Didn't pass CBT :(
Discussion
Today I had my much awaited CBT. I've been a cyclist for a few years, and very recently started driving lessons (about 2 hours actual driving and 2 hours discussions/theory so far). So I was expecting and hoping to get the hang of it by the time we went out on the road.
From about 9 until half 2, we went through the on site bits - figure of 8, junctions, highway code, road signs etc. By that time I'd become more than comfortable with the little 50cc. It was just like riding a quad (off road quad rides three or four times in the past, the last time being a few years ago). I've been a passenger on a few lambrettas over the years.
Out on the road. I felt mostly at ease straight away. I did, however, get anxious when I began to go out of range of the walkie talkies because I went too far ahead in front of the instructor and the other guy I was with for the day. I found myself paying much less attention to the road and instead paying more and more attention to the instructor behind me to make sure I wasn't going out of range. After we swapped positions and I was in the middle of the other guy and the instructor as opposed to being at the front, I continued that habit. Didn't need to, but I did. This diversion of attention led to me treating a stopping T junction as a give way junction. I completely missed both the stop sign and the solid white line.
At another point, I stopped behind PARKED CARS. Cars that were PARKED. Empty. Switched off. Parked. That's not quite as dangerous as not stopping at a stop sign but still hazardous and shows a lack of concentration on my part. It was also a very stupid and idiotic thing for me to do. Kicking myself for that one.
When the other guy was leading, he went right up a one way street, the wrong way. Now. I did notice this - I saw the no entry sign. I also knew it was a one way road because I happened to have appointments at a place on that exact street every week for about 3 years. I was in no way about to go up there. However, the end of that one way road is on a corner, which would have been where we went. The instructor marked me down for that one because he was sure I'd have gone up that road because I hadn't stopped until he told the other guy he'd just gone the wrong way up a one way road. What I was doing was slowing down by removing throttle to await further instruction, and also so I wasn't in the middle of one right turn and one junction. No way I could prove that so I didn't dispute it. Plus, the stop sign issue was more than enough reason not to pass me.
What I should have done is continue round the corner and then pull over. In retrospect. Disappointing I gave over the impression I did but I was in no way going up that road.
Anyway. I've got to call the head office on Monday to arrange a day to go back for the road ride part only. I'm just so disheartened by it. I made a major mistake, and a couple of rookie errors. But I feel stupid, and worried I won't get there.
I think I read somewhere they do one to one for the CBT. Is it worth asking if I can do just the road ride part one to one? I feel as though I'd be able to perform better that way. I've got social anxiety anyway, so the day was always going to be slightly daunting (DVLA are aware). I also won't have to worry about going faster than the other guy, as that caused most of the issue because it threw me off repeatedly losing contact.
I think my most major mistake was concentrating too much on the presence of the instructor. I spent TOO MUCH time looking at the mirrors - to the point of missing road signs.
I want to drive a car, but I also love the feeling of being on a two wheeled vehicle. There's nothing like it. I'm sticking with 50cc for the next year at least, to get active experience. At that point, I'll be practicing with gears off road before taking my CBT again on a geared bike (I feel more comfortable with taking a CBT with the vehicle type you're going to be using).
A penny for your thoughts?
From about 9 until half 2, we went through the on site bits - figure of 8, junctions, highway code, road signs etc. By that time I'd become more than comfortable with the little 50cc. It was just like riding a quad (off road quad rides three or four times in the past, the last time being a few years ago). I've been a passenger on a few lambrettas over the years.
Out on the road. I felt mostly at ease straight away. I did, however, get anxious when I began to go out of range of the walkie talkies because I went too far ahead in front of the instructor and the other guy I was with for the day. I found myself paying much less attention to the road and instead paying more and more attention to the instructor behind me to make sure I wasn't going out of range. After we swapped positions and I was in the middle of the other guy and the instructor as opposed to being at the front, I continued that habit. Didn't need to, but I did. This diversion of attention led to me treating a stopping T junction as a give way junction. I completely missed both the stop sign and the solid white line.
At another point, I stopped behind PARKED CARS. Cars that were PARKED. Empty. Switched off. Parked. That's not quite as dangerous as not stopping at a stop sign but still hazardous and shows a lack of concentration on my part. It was also a very stupid and idiotic thing for me to do. Kicking myself for that one.
When the other guy was leading, he went right up a one way street, the wrong way. Now. I did notice this - I saw the no entry sign. I also knew it was a one way road because I happened to have appointments at a place on that exact street every week for about 3 years. I was in no way about to go up there. However, the end of that one way road is on a corner, which would have been where we went. The instructor marked me down for that one because he was sure I'd have gone up that road because I hadn't stopped until he told the other guy he'd just gone the wrong way up a one way road. What I was doing was slowing down by removing throttle to await further instruction, and also so I wasn't in the middle of one right turn and one junction. No way I could prove that so I didn't dispute it. Plus, the stop sign issue was more than enough reason not to pass me.
What I should have done is continue round the corner and then pull over. In retrospect. Disappointing I gave over the impression I did but I was in no way going up that road.
Anyway. I've got to call the head office on Monday to arrange a day to go back for the road ride part only. I'm just so disheartened by it. I made a major mistake, and a couple of rookie errors. But I feel stupid, and worried I won't get there.
I think I read somewhere they do one to one for the CBT. Is it worth asking if I can do just the road ride part one to one? I feel as though I'd be able to perform better that way. I've got social anxiety anyway, so the day was always going to be slightly daunting (DVLA are aware). I also won't have to worry about going faster than the other guy, as that caused most of the issue because it threw me off repeatedly losing contact.
I think my most major mistake was concentrating too much on the presence of the instructor. I spent TOO MUCH time looking at the mirrors - to the point of missing road signs.
I want to drive a car, but I also love the feeling of being on a two wheeled vehicle. There's nothing like it. I'm sticking with 50cc for the next year at least, to get active experience. At that point, I'll be practicing with gears off road before taking my CBT again on a geared bike (I feel more comfortable with taking a CBT with the vehicle type you're going to be using).
A penny for your thoughts?
Don't be so hard on yourself! Loads of people fail their first test, it's no big deal.
It sounds like you might be a bit over anxious. Look into what you can do to calm yourself down a bit. I'm sure you would pass the test just fine if you weren't so stressed.
Best of luck next time.
It sounds like you might be a bit over anxious. Look into what you can do to calm yourself down a bit. I'm sure you would pass the test just fine if you weren't so stressed.
Best of luck next time.
Search on here & you will see it's no that unusual for people to not get through their CBT.
Ultimately they are trying to determine if you are safe to be learning on public roads. To be fair, & this may be a little harsh, based on what you have described you are probably not yet comfortable enough on road to be let loose. Road awareness comes with experience & it does sound like you need a little more to not be a danger.
Ultimately they are trying to determine if you are safe to be learning on public roads. To be fair, & this may be a little harsh, based on what you have described you are probably not yet comfortable enough on road to be let loose. Road awareness comes with experience & it does sound like you need a little more to not be a danger.
4737 Carlin said:
Don't be so hard on yourself! Loads of people fail their first test, it's no big deal.
It sounds like you might be a bit over anxious. Look into what you can do to calm yourself down a bit. I'm sure you would pass the test just fine if you weren't so stressed.
Best of luck next time.
Echo this.It sounds like you might be a bit over anxious. Look into what you can do to calm yourself down a bit. I'm sure you would pass the test just fine if you weren't so stressed.
Best of luck next time.
Importantly you have good insight into what went wrong and as such will (hopefully) avoid such mistakes next time.
Exams are stressful. The associated anxiety can make people do silly things. Don't be down on yourself. Best of luck for next time.
Whilst you'll be a bit down about it just now, you're just too vulnerable on any size of bike if you're not quite ready. At least the instructer was savvy enough to recognise this. You'll probably do much better next time as it seems you already recognise where you went wrong and still have the desire to pass. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Leptons said:
When I did my CBT many moons ago it wasn't really something you passed or failed it was just training. I.e Compulsory Basic Training.
Think this may be changing as the lady who did her CBT with me and another failed hers for no technical reason in particular, it was just a confidence thing. I'm glad test centres are exercising the right to fail someone, the trouble is with a group of riders and one instructor is that not many will hold back one person from the road riding which is a recipe for disaster.OP, have another crack and don't worry about it, road riding for the first time can be overwhelming, especially if you don't drive a car.
ging84 said:
you don't fail a CBT, you just have not completed it yet
it's a box ticking exercise, they have to tell you certain things, demonstrate certain things and observe you doing certain things.
You just need to be observed doing a few more things
It's a funny thing, the CBT, as it isn't officially a test, as you say it's a box ticking thing, but if you do demonstrate such a lack of awareness and road knowledge that the instructor will not pass you as you have not shown yourself of being at least reasonably capable of being safe while you ride solo with L plates. So while you cannot "fail" as it were, you can still not reach the necessary standard and not be certified.it's a box ticking exercise, they have to tell you certain things, demonstrate certain things and observe you doing certain things.
You just need to be observed doing a few more things
OP, it sounds like the nerves got the better of you and judgement went out of the window a bit. Most decent training schools will give you additional CBT instruction at no extra cost, within reason, so you should just be able to arrange another road ride and have another crack. It sounds like you could probably do with a bit of close instruction though, about judgement and how to deal with differing road scenarios. In this case, the doing some more driving lessons before thinking about two wheels might help, at least there you can have 2 way dialogue with the instructor and ask questions on the move, and with the dual controls he can stop you if you're about to have an accident. Running a stop sign is a bit of a gaff tbh, and it sounds like you might be better finding your road legs with a bit of a safety net.
You don't "fail" CBT, you just need to demonstrate a little more that you can do it.
I struggled with figures of 8 and with some road work, and my instructor was kind but said I wasn't ready. I felt like a numpty and was ready to give up on the whole thing but I went back, got a whole load more insight and did it next time round. Something just clicked in my head, and I was better and away.
Try again, OP. You'll get there.
I struggled with figures of 8 and with some road work, and my instructor was kind but said I wasn't ready. I felt like a numpty and was ready to give up on the whole thing but I went back, got a whole load more insight and did it next time round. Something just clicked in my head, and I was better and away.
Try again, OP. You'll get there.
It's understandable to fail on road sense. If you've never driven on the roads before then it's a lot to take in in a couple of hours.
Still my mate crashed on his cbt, bent all the forks and they got him a 2nd bike and he still passed ha.
Get it booked again and pay attention to the road.
Still my mate crashed on his cbt, bent all the forks and they got him a 2nd bike and he still passed ha.
Get it booked again and pay attention to the road.
You need more practice, chap. Luckily that kind of thing you can do in your head for free. 
Sit, like a prat, on a stool, hands on invisible bars and feet on invisible pegs. Pretend you're about to turn left onto a side street:
Right mirror first - turn your head and look (half of it is showing you're doing it)
Indicator - flick the thumb
Look left, move road position to the left side
Begin to brake - right hand and right foot gently
Gear the bike - into first probably
Look where you want it to go and ride it round, remembering to use the clutch to control your road speed if required.
When you're on the new road, check a mirror and work up through the gears.
Now using that, work out a procedure for turning right, remembering you need a lifesaver before you turn. If you run through these a few times, you'll get past the trying to figure it out (whilst on the bike) stage, and it'll be much calmer.
Procedures you'll probably benefit from thinking about and running through in your head are:
Turning left and right off main road onto a side street
Turning left and right at junctions
Emergency stop
Roundabouts
Sit, like a prat, on a stool, hands on invisible bars and feet on invisible pegs. Pretend you're about to turn left onto a side street:
Right mirror first - turn your head and look (half of it is showing you're doing it)
Indicator - flick the thumb
Look left, move road position to the left side
Begin to brake - right hand and right foot gently
Gear the bike - into first probably
Look where you want it to go and ride it round, remembering to use the clutch to control your road speed if required.
When you're on the new road, check a mirror and work up through the gears.
Now using that, work out a procedure for turning right, remembering you need a lifesaver before you turn. If you run through these a few times, you'll get past the trying to figure it out (whilst on the bike) stage, and it'll be much calmer.
Procedures you'll probably benefit from thinking about and running through in your head are:
Turning left and right off main road onto a side street
Turning left and right at junctions
Emergency stop
Roundabouts
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff