What's involved in the full test?

[DuLuX]

I have recently moved out to Kapiti from Welly and stopped riding the Ginny as i didnt feel safe overtaking with the total lack of acceleration and top speed.

Anyway I have teed up my full test (currently on restricted license) in 3 weeks and would like to know whats involved. Have read up on the actual bits n bobs on the transport site - but hoping for some actual real work examples of what you had to do and if it was at all difficult?

A few things i am worried about are:

u - turns: anything special about this i should know, certain amount of time to wait before turning etc?
"turn right at an uncontrolled intersection" : not really sure what thats referring to and not being a kiwi is this the weird rule where you give way to your right?
is it like the restricted where you have an earpiece and they give you instructions etc?
What potential routes will i be taking so i can have a wee practice so im not blind sided by anything? its at the Kapiti Lights AA in Paraparaumu.

i may be overthinking it and it may be a piece of piss but hoping for a bit of sage advice from some of you old timers

Cheers!

p.s. gonna buy a 650 if the test goes to plan - thinking a used sv650 or someone recommended a trans alp. any other similar bikes that i might be able to pick up for preferably not much more than 5k?
Thanks!

[YLWDUC]

Gidday,

I may not be very helpful, as when I sat my FUll in Palmy it was with the same instructor that did my restricted. I rode around a few 50/70 and 100 kmhr zones for about 25 minutes. And that was it!

What is supposed to happen is a ride around, but either during it or at certain stages the instructor is supposed to ask you about the hazards you observed during the ride.

The best tip I remember reading in previous posts is to make sure you keep looking around, even if you can see your mirrors without moving your helmet. That, and make sure the bike is 100% roadworthy

A 650 is a pretty sweet ride, I've got a Ninja 650R at the moment after moving up from a 400. I reckon an SV650 will be a bit cheaper as there's more of them available in NZ. Go for the transalp or a 660 single if you want to do the occasional or regular gravel roads, and the SV if you're only after roads (and maybe a track day!)

Anyway, that's my two cents. Hope it's helpful

[grusomhat]

Best advice is to be a model citizen. Full head checks, staying under the speed limit (no more than 5km/h) and pay attention to road signs.

U-turns: If you want to look good and it's something you should do anyway as it's good practice, indicate to pull out, allow plenty of room (don't try and fit into a small gap even if you could) once on the otherside, pull over to the side, indicate again to pull out, headcheck and then pull out into the flow of the traffic. DON'T put your foot down at all during the U-turn.

Stop signs mean STOP. Make sure you have the giveway to your right down pact.


Don't sweat it too much though, it's not difficult if you've been riding for a while.

[Hawkeye]

They generally tell you when they are going to test you for hazards. At least they did for me. Stopped at the side of the road, explained what was coming next and 30 secs later, ask me the hazards.
If you have been riding regular for a while, it is nothing new. Just go to a car park and practice U-turns for 15 mins and you will be ok.
One thing I did was to adjust the mirrors just slightly so that I couldn't just glance. Forced me to make it obvious I was checking mirrors and always head check after checking mirrors.
Other than that, nothing hard about it.

[Pegasus]

I did mine this week. I over thought it, and by the time i turned up there I wanted to be sick. The usual stuff before you start. If like me you struggle with the eye sight testing machine. Get a letter from your optician first. I only just passed that part. Checks will be done on your bike; WOF, rego, indicators, brakes, light etc.

Test itself pretty easy, Indicating, Give Ways, Stop signs, obeying road rules etc. I booked mine for 9.00am because the traffic here in Palmerston dies down for an hour or so. Yes you will have to do a U turn, that is in a 50K zone. i practiced in a car park and made myself do realy tight U turns, but had to do one on a main road, so even that ended up being easy.

After the U turn, I had to pull up and describe the hazzards I had seen. Your Tester is a Hazzard.

I am sure you will do fine. If I can do it anyone can (I have only been riding since January & only at weekends)

[CookMySock]

You just ride around like you know what you're doing, which of course you do by now, so there will be no problem!

The examiner just wants to see if you are competant and confident, and can ride without breaking the law. Thats it. Yes, you must be able to do a U turn, and all the other commonly used motorcycle manoeuvres, but you have been practicing these so you will be fine.

If you have ridden here for some time without knowing the the turning rules, then you are asking for a traffic incident, and I'd suggest you bought a copy of the roadcode and studied it until you got it.

Steve

[davebullet]

The hazard check was the main difference for me from the restricted test.

I did mine at Kilbirnie. I did general riding for about 10 minutes including a 70kph section, then the tester asked me to pull over, got out and told me he wanted me to ride up the street, pull over and u-turn. Come back pull over and u-turn again returning to him and describing all the hazards. A bus pulled out in front of me and I had to emergency stop during the first u-turn. The tester smiled when I came back and I said "did you see that one?" and he grinned. I then did another 10 minutes riding. Pulled over and passed me. All up about 35 minutes.

Don't speed but don't crawl along either. Within 5kph of the speed limit is a good suggestion.

I never did any hill starts and never got quizzed on the road code (which one guy I spoke to has). Just to be safe, I'd recommend brushing up on your road code anyway beforehand. Things like speed past a school etc... you may need to observe anyway during the practical test - so good to recheck those speeds (I've forgotten already!).

Anyway, good luck!

[crazyhorse]

p.s. gonna buy a 650 if the test goes to plan - thinking a used sv650

Good luck with the test............. Good choice of bike, this one

[junkmanjoe]

i may be overthinking it and it may be a piece of piss but hoping for a bit of sage advice from some of you old timers

Cheers!

Hi. do the test in masterton.....early afternoon on a week day.....you would see about 10 cars 20 people and maybe a cat.....
its a walk the park getting a licence over here..

remmber to look in your mirrors, as the tester may ask you what was behind you at some stage...
he did up here, and i sad....you are.....

good luck...

JMJ