - I had stupidly ridden over a mini roundabout when taking the third exit rather than attempting to go wide around it. Fairly stupid thing to fail on as I'd gone through about 5 mini roundabouts fine and it could have been easily avoided. Ultimately, it was the first mod 2 fail.

Attempt 2: Finally got round to having another go at Mitcham again (about 2 weeks ago), thought I had binned it pulling in front of a drive way when being asked to pull up on the left. Got back to the test centre and got given the green light - was absolutely delighted. Did receive 2 minors for low speed (decided to be a nanny doing 30ish in a 40 to be safe as I wasn't sure of the speed) and 2 for undue hesitation (the roads were empty and I stopped at junctions to do a second check before pulling off - in fairness, I think I probably could've gone but wanted to be safe).

So, I guess this post is two-fold. For all those who feel like you're not getting anywhere, please stick with it. The feeling of finally getting there is always worth it, even if it means waiting 3/10 working days for those stupid cancellations and doing the rubbish journeys home after you failed!

In terms of myself, I'm 22 and a half with a full A1 license now. Certainly want to get that unlimited but I guess my question is which of the following options would be best or is there another route?

1) Wait until I turn 24 (1 and a half years) and then pay approx. £600 for a 'Experienced' DAS and get the full license taking my theory myself and then Mod 1/Mod2 with a school.

2) Take the progressive route by taking A2 now for approx £500-600, taking my theory, Mod 1 & Mod 2 and then paying another £600 for the unlimited Mod 1/Mod 2's but this would then have to be 6 months after I turn 24?

I guess financially, it makes sense to wait and I'm not sure it makes sense to upgrade my CBF125 to an A2 bike upon passing as I'd only be keeping it for just shy of 2 years before wanting to get my unlimited A. I guess I've passed at a rubbish time given the new laws so option 1 does seem to be the best way forward but it would be good to get some input from you guys who have been in similar positions?

Thanks and hope this helps with test related info for some of you.

[MissBex]

Big Congratulations Vbar!

I can totally empathise with you as I did the exact same amount of tests (Passed 4th mod 1 and 2nd mod 2) and the feeling at the end of it all is just so amazing isn't it. That's why I like to come on here and post advice and my experiences to others to let them know it's worth it in the end. I know for me personally, it really helped reading others experiences and it reassured me that I wasn't the only one to make those mistakes.

I think waiting till you're 24 would probs be the best option, especially considering the money and effort involved. I was lucky in that when I decided to ride I was already 24, but maybe someone else with more knowledge will be able to advise of the best rote to take.

[fq-craigus]

Congrats on the passing, don't matter how you got here just as long as you did well done

[eastanglianbiker]

Hi all,

Been a long time reader but first time poster - thought I'd share my experience of the tests for anyone feeling as though they might be wasting time - plus I've got a question regarding next steps:

So I've been riding for about 3 and half years now, started out on a moped but picked up a CBF 125 in February after uni, now that I'm back working in London. Here was the slightly lengthened process in obtaining an A1:

Mod 1:

Attempt 1: I had my first go at Erith, was feeling fairly nervous (mainly about the hazard avoidance as I kept clipping cones on the swerve in practice). All went well apart from forgetting to do a second lifesaver on the U-turn and of course, nicked the inside cone with my leg on the avoidance and that was it, the first fail.'

Attempt 2: Felt comfortable with Erith so decided to give it another go, was thinking too far ahead here and was worrying about the swerve that I applied too much pressure on the rear brake during emergency stop (should've just covered it with my foot) which resulted in a slight skid and of course, the second fail.

Attempt 3: Third times a charm so booked again for Erith, turned up feeling much calmer than the previous attempts. Got to the slalom - stuck my foot down instead of feathering to keep the bike going. Was not a happy bunny at all that day. Fail 3.

At this point, I was feeling pretty doubtful about it all as it had taken about 2 months trying to get free time off work but I decided to just go for the next date available and nail it on the head:

Attempt 4: This one was a bit weird as I was looking for cancellations, found one one a Saturday short notice at Mitcham and just went for it. Unfortunately, it ended up pouring it down on the day and there was also an ongoing strike from examiners at certain test centres. Nonetheless, the centre confirmed it was going ahead (much to my surprise - the amount of rain was horrendous) and ended up doing the test at a completely unknown centre, soaking wet. All went well up until the avoidance when as I came to a stop, I got told I hadn't reached the required speed by 1mph! Went round again and decided to just give it the nuts and just about made it to a stop, making the required speed this time round. Parked up and got given the amazing news that I'd finally passed - a lot of relief to say the very least!

With Mod 1 out the way, spent some time using the commute to work as a way of preparing for mod 2 good practice and the story goes:

Mod 2:

Attempt 1: Decided to for for it at Mitcham after driving around both Erith and there, I felt Mitcham was a little bit easier as an area personally. Went out after your standard safety questions and got to the test centre with no idea whether I'd passed or not. Got back into the room and unfortunately didn't make the mark on this one - I had stupidly ridden over a mini roundabout when taking the third exit rather than attempting to go wide around it. Fairly stupid thing to fail on as I'd gone through about 5 mini roundabouts fine and it could have been easily avoided. Ultimately, it was the first mod 2 fail.

Attempt 2: Finally got round to having another go at Mitcham again (about 2 weeks ago), thought I had binned it pulling in front of a drive way when being asked to pull up on the left. Got back to the test centre and got given the green light - was absolutely delighted. Did receive 2 minors for low speed (decided to be a nanny doing 30ish in a 40 to be safe as I wasn't sure of the speed) and 2 for undue hesitation (the roads were empty and I stopped at junctions to do a second check before pulling off - in fairness, I think I probably could've gone but wanted to be safe).

So, I guess this post is two-fold. For all those who feel like you're not getting anywhere, please stick with it. The feeling of finally getting there is always worth it, even if it means waiting 3/10 working days for those stupid cancellations and doing the rubbish journeys home after you failed!

In terms of myself, I'm 22 and a half with a full A1 license now. Certainly want to get that unlimited but I guess my question is which of the following options would be best or is there another route?

1) Wait until I turn 24 (1 and a half years) and then pay approx. £600 for a 'Experienced' DAS and get the full license taking my theory myself and then Mod 1/Mod2 with a school.

2) Take the progressive route by taking A2 now for approx £500-600, taking my theory, Mod 1 & Mod 2 and then paying another £600 for the unlimited Mod 1/Mod 2's but this would then have to be 6 months after I turn 24?I guess financially, it makes sense to wait and I'm not sure it makes sense to upgrade my CBF125 to an A2 bike upon passing as I'd only be keeping it for just shy of 2 years before wanting to get my unlimited A. I guess I've passed at a rubbish time given the new laws so option 1 does seem to be the best way forward but it would be good to get some input from you guys who have been in similar positions?

Thanks and hope this helps with test related info for some of you.

as far as im aware you will not need ro retake the theory test but i might be wrong i konw when i done my hgv courses because i passed theory doing class 2 i didnt need to re do it to get test done on artics