Booked my full license today...

[DarkLord]

I'm set to go for it on the 30th of this month at 10:15 am through AA in Taupo.

I am a wee bit nervous as I have never held a full license before in anything. When I sat my full car license in Tauranga I got 75 out of 100 and you need 80, so they failed me. I still haven't gone for it again as I was so fucked off and lost a lot of confidence in my abilities.

However I learned how to ride in Auckland and have passed 2 bike licenses up there. The last two weeks I was in Auckland I was commuting from Howick to the North Shore and lanesplitting the whole way to work each day so I got quite used to it. I've done a lot of k's on the bike and just last Sunday I took my mates Bandit 1200 for a blast around the Taupo loop. Felt very comfortable and very confident on it, no worries with cornering or anything and did not feel even slightly nervous with that much more power than I am used to.

I'm sure I will ace the test (fingers crossed) but if anyone out there has any hints or tips they could lend, or has gone for their license here in Taupo (bike or car) it'd be good to hear from you.

I'll keep you posted...

[Radar]

Hazard Identification.

Re-read the rode code book about this topic. It is simple, but weird things may happen during an exam causing you to forget the basics. My examiner was very helpful and actually told me what hazards were just prior to this part of the exam.

For the exam I think it helps to:

1. Wear a Hi Vis vest
2. Be polite (and genuine)
3. Arrive 15 - 20 minutes early
4. Avoid overconfidence - this can cause mistakes. Being a bit nervous is OK.
5. If your examiner is friendly and chatty, talk about safety, or how good the Defensive Driving Course was (if you did it).

Good luck. My feeling is that you will ace it.

[Patch]

I'm sure I will ace the test (fingers crossed

given your track record and your reason for posting, the above statement does not ring true.



Pay attention to what the hell you are supposed to be doing (crossing your fingers while riding may be hazardous - safer to cross your legs)

Don't overthink things and relax. Be honest, if in doubt ask the instructor.

Clean your bike.

[DarkLord]

So with the hazards part, I take it that you ride and then they pull you over, and ask what the hazards were on that stretch?

I am a lot more confident with riding than I ever was driving cars, so I imagine that will help but I will not go in with a know it all attitude, that's for sure. I say that I think I will ace it because I know I can ride capably enough, but I will not let myself get cocky.

[EJT]

So with the hazards part, I take it that you ride and then they pull you over, and ask what the hazards were on that stretch?

I am a lot more confident with riding than I ever was driving cars, so I imagine that will help but I will not go in with a know it all attitude, that's for sure. I say that I think I will ace it because I know I can ride capably enough, but I will not let myself get cocky.

Usually as you said regarding hazards. Remember to say his car (which should be behind you) as being one of the things you noted.

Good that you have confidence. Just know the road rules etc and you should be fine.

[DarkLord]

I blitzed it... easiest license test I've ever done!!

[NOWOOL]

Good for you!
Maybe its just me, but I felt like I rode much smoother and confidently on the ride home after getting my full licence.

[davebullet]

Congrats. I actually found the full test easier than the restricted - even though there was more to do. Probably just hours in the saddle and a confidence thing.

[DarkLord]

Cheers Dave.

Mine was easier than my R's as well - just a short 5-6k ride or so. Only took ten minutes! His only complaint was that I went "like a grandma" at times

[davebullet]

My tester went by the book, did the 3 parts as per the road code. 4 u turns in the hazard identification but no hill starts. I did a couple of severe turns when the intercom cut out then only just caught his instruction, but he didn't seem to mind. Only comment was to indicate slightly earlier when entering roundabouts.

[DarkLord]

Did you have that awful earpiece on? I had that with my R's test and it was hopeless. Fortunately with the full the instructor just told me where to go in advance!!

[davebullet]

Yeah. It cut out a couple of times, and some wild steering soon had me on course (ie. indicating less than 3 seconds and violently around the corner). He didn't seem to mind and I apologised about the sudden change in course. I think he saw I had good road sense and didn't make the moves without knowing behind, beside and in front were clear.

The problem is I wear bloody glasses as well, so the earpiece slipped off my ear when I put the helmet on (snug fit) and then pushing the glasses over my ears pushed it off again.