Sitting my restricted

[Blossom]

Ok so I just booked my restricted test for Friday at 1.45pm in Pukekohe.

I am sooo freaken anxious about it.:crybaby::sweatdrop I have an anxiety condition and boy am I feeling it right now. I dont do tests well..any tests.. pregnancy tests, hearing tests, blood tests any sort of tests.. and this one is doing me in. :Playnice:
I have put off booking it for nearly 2 weeks and the man has booked us for a weekend away this weekend for our anniversary and I would so love to be able to take the bike without the L plate. So i finally booked it despite my nerves.

Now... Apparently there is a new testing officer in Pukekohe who is quite nice so that is good. I am going to talk to them about my concerns regarding being hearing impaired and using the ear piece for directions. So thats sorted..sortof.
All thats left now is to get some advice from you lot.
I know they like you to do a U turn which is fine I live at the end of a cul de sac so I can practice that easy as, even if I will embarrass myself in front of the local kids.
What else should I be practicing for the restricted test?

Thanks for listening.. stupid rant over...

[Stirts]

I am sooo freaken anxious about it.:crybaby::sweatdrop I have an anxiety condition and boy am I feeling it right now.

Just relax Sweetpea. Best thing I ever did was ride the route that they were testing me on. If you can find that out! If not just go for a little pootle prior to your test....I found it REALLY calmed me nerves.


GOOD LUCK!!! I AM SURE YOU WILL DO FINE!!!!!

[Blossom]

Anyone know what the route is for Pukekohe? I have tried to no avail to find out already.

[CookMySock]

Perhaps you can go see him a week before, and just tell him how you are feeling. It always helps to say how we feel.

The week before your test, ride, ride, ride, and ride some more, until you find it totally boring. The day before, take a break, and then just do the test. It's just a quiet pootle around the streets - no more! Remember that you know all this stuff. I don't think you will be asked to do U turn, but it sounds like you are good at those anyways. ;)

I you must have chemical assistance, go to your health shop and ask them "what are essential fatty acids?" and buy some. Take a big handful before your test. Instant chillout.

Also remember, there are two types of tests - one where you must show them your best effort and be graded on it, and one where you must simply exceed the required standard. The restricted test is of the second type, so remind yourself that KNOW IT ALL, and that with your skills, you VASTLY exceed the standard ALREADY, and this is simply an administrative step onwards.

You will ace it completely, you will see. It's only your nerves that will get in the way, and you will get past them just fine.

HTH,
Steve

[Blossom]

Thanks DB..
Some excellent advice there..
The test is in 4 days so am practicing lots everyday.
and rest assured... no need for a trip to the health shop. I have plenty of chill out pills. I just dont like to use them unless absolutely neceasary.. which may be on Friday. :lol: nervous giggle.

[firefighter]

yeah you have to do a U-turn- and if it's anything like mine I was on a really narrow back-road in a 100km area, turning off gravel on the left (where I had stopped) onto the road and gravel on the other side with a "country road" style drop from the road to the gravel either side.....lol, I fucked it up a little but I passed without a word, it's pretty easy really it's certainly not worth worrying about

[doozy]

I sat mine about 3 months ago (the same kind of thing applies to the full test ride though)

All I did (and its been said) was practice ... lots and lots of practice, you can look on the ltsa.govt.nz site and it will tell you what to expect from the test, practice all of those things ... to be honest I was quite a bundle of nerves about it as well (I think its natural) but because I knew I'd done all I could (as far as practice goes) it did help, also I was only tested on about half the stuff I practiced so that helped the old confidence level alot. So the only real advice I have is practice alot and during the actual test just remember to take your time, be sensible and you'll be fine :)

[davebullet]

I'm the same when it comes to tests, presentations or any type of "pressure" situation.

Two things I say to myself (to make me believe in myself):

1. Tell yourself that you always assume the worst and that NEVER happens. Did you panic about the BHS? What about the learners? Did you find them easier than you thought? The restricted WILL BE THE SAME. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that (Basically, give yourself a telling off for being over the top / silly).

2. You booked the test because deep down you KNOW you are ready.

We look forward to the posting when you ace it, the relief and wondering what you thought was so hard. I don't need to wish you luck, as you know you don't need it. You know you have the skills.

David.

[CookMySock]

:lol: nervous giggle.hawhaw, good to see you giggling about it. You will be giggling a whole lot more on your way home from the test! :done:

Steve

[Blossom]

hawhaw, good to see you giggling about it. You will be giggling a whole lot more on your way home from the test! :done:

Steve

Actually i am expecting that on the way home if I ace it, I will be screaming with relief and happiness so loud the old ladies walking up the main road will think someone nearby just won lotto....:laugh:a manical type of laughter I expect...

[mattian]

Honestly, you have nothing to worry about. Just relax and remember not to go above the speed limit. Obey the road rules.... and turn your head and look around alot. head check your blind spot..... left to right when stopped etc etc. Just relax and ride the way you normally do.
I thought I would show extra caution during my test and I stopped at every give way sign....... he told me off for that. Told me that if I was in a car that he would have failed me for "impedeing the flow of traffic"

[chester]

go for a long ride just before ya test to help settle ya nerves, it worked for me. :calm:

[FLYMO]

ur long ride was the 40kms to go for the test lol

[Scorpygirl]

Hi Blossom

All the very, very best for the restricted. There is a sticky on KB all about the restricted test and what is required - http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30570

Big hugz and ups to you.

[varminter]

The earliest I can do my restricted is 15th November, I'm using the intervening time to get really edgy.:crybaby: Wish you the best of luck.

[Blossom]

The earliest I can do my restricted is 15th November, I'm using the intervening time to get really edgy.:crybaby: Wish you the best of luck.

You too.. there are heaps of available slots in Franklin.. only booked mine thismorning and still got an appointment this week.

Hi Blossom

All the very, very best for the restricted. There is a sticky on KB all about the restricted test and what is required - http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30570

Big hugz and ups to you.

Thanks so much... i did look but well .... must of been a bit of a man look.. I missed it.
THANKS +1

[Scorpygirl]

You too.. there are heaps of available slots in Franklin.. only booked mine thismorning and still got an appointment this week.


Thanks so much... i did look but well .... must of been a bit of a man look.. I missed it.
THANKS +1

No worries. Glad to help out. :)

[BiK3RChiK]

All the best Blossom! You'll do just fine.... BTW, I didn't have to do the u-turn. The testing officer here just made me do the streets which included stops, give ways, roundabouts and a hill start. I didn't know the route, but it was easy peasy!

[Blossom]

Went for a practice ride tonight. Man I hate round-a-bouts. Pukekohe is full of them. No traffic lights all flaming round-a-bouts.
Why is it I can do U-turns in less than 4mtrs of space, do figure 8's easy as but as soon as I come across a round-a-bout my riding turns to shite. grrr....
It wouldn't be so bad but they are like the smallest round-a-bouts you can make. Just a 4 way intersection with a blardy stupid circle of concrete laid in the middle of it.
Annoyed now... more practice tomorrow.

[boman]

Sat mine 3 weeks ago in Puke. Easy peasy. Just relax and treat it as tho you are going out for a ride. The Intercomm he gives you means that you only have to concentrate on your riding and the road users and not on where to go next, he tells you that. Just remember to obey all the road rules, indicate out of roundabouts and come to complete stop at stop signs.:rockon:

[CookMySock]

Man I hate round-a-bouts.Keep doing things you hate until you are bored with them. With roundabouts, keep just a little bit more speed on and just countersteer with the bars - its easy. Steer everywhere with the bars - no toppling around corners now!

You do have to be completely fluent with it all for the test, so ride, ride, ride, and ride some more. Its easy - forget about practicing, and just ride everywhere, all the time. Do all your errands on your bike - don't think - just ride it.

Steve

[Dealer]

make sure all your lights work before you go, otherwise he wont let you sit the test. The restricted test is fairly easy, no hazard assessment just checking riding skills. if in doubt err on the side of caution. and yeah, lots of exadurated head movements so they can see that you are looking around.

[firefighter]

Went for a practice ride tonight. Man I hate round-a-bouts. Pukekohe is full of them. No traffic lights all flaming round-a-bouts.
Why is it I can do U-turns in less than 4mtrs of space, do figure 8's easy as but as soon as I come across a round-a-bout my riding turns to shite. grrr....
It wouldn't be so bad but they are like the smallest round-a-bouts you can make. Just a 4 way intersection with a blardy stupid circle of concrete laid in the middle of it.
Annoyed now... more practice tomorrow.

I think I know why, as I had similar probs when I was newer to riding, make sure your looking at where your going, I bet your looking down a little instead of the exit your taking right? (I found myself doing this, remedied it and now it's all gooooood!)

Next time you take a round-about think about what iv'e just written here, are you looking at the exit? Or down at the ground a bit? lol, I still have to conciously look at the exit that's why i'm thinking it could probably be similar to me, just a thought anyway.

P.s, iv'e just passed my full yesturday, it was easy, trust me your restricted will be sweet, and try the round-about thing again!

All the best :2thumbsup

[Blossom]

Sat mine 3 weeks ago in Puke. Easy peasy. Just relax and treat it as tho you are going out for a ride. The Intercomm he gives you means that you only have to concentrate on your riding and the road users and not on where to go next, he tells you that.

Thanks for that. I am not sure if I will be able to use the headset due to my hearing impairment, but hopefully it will be ok.


Keep doing things you hate until you are bored with them. With roundabouts, keep just a little bit more speed on and just countersteer with the bars - its easy. Steer everywhere with the bars - no toppling around corners now!

You do have to be completely fluent with it all for the test, so ride, ride, ride, and ride some more. Its easy - forget about practicing, and just ride everywhere, all the time. Do all your errands on your bike - don't think - just ride it.

Steve
I have been riding everywhere... and it is getting easier...slowly


I think I know why, as I had similar probs when I was newer to riding, make sure your looking at where your going, I bet your looking down a little instead of the exit your taking right? (I found myself doing this, remedied it and now it's all gooooood!)

Next time you take a round-about think about what iv'e just written here, are you looking at the exit? Or down at the ground a bit? lol, I still have to conciously look at the exit that's why i'm thinking it could probably be similar to me, just a thought anyway.

Just got back from a ride and yeah your right. I am looking down.. keep thinking I will hit a pot hole or go over the edge of the roundabout.
So tried looking at the exit and it was easier.. thanks. Gonna go out again once the man is home.

[firefighter]

Thanks for that. I am not sure if I will be able to use the headset due to my hearing impairment, but hopefully it will be ok.
.

Hmmmm, they can adjust the volume and you test it before you go, mine slipped off my ear straight away in the helmet when I put it on (typical) but it was a relief as even though it was almost falling out of the helmet the bastard thing was crazy loud and clear as mud.Otherwise, you only have to remember like 2-4 turns to take then pull-over, so either way it's pretty sweet.

[Blossom]

As long as the testing officer is nice and maybe a little bit friendly then I will be fine. I just dont handle rude people well especially ones who are intolerant of hearing impaired people. Thats a biggie for me. But given an extra 2 mins of time to check everything works will be a big help.

[Blossom]

Right so my test is at 1.45pm so wish me luck all. Went for a long ride last night and am feeling a bit more confident now (sortof) So wish me luck.:niceone:

[Tank]

Right so my test is at 1.45pm so wish me luck all. Went for a long ride last night and am feeling a bit more confident now (sortof) So wish me luck.:niceone:

Best of luck - Im sure you will ace it!

Remember - a few glasses of wine beforehand may settle the nerves but is generally frowned upon by the testers :argh:

I look forward to your "I passed it" post later this afternoon.

[FJRider]

Right so my test is at 1.45pm so wish me luck all. Went for a long ride last night and am feeling a bit more confident now (sortof) So wish me luck.:niceone:

Good luck... it will be fine. Forget that thousands of KB'rs are awaiting your test report... have a good one...

[Blossom]

Forget that thousands of KB'rs are awaiting your test report

:doh: great...more pressure..:2guns:
just realised the freaken optomitrist didn't stamp the eyesight cert for me... so have to go down early and get it done before my test. :doh:

As for letting you all know... the man and I are going away for the weekend straight after the test... to either celebrate or comiserate... so you may not hear from me till sunday night. :laugh: sorry about that.

[Blossom]

I PASSED!!!!!

The testing officer was a lovely lady. We were going to use the headset but she couldn't find it (it was her 2nd day as tester in Pukekohe) so I just looked out for her indicators in my mirrors.
All went well... Bar a stupid ute which pulled out in front of me going into the 70k zone... I braked, she was happy...
Now the owner of a restricted licence. :done:

Burning of the L plate will commence in Orewa thisevening...
Thanks everyone for your advice, support and general friendliness. :clap:

[Nasty]

Congratulations .... that is great news!!!

[Tank]

wahooooo!!! Congrats !!!!

[FJRider]

Well done... full licence next... plenty of practice needed for that...time to start looking for the bike to trade up to...mmmmmm :niceone: :niceone: :niceone:

[Scorpygirl]

Awesome news Blossom. Go girl. :woohoo: Congratulations!!!! :yes:

[Silvaro]

Well done Blossom! :rockon::D

[davebullet]

Hi Blossom,

What is the situation with glasses and your restricted. Do you have to get your eyes rechecked before your test or something?

Thanks,
Dave.

[Quailboy]

Congrats Blossom :niceone:

Can't wait to sit mine even though its ages away...

[Blossom]

Hi Blossom,

What is the situation with glasses and your restricted. Do you have to get your eyes rechecked before your test or something?

Thanks,
Dave.

Yes when you go for your restricted you have to do the eye test again. After having had a near fail last time I went and saw an optometrist. A couple of weeks ago as I found out if you fail the eye test at the ltsa you cant do the practical test and you dont get your money back. The Optometrist said he thinks my occasional double vision is due to having 'dry eye'. Other than that my sight is all good. So he signed off the eye cert for me and I just gave that to the lady at the ltsa when I did my test.

[BiK3RChiK]

Of course you did! Have faith, chick!:rockon:

[davebullet]

Yes when you go for your restricted you have to do the eye test again. After having had a near fail last time I went and saw an optometrist. A couple of weeks ago as I found out if you fail the eye test at the ltsa you cant do the practical test and you dont get your money back. The Optometrist said he thinks my occasional double vision is due to having 'dry eye'. Other than that my sight is all good. So he signed off the eye cert for me and I just gave that to the lady at the ltsa when I did my test.

Thanks,

I presume when I apply for the restricted, I'll do the obligatory eye test with the machine. My problem is my eyes work independently (like one of those hideous iguana / gecko things) so I need to do the left then right eye trick.

If I pass that, then good enough. I wear my glasses all the time, so doesn't worry me if I have that on my license.

Congrats on passing your R by the way. Out of interest (and apart from that joker pulling out in front of you) - what did the tester ask you to do? Did you do any motorway, u-turns. Did she take you into a carpark for any figure-8 or other slow maneuvering?

Dave.

[slimjim]

..WELL DONE....:jerry:now what was all the worry about....:laugh:.

[Blossom]

Thanks,

Congrats on passing your R by the way. Out of interest (and apart from that joker pulling out in front of you) - what did the tester ask you to do? Did you do any motorway, u-turns. Did she take you into a carpark for any figure-8 or other slow maneuvering?

Dave.

Actually it was a bit weird. There is a bit of a story to it so bare with me.
I asked before the test if we would be going on the motorway and she said "no, why would we?" (sweet!)
She was really nice so I decided to ask exactly what she was looking for...
Her answer surprised me. She said..
Standard road code rules obeyed
indicating out of roundabouts
putting both feet down at a certain time (her exact words)

I then asked if she would be looking at my riding technique at all and she said no. Explained that she wouldn't know bad technique from good as she does not know how to ride anyway and that as long as I rode safely and obeyed the rules I would pass.
I must have looked surprised because she asked me why I thought she would be checking my technique. :laugh:

Anyway.. During test we did the following:
Riding in a 70k zone.
2 U turns, one in town on a wide road, one on a country lane with gravel on either side. (this was the only slow maneuvering and I put my foot down on the country lane.. she either didn't care or didn't notice)
Went through 4 round a bouts, 2 straight ahead, 2 right turns.
One hill start.
2 Stop signs
A couple of give ways, right turns, left turns and a straight ahead.
Done.

She said she was transfered from Takanini and had been doing licensing for months so I guess thats all she normally tests for. The guy who normally does Pukekohe testing has been transfered somewhere else.


..WELL DONE....:jerry:now what was all the worry about....:laugh:.

OCD... Making people worry since ages ago. :laugh:

[boman]

Anyway.. During test we did the following:
Riding in a 70k zone.
2 U turns, one in town on a wide road, one on a country lane with gravel on either side. (this was the only slow maneuvering and I put my foot down on the country lane.. she either didn't care or didn't notice)
Went through 4 round a bouts, 2 straight ahead, 2 right turns.
One hill start.
2 Stop signs
A couple of give ways, right turns, left turns and a straight ahead.
Done.


Man I was lucky then. I didn't have to do a U turn at all. Just a ride in the pouring rain. But in saying that we did go for 20 min ride up hill down dale. Shame you didn't get to use the ear pieces though. Up near the top of Puke hill we picked up some Pink Floyd from somewhere, lasted till we got to Manukau road. When we got back to the testing station the insructor asked me if it was coming from me?

[Blossom]

Man I was lucky then. I didn't have to do a U turn at all. Just a ride in the pouring rain. But in saying that we did go for 20 min ride up hill down dale. Shame you didn't get to use the ear pieces though. Up near the top of Puke hill we picked up some Pink Floyd from somewhere, lasted till we got to Manukau road. When we got back to the testing station the insructor asked me if it was coming from me?

:rockon:Floyd.. nice. lol

I dont mind U turns the vl has a nice tight turning ability. Rather them than those flaming worlds smallest roundabouts in the middle of town.
The whole thing only took 15-20mins. Which was good.

[davebullet]

Hi Blossom,

Thanks for your detailed list of what you did. Hill starts - forgot about them! I tend to be a right foot down person when it comes to stopping. No good for hill starts. I better practice some left foot down for them.

Looking to book my R in a few weeks.

Dave.

[Blossom]

Good luck there Dave.
The nerves really are the worst part. I am sure you will be fine.
Do let us know how you went.

[davebullet]

Man I was lucky then. I didn't have to do a U turn at all.

What I did to overcome my u-turn phobia, is to go to a carpark and practice balanced at near full lock turns at slow manoeuvring speeds. Once you can go around in circles about 5 times without balancing issues (in both directions) then it really helps with your u-turns and you can focus on looking at traffic.

PS: Always keep your head up looking through the tight turn as you would through a bend or round-a-bout - never look down!

Dave.

[davebullet]

Good luck there Dave.
The nerves really are the worst part. I am sure you will be fine.
Do let us know how you went.

Thanks. Yep - I'll submit a new post with the trials and tribulations of my experience.

Out of interest, I wonder what the pass rate is?

Dave.

[Blossom]

The women who tested me said she passes around 80-90% of 6R's. I guess most people dont sit it unless they can ride it.

[boman]

Now all you ned to do is do a defensive driving course. Halve the time to be spent on your restricted. Next one starts in november, in Penrose at Passrite. That means only three months for me till I can ride my new bike. Legally.


:soon: :done: :shit: :2guns:

[davebullet]

Good luck there Dave.
The nerves really are the worst part. I am sure you will be fine.
Do let us know how you went.

Well, I've booked the test for Thursday 23/10 at Kilbirnie. I feel confident in passing it no problems (there - how is that for some pressure...!)

I'll stop highjacking your thread and post one extolling my success afterwards.

Dave.

[Blossom]

Well, I've booked the test for Thursday 23/10 at Kilbirnie. I feel confident in passing it no problems (there - how is that for some pressure...!)

I'll stop highjacking your thread and post one extolling my success afterwards.

Dave.

nah....hijack away.. it makes me feel special. :chase:

the 23rd aye... well nothing like a website full of other bikers to make you perform. Good luck and all that but by the sounds of it you wont need it.
You sound like the poster boy for our local LTNZ office.
"Testing officers dont fail you.. you fail you by not being prepared." (meaning you are mr prepared..well done)
Ba-stards... I must of read that sign a million times while I was waiting for my test.. really started to annoy me. :doh:

[davebullet]

nah....hijack away.. it makes me feel special. :chase:

the 23rd aye... well nothing like a website full of other bikers to make you perform. Good luck and all that but by the sounds of it you wont need it.
You sound like the poster boy for our local LTNZ office.
"Testing officers dont fail you.. you fail you by not being prepared." (meaning you are mr prepared..well done)
Ba-stards... I must of read that sign a million times while I was waiting for my test.. really started to annoy me. :doh:

It sounds a bit like VTNZ with a poster explaining in the interests of safety, they might fail your vehicle.... I suppose they must get some agro types and it is their way of setting expectations? I'd expect the agro types get agro regardless of what the signs say - so why have the damn signs? (The sign does nothing to help put you at ease).

I won't post a new thread since I think this forum doesn't need "another 6r passed" one started. However, if I fail... I'll have to post that!

Did some more uphill / downhill u-turns and uphill starts in the weekend. Need to focus on keeping at / below the speed limit and making mirror checks obvious for the test. I should be ok.

My test is in the middle of the day - so roads should be quiet.. Off to complete the application process!

Thanks,
Dave.

[davebullet]

Just got back from the 6R test and passed. Testing officer said it was a good ride, but to remember to check those side streets a bit more.

I pootled around kilbirnie , through a couple of quiet streets. Missed one of his instructions through the headset (taxi cross-talk) and took the next right. Got him a car behind through the mt. vic tunnel and pulled over so he could catch up.

No hill start test, but just 2 u-turns back to back in a side street. Traffic angle parked on both sides which made that "fun" - but no wobbles and no feet down.

Good to be moving on on the license front.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Blossom]

Just got back from the 6R test and passed.
Cheers,
Dave.

Hey well done. Congratulations! Enjoy burning that L plate. :yes:

[davebullet]

Thanks Blossom,

Unfortunately, my better half is still a learner and we share the bike... so the l-plate will still be proudly displayed for a while yet! After all, it's hard letting go of something you've had for SEVENTEEN YEARS! :laugh:

[Blossom]

Thanks Blossom,

Unfortunately, my better half is still a learner and we share the bike... so the l-plate will still be proudly displayed for a while yet! After all, it's hard letting go of something you've had for SEVENTEEN YEARS! :laugh:

17years!!!! dude... scary. I thought I took my time :2thumbsup
Well good luck to the better half on getting her 6r in the future then.:banana:

[hayd3n]

congrats:2thumbsup:2thumbsup

[davebullet]

17years!!!! dude... scary. I thought I took my time :2thumbsup
Well good luck to the better half on getting her 6r in the future then.:banana:

Thanks, I'll pass that on. She underrates her ability (she's actually better on the bike than me, but don't let that on! I just use male ego to think I'm better :laugh: )

I first got my L- license in 1991 so I could ride a step through yamaha 2-stroke around chch. (great we bike it was). Then stopped riding for 17 years. Decided to get back into it 2 months ago, bought the gear, a bike and now loving it... 17 years lost in some ways.... but 30+ more to enjoy!