Learn to ride with Visordown: Test routes

Why it's a good idea not to know the test routes too well

Posted: 12 September 2007
by Tim Skilton

What do you mean 'turn right'? - Never assume you know the route

ONE OF the most common questions asked of any motorcycle instructor is if they can show their students the test routes, which sounds a reasonable enough request, but is it actually a good idea?

Examiners have designated test routes, which encompass all the elements needed to test a candidate's ability, like a dual carriageway, a town centre, a roundabout or two and a reasonable amount of left and right turns. But they can alter the routes at their discretion for various reasons, like road works or maybe an accident.

So imagine a candidate that knows all the routes in their sleep being asked by the examiner to turn right at the end of the road, when they expected to be turning left. This often completely throws a candidate's concentration, because they suddenly feel like they're not in control of the situation any more. So to avoid the problem altogether:

1. Ask your instructor to show you any areas that may catch you out on test, rather than badgering them about test routes. They'll probably take you to a specific junction, a change of speed limit or multilane roundabout, but avoid covering the whole route, as you may not go that way on your test.

2. Practice your manoeuvres away from the test areas. The examiners and local residents hate training schools bombarding their test routes.

3. Learn to ride to test standard in a totally different area - even a different town altogther, as it'll make you a stronger, more confident rider.

4. Finally, remember a full licence validates you to ride anywhere in the world, so try to think big and avoid clinging to the test route mentality.

Previous article
Dealing with theft: five tips for beginners

Next article
Visordown's guide to big bikes for beginners

learn to ride, visordown

Discuss this story

This thread is for discussion of the article Learn to ride with Visordown: Test routes

Posted: 12/09/2007 at 21:13

Bladerideressex

The test routes for bikes and cars are now available on the DSA website in many cases under the individual test centres details.....

It is helpful to be familiar with an area and our practice is to highlight any unusual elements of the route (1 way systems, no entries, bus lane times etc) so that students know what to look out for themselves....

No point learning to ride a route parrot fashion as the entire point of being a good bike rider is observing and anticipating what is going on around you and riding accordingly....

Many students do ask to be shown the routes but its usually the ones who lack confidence in the first instance... always try and get a good variety of riding in before your test...there is no substitute for having some miles under your belt to give you experience! Good DAS training should mix all the elements up of town and country and not just be a route to a test pass in isolation.....

Posted: 13/09/2007 at 09:27

Mansie125

On the DSA website I found 10 different test routes for the town in which I live. I printed them out and drew them on the map. Then I went out on my 125cc and practiced them all. On the quiet roads residential roads I practiced the "turn in the road" and the emergency stop where that could be expected. I found this a useful experience because I got familiar with a wide variety of traffic situations and roads I normally avoid. The test routes contain the most complicated road systems in town!

With my instructor we only covered some of that, and as you say he pointed out some tricky junctions where it would be useful to have some pre-knowledge on road positioning. Instructors know where things can go wrong and it is their duty to help their students with those situations. In the test routes there where hardly any country lanes but they were extensively covered during training. In training there is more time to expose you to all sorts of different roads. and correct the mistakes you make on them.

When I did my test I was taken on many of the familiar roads but not on any test route in particular. I didn't expect that either. The tester just makes it up along he goes, I guess.

Posted: 13/09/2007 at 21:02

martinp

My instructor amalgamated all the known routes without telling us which was which. When it came to the test I was familiar with the areas, but if the approach was different I was not thrown by the way the examiner went. Things like 'u' turns, e-stops etc were practiced wherever the instructor felt like it (including the ones used by the examiner).

Posted: 21/09/2007 at 10:13

eojmo

I always remember a mate who supposedly memorized the test route used by the local licensing authorities. He also knew the exact place where the examiner stepped out in the roadway for the emergency stop. Unfortunately on the day of the test, the examiner picked a different place to step out. Instead of stopping, the panic reaction of the aforementioned Muppet locked up the small wheels of his Scooter and sent the rider, examiner and Vespa bouncing down the road. Needless to say, he failed the test spectacularly. The message is, don't assume that the test route will remain the same, and never step in front of a Scooter rider who's wearing very thick spectacles.

Posted: 24/09/2007 at 09:51

The Spin Doctor

Quote

When I did my test I was taken on many of the familiar roads but not on any test route in particular. I didn't expect that either. The tester just makes it up along he goes, I guess.

No, they do stick to routes... but they may have to change them if there is unexpected congestion or an accident, or... usual reason... the rider goes the wrong way at a junction.

Posted: 02/10/2007 at 20:39

tarmacscratcher

You should be able to pass your test anywhere in the country. The last statement in the article is the correct one.

Posted: 09/10/2007 at 17:50

gojo1978

I failed my test in fairly spectacular fashion on the first attempt. This was on the route that I allegedly knew. Still though, 2 parallel roads separated by a wide grass verge were mistaken for a dual carriageway, so I pulled onto the wrong side of the road, incurring a dangerous fault. Further on in the test, I incurred a serious one (sliding on a stank. I knew what I was doing - I grew up on MX!) and 7 minors. I was a bag of nerves mind you... I basically went into the test knowing I was going to fail. A few weeks later, not long before I was due to fly to the USA with the missus for a Trans-Am voyage on an Electra-Glide Ultra Classic, I could only get a resit booked in time at a test centre not only whose routes I didn't know, but many of whose roads I'd never even been on! The result? One minor, and guess what for... Going too slowly! And for the record, I wasn't going too slowly, I was exercising good judgement, as I took the test on a rainy day, so moderated my speed, as I saw it, accordingly.

So, a near perfect performance on roads I didn't know. In my opinion,if you can't pass your test without knowing exactly where you're going to be going, I would have to question whether you should really be on the roads at all, let alone on two wheels.

Posted: 09/10/2007 at 20:54

When I took my test (car & bike) I purposefully didn't get shown any of the full test routes because you can get into auto-pilot too easily if you know the route too well, and that can only lead to mistakes during the test.

Posted: 01/07/2008 at 17:51

Big_Dave

just recently passed my test and my instructor took me to places where the examiners always catch people out.

I did mine in lichfield where there is a roundabout where you really need to follow the lane markings, and a road over a dual carriageway where most cars go 40 or more but the limit is still 30 ( just no signs).

Went to both on my test, so good job from my instructor.

Posted: 01/07/2008 at 22:18

Talkback: Learn to ride with Visordown: Test routes