Restricted test post-mortem

[Neon]

Passed my restricted test at Northcross (Brown's Bay) this afternoon, thought I'd share my experience for those looking forward to it...

Sat the test at 4pm, which was a good time as traffic was moderate without being too heavy, being between school finish and 5pm work traffic. 'Twas raining, which I was stressing about a little but some ways it was good as I was very concious of my speed.

The tester was a good bloke, clearly had some bike experience which was good. He warned me of some basic errors that people make during the test:

1/ Both feet must be put down when completely stopped for lights, stop signs etc.

2/ Make sure you indicate coming out of roundabouts - this is not something I do all the time (particularly when going straight through) and I had to conciously remind myself to do it.

3/ Watch your speed. Goes without saying, although he seemed unconcerned about being a few k's over.

The loop we did was here (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=955612066144736020,-36.716949,174.723488%3B16154025891675361860,-36.704779,174.717546%3B11827306795481871993,-36.711181,174.702273%3B10615867122385076616,-36.716991,174.723867&saddr=Andersons+Rd+%40-36.716949,+174.723488&daddr=Lonely+Track+Rd+%40-36.704779,+174.717546+to:Lonely+Track+Rd+%40-36.711181,+174.702273+to:-36.724886,174.697616+to:Andersons+Rd+%40-36.716991,+174.723867&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=16&via=1,2,3&jsv=107&sll=-36.726193,174.698389&sspn=0.009631,0.016286&ie=UTF8&ll=-36.714738,174.710855&spn=0.03853,0.065145&z=14)

Probably the only things that caught me by surprise were the unfamiliar Lonely Track Rd in the wet, and the significant roadworks on Gill Rd. Other than that there is a check on their list for 'pulling over to a stop in a 50km/h zone', and another for 'pulling over to a stop in a 70-100km/h zone'. Obvously you need to make sure you look over your shoulder before pulling away.

Hope this is of help!

:apint:

[marioc]

nice one,got mine in 3 weeks cheers

[Grub]

Well doneon the restricted Andy. Interesting "must-do's". I didn'y know you had to have both feet down at a stop/lights. I'm iguring this isn't a road-code thing, just a demo for the tester that you have actually, completely stopped?

[fizbin]

nice dude!
Congrats on moving up:first:

[Ragingrob]

Nice one bro, maybe you should come say hello to the uni club somtime!

[musicman]

Congratulations, man!

I did mine last Friday (11th) and my route was East Coast Rd -> Sartors Ave -> Glencoe Rd -> Beach Rd -> Carlisle Rd -> Oteha Valley Rd -> SH1 -> Greville Rd -> East Coast Rd, which, although is a bigger loop, I would think is easier than the route you did...

My tester didn't say anything about both feet down or indicating though. The only thing I remember before the test is him telling me to keep my speed up because apparently a problem with motorcycles is going too slow and holding up other road users... :blink:

[sweetp]

That is super, well done, now just the long haul to the full.....

[Radar]

Andy, what sort of U Turn did he have you do? On a busy street or parking area, and did you stop before doing the U turn?

[BiK3RChiK]

It seems to me that testing officers probably have their little pet issues, and his one is the two feet down at stops... Good write-up dood.

All the best with riding and going for the full!

[Jekkyl]

I passed mine yesterday. Was very easy, tester was an alright guy.

Mine took me all of 10 mins, had to do 2 figure 8's in a carpark without putting feet down and went round a very short circuit with a few stop signs and a school. I didnt put both feet down and he didnt say anything.

I arrived about 30mins early and was trying to get across Quay street traffic to the AA, zipped through and went in the exit instead of the entrance, sure enough he saw me and told me off :spanking:

His only condition was if I lost him I failed lol

[chubby]

Andy and Jekkel, Congrats on passing. Good on you guys.

[YAMASAKI]

Sounds like you had a good tester, mine was absolutely useless, had obviously never been on a bike before. He didn't tell me where to ride(no headset either) and told me to look in my rear view mirrors and see which way he was indicating to find out which way to turn, great idea when approaching busy intersections....not. I don't know how I ever passed.
So if you're going to sit your restricted in Wellington, avoid the testing place in Kilbirnie. I actually wrote a letter to the complaints people about it, voicing my concerns about his testing methods.

In complete contrast I sat my Full a couple of weeks ago and it was fine, the guy was clear with directions(still without headset), he'd obviously ridden a bike before. that was the AA tester in Lower Hutt, I wish I had gone there the first time.

[Gman71]

Great to hear, I sit mine there on May 5. :eek5:

I ride Lonely Track rd all the time so I have problems if he takes me there.

hope to have my nerves under control by then.

[firefighter]

I did mine at AA westgate, and my tester was bloody awesome, really really clear instructions, told me to ride at between 55-60km! But one thing is my U-turn was on a bloody back country 100km/hr rd, and I was on the gravel on the left, it was a really really narrow road and gravel on the other side! needless to say I just pulled over onto the gravel on the other side then moved off from there, was no-way I could make the turn otherwise. Over all the test was piss easy.

[Number One]

Thanks Andyr - I got mine in 2 weeks.....I hate tests - know my riding is well up to scratch but don't we all fear failure?!

[jrandom]

Both feet must be put down when completely stopped for lights, stop signs etc.

What utter bollocks.

[Number One]

What utter bollocks.

I concur good sir.

I will only put both my feet down when there is alot of wind and I feel the need to really plant myself as I wait at lights OR for my restricted test :bleh:
...if this is really the rule? OR was it just this testers recommendation?

[jrandom]

I will only put both my feet down when there is alot of wind and I feel the need to really plant myself as I wait at lights OR for my restricted test :bleh:
...if this is really the rule? OR was it just this testers recommendation?

Mm, yes. A tester failing a rider for not putting both feet down is like a tester failing a car driver for holding the steering wheel at ten-to-two instead of quarter-to-three.

Just plain wrong.

[musicman]

Great to hear, I sit mine there on May 5. :eek5:

How come your one is so far away? I went in to AA on Friday 4th and was told I could do it the following Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (9th - 11th). And if I wanted to do it at Quay St I'd have to wait until the 24th.

[Neon]

Andy, what sort of U Turn did he have you do? On a busy street or parking area, and did you stop before doing the U turn?

Actually, I didn't have to do one at all.


His only condition was if I lost him I failed lol

We discussed this before we started and agreed that if he got caught at lights or whatever I would pull over and wait. I missed a couple of turns but it wasn't a problem.


What utter bollocks.

Supposedly this is so that the tester can see from a distance that you have come to a complete stop. But no, I don't believe that it constitutes a fail.

Incidentally, the tester questioned my shifting around of bodyweight on the seat through a few (wet and probably slippery) corners. I just smiled and nodded although this was a deliberate action to keep the bike more upright. This was his only feedback.

[Xaria]

Glad peoples tests have gone well. I need to take a morning off to get mine. So waiting to get boss in good mood first... :whistle:

[mapsanji]

Anything on full protective clothing..?? A must or not.... as my test is in June.

[Neon]

There are no specific requirements, but I wouldn't rock up in shorts and a t-shirt if that's what you mean :lol:

To my test I wore full gear and a hi-viz vest to show what a responsible and safety concious rider I am. :rolleyes:

[EZAS]

With regards to having both feet down ... At pass right (or whatever that riding course is called), they said to have your left foot down, right foot on the rear brake and front brake on as well. If your hit from behind you will be able to keep better control of the bike if your brakes are on. Of course .. most people I've seen, try rather hard to avoid having to come to a complete stop.

[WierNixie]

Passed my restricted test at Northcross (Brown's Bay) this afternoon, thought I'd share my experience for those looking forward to it...

1/ Both feet must be put down when completely stopped for lights, stop signs etc.

2/ Make sure you indicate coming out of roundabouts - this is not something I do all the time (particularly when going straight through) and I had to conciously remind myself to do it.

3/ Watch your speed. Goes without saying, although he seemed unconcerned about being a few k's over.

<snip>
:apint:
I went to Northcross as well. The guy was fantastic. His instruction for stopping though, was to remember to put your feet down, as some people had been so nervous that they had slowed down to a stop and fallen over (at the scheduled stops during the test).
I went at 08:00 on a weekday morning, was fine at that time too.