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Common sense prevails:
Extra time granted for new motorcycle test
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has announced a delay of six months to the introduction of the new practical motorcycle test, originally scheduled for September 29, 2008.The move comes after the Agency considered representations from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), the Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA) and other motorcycle interests.
The new implementation date will now be Monday, March 30, 2009.
The decision to defer implementation will allow the DSA to carry on delivering motorcycle tests from a wider range of centres whilst working with motorcycle groups and to find a suitable solution for providing the new test service in problem locations.
Driving Standards Agency chief executive Rosemary Thew said: “Increasing road safety for motorcyclists has always been a top priority and it remains so. We listened carefully to the concerns put to us and this deferment acknowledges those concerns.
“None of us has lost sight of the fact that the aim of the new motorcycle test is to improve road safety for this important group of road users. This extra six months will give additional opportunity to find extra locations that we need to deliver the new test and potentially address gaps in service provision which have been highlighted to us.”
11 September 2008
As I said in bikerscafe, I quite like the idea of the new test (he says now).
I read an article explaining the new test, and the sad fact is that I don’t think that what I learnt on my DAS 18 months ago, would prepare me for the new test. Only after riding maybe 6 months after would I have had the confidence and skill to pass.
Which goes to show that the current test ain’t all that, and that if I didn’t have people such as yourselves to learn from I would have terrible habbits by now, or even be squished under a c*r somewhere.
Now I don’t have to take the test, I think its a good thing. I know people are moaning about it, but one of the things, I believe, that kept me out of trouble was doing a bikesafe course. Which was my decision, and isn’t required by law. Technically it wasn’t my decision, it was the idea of the police officer that pulled us for speeding, but you get the jist.
The current DAS is crap, it teaches you how to keep the bike upright and moving, but thats it. They don’t even mention counter steering which is a key part of bike control.
whilst on the subject of tests
im looking at going for my direct access (full test and CBT included) any ideas how much it costs??
obviously it varies but i was under the impression it would be between 400-500 of the queens shiney gold coins but then i was told of a place that does them for around £350 :S
does it vary that much?
or am i wrong in thinking its so expensive?i feel like ive posted this in the wrong place so i apologise if i have
Welcome to the site matt. I passed my test back in the 1980’s when it was fairly simple, luckily for me. Forum members Champs and Born2BMild have both done DAD in the last couple of years. Drop them a PM, I am sure that they would be happy to help.
In the meantime, use this link to help you look around the site
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/great-posts-pics-across-the-site-part-2/
Bikers groups angry over new test
Bikers’ groups have told Newsbeat they’re being ripped off over the new motorcycle test. The tougher exam was meant to start on Monday but has now been put back six months. Despite this, the cost has already gone up from £60 to £80.
The closure of smaller test centres has also sparked angerThousands have booked in and paid for the new test.
Now they’ll be sitting the old one but won’t be refunded the extra £20 they stumped up.
Dave Sharp is from the Motorcycle Action Group.
He said: “I think it’s appalling that riders who are perhaps short of money are not going to be refunded.
“It would make a big difference to those individuals and I think it’s totally unethical.”
This latest row is part of an ongoing saga for bikers.
They’re already angry that dozens of test centres around England, Wales and Scotland are due to be closed down to make way for larger ones.
They say learners will have to travel much farther just to take their test.
The so-called super test centres are being built to fit in with a new European law which aims to make the roads safer.
For the first time, the test will include off-road manoeuvres because the existing centres aren’t big enough.
The Driving Standards Agency denies that bikers are being ripped off.
It insists the cost of taking the test was going up anyway and isn’t linked to the introduction of the new exam.
But Dave Sharp still thinks it’s unfair.
He said: “Twenty quid on a motorbike’s a full tank of petrol.
“Depending on the bike, it might get you up to 120 miles, so it is a significant amount of money. It’s a nice little earner for the government.”
Report from BBC News Web Site
quote:
Originally posted by matt parinwhilst on the subject of tests
im looking at going for my direct access (full test and CBT included) any ideas how much it costs??
obviously it varies but i was under the impression it would be between 400-500 of the queens shiney gold coins but then i was told of a place that does them for around £350 :S
does it vary that much?
or am i wrong in thinking its so expensive?i feel like ive posted this in the wrong place so i apologise if i have
Hi Matt glad to have you aboard, keep us updated on your test activities. What kind of machine would you eventually be looking for?
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