Test Fail - What did I do wrong?

[toxster]

After getting 100% on my theory - and the same on my part 1 (no minors) I have failed the on-road bit. Unfairly I think - but one thing the examiner said is that I kept trying to pull away in neutral.... except that I didn't - not once...

I can't figure out what he meant. I sit in neutral at the junction - when the lights start to change I engage gear then go... Do you think he wants me to sit in-gear all the time at the junction?

[Paul-S]

Bad luck toxster - hope you get some beeter feedback

Good luck next time

[toxster]

Here's the tale of woe in full...



Minors for “pulling away in neutral”. This did not happen once. I sit in neutral at a junction, when the lights go to red and amber I change into gear and move away when the light goes to green. Should I assume he wants me to sit on gear and burn the clutch?

3 minors for going too slow. One whilst following a hearse (doing 25mph in a 30 – he suggested I should overtake….!?!?). One for doing 60 in a 70 zone (I’m on a 125 and the bike tops at 65 – so couldn’t safely overtake the car in front doing 60….). One for missing a 40 sign and doing 30 (fair enough).

One serious – for being in the wrong lane at a roundabout (wrong signal). But the instructor said “Go straight ahead” then when I was in the left lane muttered – “2nd”. I’m prepared to accept he made a mistake and muttered “2nd gear to himself” but I read that as 2nd exit – so had to change lane – which I did using safe observation and correct signalling.

One for “undue hesitation” which I think was when a Humvee came around the corner as I was pulling out of a junction and turning right. There was hesitation but not because of the hummer – because the instructor was so tight up my right hand side I had to double take to ensure I wouldn’t hit him making the turn.

One for coming off a roundabout into the wrong lane (the roundabout goes from single lane into two lanes on the slip road. Problem is that his instruction is “straight ahead unless I say otherwise”. So, knowing that roundabout, to come off it and continue straight ahead means waiting and peeling into the second lane – since the first is a filter off to the left. He wanted me to go into the other one…so should have said turn left.

Throughout the test he rode alarmingly close and once had to swerve around me when I moved around a vehicle braking and turning right. I did feel endangered.


Basically it can be summed up as me going the wrong way at roundabouts - but dealing with each situation safely AND being in the correct lane for the junction I was intending to take....



I do 600 miles a month on the bike - I do know how to ride safely....

[alpslapper]

You can appeal. If I remember correctly, you cannot get the ''fail'' decision overturned, but if you think you were unfairly treated etc you may get the retest for free. You should have been given details on how to appeal after the test result.

It's difficult to advise you because what you think you did and what the examiner thinks you did are clearly very different.

But try and take onboard the feedback, rebook, and you'll pass the next time for sure Covering 600 miles a week, you'll be confident at the very least.

Sorry for you mate - but better luck next time.

Thread moved to the Riding forum where you might get a more focused response.

[toxster]

I think I was trying to be "too good" rather than just get on with it....

Thanks for the kind words. I may appeal (I have six months to do that) but am trying to focus on just passing next time (Friday 10th July....)

[PanRider]

I failed my test first time round, I wasn't the first person to fail & you won't be the last. My advice for what is worth, don't get worked up about it, it's a bugger I know, but at least you can continue riding. The 10th July will be with you b4 you know it. Stay cool, stay focused & better luck next time.

Ash

[beanfeast]

When I did my test I stayed in gear when at lights etc as I was told to during my lessons, he probably saw you changing into 1st when the lights changed and thought you'd made the mistake of not already being in 1st and ready to go.
Roundabouts, set yourself up to take them as you expect him to say but if you hear or think you hear him alter his instructions - ignore him!! The worse thing you can do is make last minute changes, he'll soon tell you to turn round if you go the wrong way... and it wastes a bit of test time! lol.

My examiner also rode very close to me just behind on my right. I thought it was so a) he could see me doing my lifesavers more easily and b) my instructor told me if you leave too big a gap on either side, the examiner will push to get there and show you you should be closing the gap more. So on my test I just cut the examiner off as much as possible so he couldn't possibly squeeze by me!

I also actually found it easier doing my test in an area I didn't know, it kept me alert and cautious rather than thinking I know how to do this and then making a mistake. The overtaking minors are harsh, however when you next do your test - whatever you do don't leave the examination and examiner until you get what you want to know from him! (Not easy thought I know...)

Good luck.

[Pondlife]

Bad luck mate, but don't beat yourself up over it.. you'll pass eventually

I was told throughout the lessons to be in first gear at lights and only put bike into neutral if you know you're in for a long wait.

As others have said, if you're not sure what the instructor says or he says nothing at all just carry on going straight.

I know it doesn't help you now, but my examiner on the second test was excellent throughout. He edged between me and the curb at a set of lights after he had asked me to make a left turn, all he said was "just beware, if I can sneak in so can a cyclist". I didn't even get a minor for it as he did note that I was aware he was there (life savers and mirrors work)

If it makes you feel any better, I failed my first test by putting my foot down during the U turn, and that manoeuvre is done within the first five minutes, so I had to endure the rest of the fifty minutes knowing I had failed The sickener is that's all I did wrong for the whole test... I had to laugh because when we got back to the test centre even he called me a knob for ruining a perfect ride!!

Good luck for the next one.. and just ride as you would.

[francis_geoff]

Just to make you feel a little better I failed my bike test although I had been riding for 30+ years (the licence people removed it during renewal and refused to accept I had had a bike ticket for all those years). I failed because I was too clever and did a U turn opposite someones drive and ended up with front wheel on kerb!
The advice about being in gear at traffic lights is spot on - you will not wear out your clutch. When I took my test I had a bit of advice from a mate who is a a IAM man, he said that although I had been riding for years I did not know it all and I should go into the test with a "humble" attitude - he was right, Testers do not like people that are too cock sure.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Bad luck about the examiner. You are probaby right to chalk it down to experience though. An appeal is at best going to get you a refund, but maybe life's too short?