Defensive driver course? [Archive]

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Stromble

27th December 2007, 11:14

has anyone done this?

I got my learners 6 months ago, been riding a dl650 (with ltsa exemption) taking restricted next week. then I have to do the DDT course so i can take my full within 4 months so i can keep ridin the dl..

Anyone done this? or got any good info etc.. ta..

Matt_TG

27th December 2007, 11:22

I did a Def driving course to reduce my 6R to 3 months (after 11 years on a 6L... ). It's very teenaged car driver orientated (I had 20 years on the other class participants!), however I believe I did get something out of it. There's not really anything at all about bikes, mind you it doesn't go through how to drive a car either. It's more about the driver/rider - knowing what to look for, including knowing when you present a hazard to yourself.

Cost was $170, 4 x 2 hours classroom lessons then 30 mins of road driving with instructor.

Luckylegs

27th December 2007, 11:29

Yeh, I did it to reduce my license time down. Did mine through the AA. It really is a "no wrong answer" type affair. You turn up, participate and its a sure thing.

Its definately not motorbile specific obviously and focus is on general "common sense" road use stuff. That said, while I didnt get much out of it as far as the bike goes, one of the modules did get me thinking about some of my attitude when driving the cage, so....

You do a practical as well with an instructor. This felt a bit like a lisence test but again they were only looking for common sense and making sure you dont drive like a police officer (IE no dodgy u-turns etc etc).

...The only other thing you'll find interesting is (judging by your age in your profile) passing the hours in a room full of spotty faced, rubber legged teenagers....

Good luck (you wont need it)

grusomhat

3rd January 2008, 19:24

I'm going to sit one soon hopefully so I can get my cage Full. I wonder if It would count towards my 6L when the time comes. Be bloody annoying if it doesn't.

fireliv

3rd January 2008, 19:33

I'm going to sit one soon hopefully so I can get my cage Full. I wonder if It would count towards my 6L when the time comes. Be bloody annoying if it doesn't.

I think that it depends how soon you sit ure bike full. I think it has to be within 6 months, but not 100%

homer

3rd January 2008, 19:52

Stromble

4th January 2008, 18:38

Why do you get an exemption for a 650?
and how do you get one

I tried a couple of 250's, didnt feel that comfortable on them being 6'5 tall and 105KGs. The guy I did the basic skills test told me about applying for an exemption, basically a DL4 form from the AA shop filled out explaining the situation and a picture of me sat on a GN250.. looked like a pocket pit bike.!

They called about 2 weeks later and discussed with me and basically asked what I wanted to ride etc, they sent me a temp exemption for a weekend to ride any bike upto 650cc and asked me to get back to them with the bike I wanted (only condition was that it wasnt a sports bike) I went and rode a few, chose the DL650 and called them back and they said ok.

Took about another 2 weeks and I got a letter to accompany my license allowing me to ride the chosen DL-650 for the duration of my learners and have to take the restricted within 7 months followed by the ddc and the full within another 4 months..

homer

4th January 2008, 21:50

I tried a couple of 250's, didnt feel that comfortable on them being 6'5 tall and 105KGs. The guy I did the basic skills test told me about applying for an exemption, basically a DL4 form from the AA shop filled out explaining the situation and a picture of me sat on a GN250.. looked like a pocket pit bike.!

They called about 2 weeks later and discussed with me and basically asked what I wanted to ride etc, they sent me a temp exemption for a weekend to ride any bike upto 650cc and asked me to get back to them with the bike I wanted (only condition was that it wasnt a sports bike) I went and rode a few, chose the DL650 and called them back and they said ok.

Took about another 2 weeks and I got a letter to accompany my license allowing me to ride the chosen DL-650 for the duration of my learners and have to take the restricted within 7 months followed by the ddc and the full within another 4 months..

Very good and cleaver
wish i had tried that some time long ago
seems pointless to me that you have to have a 250 when there just as fast ....with in reason ....to a bigger bike