Failed twice on my restrict test

[FJRider]

I've managed to pass the classes 1 and 6 R and F tests in NZ first time round and I've never had an accurate speedo on any of those vehicles.

The OP claimed in the first post he was speeding ... and was sure he wasn't. Knowing the amount of (in)accuracy of his speedo will help him in future.

[DODO``]

Ive done my restricted last week at the same place, I think I know that lady tester, shes got white sedan cage right?

anyway, OPs post is like seeing me back when I was 16-17, and failed to get my practical test for my car. I was like "What the fk?! Ive been driving daily with no accident for 2 whole year now?! and they are just trying to rip people off!!"
haha I still think think they do but back then I was making the same mistakes as you did and I did not want to admit it or not even come to realise that i was wrong.. but it was.

There are number of key points that the testers actually look for in the test. (couple of you mentioned in original post). Following the signs and conditions of the road goes without saying, the fact that you have to argue with following the basic road signs is not good!

I had a similar issue like you with my cage (kept failing for no reason,, I thought..), and I resorted on private driving lesson,
a week before the test.
-1 hr lesson.
-set in the car for 1/2 an hour discussing what the tester is looking for with pen & paper.
-30 min drive around.
-pass the test easy. with compliment from the tester "there should be more people like you on the road"

this was like 10 years ago but yeah, Id suggest you learn about those points! where ever you learn it! all the best with your next one!

and one thing, I was going (based on my speedo) over 70km and near 80km.. (78 ish km ) on 80km zone.. tester didnt say anything about learns speed limit..

[DODO``]

Its a shame lonley track road is so built up now, that was an awesome road to learn to ride a bike on when I was growing up.

I had my first cage crash there, drove it into the ditch. hahaha

[unstuck]

I had my first cage crash there, drove it into the ditch. hahaha

Was a good road back in the day, most of it was gravel then. I have killed a few cars along there,anglia, victor, morry mk1 and 2 escorts and 2 mk 3 cortinas and dads brand new mk4 cortina station wagon

As you were sorry.

[DODO``]

Was a good road back in the day, most of it was gravel then. I have killed a few cars along there,anglia, victor, morry mk1 and 2 escorts and 2 mk 3 cortinas and dads brand new mk4 cortina station wagon

As you were sorry.

hahaha good, O'brien Rd just on the other side of Dairy Flat highway is another excellent road to kill some more cars

[tbs]

Bummer man.
Two things: Yes, there used to be a 70km speed limit on the 6L licence, but even then it did not apply to you while sitting the 6R test. That was the first time you were officially allowed to do the correct safe speed for the open road. So even if the restriction still existed she would still be wrong.
Secondly, when I sat my 6R (in Ak City) I asked the instructor if his speedo accuracy was corrected. He said it was, so I explained I was pretty sure mine was a fair way out so I'd appreciate a heads-up if I was going too quick. This worked. His speedo read high just like mine if those stationary speed trap digital readings are anything to go by, but he did tell me I was going too quick at one point so I backed it off to a crawl.

I did my 6F up at Browns Bay and the instructor (just like the one in the city) knew absolutely nothing about riding a bike. He couldn't fault the legality of my riding. That was perfect, but he criticized the lines I was taking. He couldn't understand why I'd ride around the outside of a curve or move around in the lane so much. I took the time to explain about sight lines and so-on but he just couldn't get his head around it. Even at the 6R test at one point I had the instructor telling me off. I was slowing down waiting for him to catch up after an intersection, and I had my left arm resting on the tank. He told me to put my hand back on the bar. That actually told me about all I needed to know. Don't expect testers to show any imagination or understanding outside of the letter of the law. If they can fail you they will.

Good luck next time.

[Tricia1000]

Hey thats a shame. Pre-empting a speed sign is definitely a no-no. Roadworks speedlimits are mandatory.
If you would like to do some training before sitting your next restricted licence (don't give up yet), give me a shout at 021 269 3246 (I have a 100% pass rate, even though the testing centre has only 40%) I can assure you, you will get through next time. You could try Orewa for your next test. It has a lovely test route, and the testing officers know what to look for......

Tricia

I can't believe I failed twice on my restrict exam in Northcross test centre. I've been driving 50+/day safe and reliable all the time for 8months already. The first one I went was on the end of March. The reason of failure was when I tried to turn left on 80K open highway, I reduced speed too much in the middle of the lane, instead of I should pull left first and then reduced speed. This is a bit hard, as I didn't familiar with the road, kept speed limit 80K at the same time I had to look for a street to turn left when the test officer asked me to "turn left at the next street". So about in month time after this, I practiced a lot in Browns bay area to get familiar of the road.

But somehow I still failed today. I was told I got 100% positive at the first test section. The reason of failure was I was riding 40K on 30K temporary area during the second section. I totally disagree with the officer. I am sure I definitely reduced my speed to 30K from 50K just reached sign. And increased the speed just after "work end" sign, I saw there was a permanent 50K sign after it at 20meters away. She told me I had to increase my speed after the 50K sign - I increased my speed too early. Is this correct?

And another thing is she told me in the instruction just before we started "as you are learner, you can't over the speed limit 80K!" What?? Where the speed limit 80K come from? The only rule I learned is the speed limit 70K for learner has already been removed since 1st Oct last year.

Not happy with the professional level of the test officer, I feel I am wasting money and losing confidence and passion and learning nothing instead of lots of confusing from different test officer. I feel even though I practiced 100 times I could be failed easily due to any small reason. Should I keep giving them $80? Why not I just stay with learner, I think is okay forever....

[Usarka]

when I tried to turn left on 80K open highway, I reduced speed too much in the middle of the lane, instead of I should pull left first and then reduced speed..

While I'm sorry you got failed on this, I'm quite glad that they are doing it. 1) It's dangerous to slow down in front of traffic when you're on a bike, and 2) it's **** annoying to other road users when vehicles don't move to the side of the lane before turning.

If you can, do some training - even just doing dummy runs with an instructor would help. In fact i encourage all learners to do training right at the start of their riding career as that's when bad/good habits get set.

[marcowho]

Thanks a lot all of your comments. I understand now it was my mistake, but I just feel it's not very big mistake can terminate my test. (or maybe some of you would say it's "reasonable"). I believe most of riders/drivers could make this same small mistake in the test - start to increase speed just after "work end" sign when you see a permanent 50K sign right at 20M ahead. Would it be better if the test officer could just comment out at the end of my test, then I can learn, that's the point, and I am sure I won't make the same mistake again. But what's the point to fail a candidate with a small mistake? She couldn't say anything else I did wrong in the test, actually I was perfect in first test section according to her...... Meat in the chopping board depends on the different butchers. Okay anyway, fail is fail... just a bit more bad luck on me, same time sharing some experience to you guys. Not sure how the new system will be.

[Lelitu]

That's the fun thing with the law

what's legal, and what's common practice are not necessarily the same thing
that's why we sometimes have enforcement campaigns.

the test makes sure you know how to ride to the requirements of the law, not common practice.

[wysper]

Would it be better if the test officer could just comment out at the end of my test, then I can learn, that's the point, and I am sure I won't make the same mistake again.

Thats the thing though isn't it. If it was just a comment and you passed anyway, I doubt you would even think twice about it.

[tbs]

So hang on a minute... You slowed down for roadworks, and then sped up again after the 'Works End' sign, and just happened to do it 20 meters out from a fixed 50km/h sign? Is that right? Because if so, then failing you for that is a complete bunch of arse. The fixed 50k sign has absolutely no bearing on when you get to speed up after roadworks. Only the sign indicating the end of the roadworks. It is simply there to let people know the maximum permitted speed on that stretch under normal conditions.

[speights_bud]

Thats the thing though isn't it. If it was just a comment and you passed anyway, I doubt you would even think twice about it.

Oh i dunno about that, when i sat my 1F test the instructor sat next to me afterward telling me that i missed a head check and that 'no head check is a dead check' i thought i was about to fail, but as it turns out he passed me. That was 6 years ago and it still sticks in my mind when changing lanes etc.

[Nzpure]

So hang on a minute... You slowed down for roadworks, and then sped up again after the 'Works End' sign, and just happened to do it 20 meters out from a fixed 50km/h sign? Is that right? Because if so, then failing you for that is a complete bunch of arse. The fixed 50k sign has absolutely no bearing on when you get to speed up after roadworks. Only the sign indicating the end of the roadworks. It is simply there to let people know the maximum permitted speed on that stretch under normal conditions.

It would depend if it was a fixed sign or one the road works has put up wouldn't it? If it was a permanent sign that was there before the road works it shouldn't have any bearing on your speed in relation to the road works.....Otherwise roadworks out in the wop wops where signs can be 5 kms apart would mean you would be doing 40km/h for freakin ages........

and to add to the pissing contest i passed first time on my 1L-1R-1F,6L-6R-6F,2L-2F,4L-4F,W,T,R,D,F so

[swbarnett]

While I'm sorry you got failed on this, I'm quite glad that they are doing it. 1) It's dangerous to slow down in front of traffic when you're on a bike, and 2) it's **** annoying to other road users when vehicles don't move to the side of the lane before turning.

I move to the side if I can, mostly out of courtesy (especially on busy roads, I sometimes even use the cycle lane). However, I have every legal right to do whatever speed (up to the limit) is necessary to maintain my own safety anywhere within the lane I am currently occupying, this includes getting to a safe speed to take a corner.