Restricted license test? I'm looking for recent experiences

[GSXR limiter basher]

Grats on the pass.

Have you been riding around on a gixxer 750 tho? Did you borrow a bike (with L plates) for the test?

Thanks mate, always a good feeling to pass any form of examination ae.....I see from your recent-ish post above that you got ur now too...top man, its all pretty straight forward right?
Yeah I was riding the gixxer round for around 1.5yrs on my L's but kept getting nailed with tickets (I grew up on dirt bikes so I wasnt a complete learner)....however now that Im sitting on 75 demerit points I decided to trade it in and get something legal till I pass my full but also to sit the R's test. I downgraded to a 2011 Hyosung GT250R EFI.....going from 140hp to 28hp is doing my head in lol but for what it is it rides fine. Roll on the full licence I say as Im HANGING out for some more ponies

[blonderider]

Had my test this morning at 8am at the AA in Manukau. Passed.

Got there around 7.40, few other people waiting with me there. At around 8am all the testers rocked up. They looked over my bike, indicators, lights, back and front brakes, no horn check. No one had keys to get inside the building so we went off without a radio. She just told me a few instructions, I rode the route she said, then pulled over for the next set.

I've attached a PDF of the route I took with little markers of where we pulled over.

Attachment 277907

Thanks f2dz, my daughters sitting her restricited car Licence next week, this will certainly help me get her prepared more than she would have. Shall let you know how she gets on.

[kevinator9]

Finally got around to getting my restricted today.

Booked it for yesterday and it was pouring down so went into the AA at the booked time. Check the bike before I left was all fine. Guess what? The tailight bulb had blown on the way to the station! Failed me but because I had turned up 15mins early the AA staff said I could get it fixed and if I was back in time for my booking I could still sit it. Did it and got back in time but the testing officer had left so couldn't do the test. Kind AA people booked me in for this morning for no charge.
Went through everything it was very similar to my full licence test in the car about 5 years ago. Riding through town. Then two sets of hazard indentification at intersections. Then open road riding, u-turn on the open road and back to the station.
Nothing that riding everyday and a few long trips didn't prepare me for so now it's goodbye to the blue licence

[Stevee2]

Sat my 6R at Westgate, 8am. Passed with no issues. Was a long and thorough test, 50 mins all up with 2 sets of hazard ID, 80km/ road, 3x u turns, lots of narrow 50km/h residential streets and sharp 90deg turns up and down steep hills and stop signs. The radio communication was difficult to hear so always double checked the tester vehicle behind (good as it reminds us to check our mirrors).

I'm really glad I spent the last 2 weeks practicing U-turns (nailed the full lock u-turn now). Great feeling getting rid of the L plate!

[iranana]

When I did my restricted last year, it was out East in Auckland and I'm surprised I passed. It was a piece of piss and all it required was riding in a 50 and 60 zone, a U-Turn and that was pretty much it. However, the radio communication thing was the shittiest system ever, because I couldn't hear the instructors directions for shit, and he'd just yell at me in a thick Indian accent when I'd make a wrong turn. I told him straight up that I couldn't understand him and he passed me, despite the fact I'd gone the wrong way for most of the test. I guess that means my riding was fine, but god damnit they should get a better system, or instructors that don't have thick accents. I was hardly concentrating on the road while I was struggling to understand him.

[Jacobite]

I sat my test about a month back in Kilbirne, Wellington. Showed up at where the test was being held (the bowling club in Kilbirnie), did a quick run down with the tester and the headset then did the bike check. No issues even though I was a bit nervous about the state of my front tire. Actually I was pretty bloody nervous full stop. I've had my learners for about 18 months and it's my main form on transport so I've had plenty of practice but I hate tests with a passion. I also had a hi-vis vest with me which I wore and I mentioned that I wasn't sure if it was compulsory or not (I don't usually wear it) and the tester said no it wasn't but it was always a good idea to wear one. That might just be him though so probably better safe that sorry.

Anyway headed out and pottered around Kilbirnie for about a good 15 minutes. First thing I thought I had done wrong was at a Give Way sign near the KFC which is part of a merge I didn't stop but instead looked right as I was coming up to it, saw nothing coming and continued on through as I normally would, however we all know that some corners are cut sometimes. I made sure to indicate early to make sure I had heard correctly the direction that the tester was wanting me to go, which was a wise move it seemed as at least twice he told me one direction and for some bizarre reason I would indicate in the opposite despite fully intending to go the correct way to which he would remind me "your other left/right". I put this down to nerves as it's a pretty simple thing to do!The second time I could tell he was getting a bit pissy and I made the assumption that if I did it again he would probably fail me on "Not being confident enough to follow instructions". I then took to repeating the direction as soon has he said it in my helmet to make sure my hands did what my brain wanted them too. Why not? He can't hear me.

After about 15 minutes he directed me to Palm Ave which is a stupidly thin little street in Kilbirne and directed me to do a u-turn. Now luckily I had read in this thread that this was where the U-turns were performed so I had spent quite a bit of time practicing them here. Did it once and away we went again. We then did a hazard ID, only thing I missed was him behind me as a Hazard so be careful to mention the tester as one.

This time it was out to the round about by the ASB Sportscenter on Cobham Drive to do a bit of 70km/hr riding and lane changing. Into Miramar for a bit more 50km street stuff, did another hazard ID and a 30km area near the super market. At this point I was put a position where I had to make a choice of stop and not lose the tester or go and potentially lose the tester when a woman was taking her sweet time getting to the a level crossing. It was obvious she was going to cross it but hadn't reached the point where legally I had to stop however she would by the time I was through and the tester would have to stop. I went for it remembering what the tester had said "Drive for yourself not for me" and immediately regretted it. At this point I thought I'd probably failed it. We headed back towards the air port round about, went round it and back to Cobham Drive doing some more lane changes and then back to the testing station.

Went into the Club sat down and had a talk. He asked me how I thought I went. I mentioned the Give Way at the start (which he said was fine as you don't have to stop at one if you can safely make it through - which I had forgotten about, it's only stop signs), I also mentioned the slow woman at the level crossing. He said that was also no problem as she hadn't reached the crossing yet and therefore I didn't have to stop which is true I just wasn't sure if he had seen it from his position. He said I was generally pretty good but my road positioning was sometimes a bit off (sometimes I was to the left, some times I was to the right) and my lane changes were a bit aggressive (Well yes, I used to dodging taxi's and buses). I passed but not as cleanly as I would have liked, still a pass is a pass.

[russd7]

congrats and well done
many happy years of riding ahead of you

[Peachey]

I sat my Restricted Practical test this morning at Westgate.

I was a bit nervous, but in the end had nothing to worry about, was quite a fun little ride. I had a really nice testing officer who explained he has been riding for 38 years. He checked my bike over for WOF, Rego, Indicators, Horn, etc... I was given an earpiece that wrapped around my ear which was attached to a radio that hung around my neck. The officer told me to relax, ride normally, and that he was here to pass me, not fail me. He reminded me to make sure I indicate correctly and remember to cancel the indicators, don't put my foot down when doing u-turns and as long as I didn't do anything stupid, I'd be "good as gold".

The testing officer explained what we would be doing and that the test is in 3 parts.

Part 1 - Riding Ability
Went for a putt around the area, down some side streets and did 3 u-turns at the end of some cul de saks.
A few give ways and stop signs.
Then he stopped me and explained we would be doing hazard identification next.

Part 2 - Hazard Identification
Rode up to an intersection and had to remember all moving hazards.
Vehicles, animals, people, in front, beside, behind (don't forget the tester).
Just need to remember what they were and where they were coming from.. not colour and registration number
Rode a bit further, then stopped and relayed the hazards to the testing officer, then did it again at another intersection.

Part 3 - High Speed Riding
After the final hazard identification, the testing officer told me where we would be going and that he was looking for how I merged with traffic.
Rode for a few kms in an 80 km/h zone, through a couple of roundabouts, through road works (down to 50 km/h) and around a final roundabout and back again.

When riding, the testing officer repeated each instruction clearly twice and wanted me to respond with a head nod or thumbs up to ensure I heard him. The radio broke up a bit in the highspeed part because he was keeping a safe following distance and must have been just out of range, but was doing regular mirror checks and also watching for his indicators. The officer asked me after the test how the radio was, and said they were trying to get new ones because they drop out at times.

Test was about 45 minutes all up. All in all, was pretty easy, and in the end didn't know what I was nervous about.

Good luck for anyone going for their practical test.

[TheDemonLord]

BUMP

Anyone got any recommendations for Pre-Test training? anything that I should be Practicing (like U turns)?

Any Gotcha's or things to look out for?

(and the first person who says 'don't fall of your Nonda' gets a pair of sweaty testicles to the face)

[Grashopper]

If you're riding/comuting regularly the test shouldn't be a problem for you.
The following list shows examples of things that the testing officers look out for during the test, so it might be a good idea to incorporate them into your riding before the license test, so you can get used to them.

If you don't do it yet, make a habit out of checking your mirrors regularly (and during the test visibly) and stop with both feet down at every stop sign (a good habit to get into before the test, otherwise you might forget about it during the test, like me...).

Don't ever go over the speed limit during the test.

And if you turn right, don't cross the centre line of that road you're turning into.

Definitely practise slow riding at walking speed, slow speed handling and u-turns. At the beginning of my test I had to ride into a back carpark in the town centre and then get out of it by crossing a very busy foot path. It really helps if you can do things like that slow and smooth, without waddling. Hillstarts could be another one.

And some people had to list the hazards they had seen on a certain bit of road, some people didn't. You never know though, so that could be something else to practise.

Oh and have a look here for some training: http://www.prorider.co.nz/motorcycle....php?course=31

[Stevee2]

Just with the above post, great tips but I have had different advice about putting both feet down. I was advised by Riderskills that you should have one foot down and one foot on the rear brake to show you are using both brakes at stop signs. I did this during my test and nothing was said as to if it was ok or not (passed fine with no 'strikes'). I'm assuming its a personal preference thing with the tester as the logic for and against feet up and down makes sense.

[kinger]

I did my restricted a few months ago, in Wellington's Kilbirnie suburb. Here is the route I took: http://goo.gl/maps/BtNW7

Shit colour choice mate.

[Grashopper]

Shit colour choice mate.

Hehe, some people have different background colours. For him it probably looked great.

[TheDemonLord]

Chur for responses, when the Hand heals and I have my bike Repaired - might book one of those Pro-Rider things

[Jackpot]

Going for my Restricted Test next week. I daily commute into Wellington, practice in streets, and have had full car licence for 6 years. Perfect road record (thus far...). I do constant head checks, indicate, ride on the right of lane.

Some questions though... When you do the U-Turn, can you pull over to set up a full-lock turn? Both feet or one foot on rear/one on ground? Hazards are now in restricted? Rev-matching OK?

Any other tips?