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?
robbocop33 said:
Yep,have to agree!I think this is the first person i've ever heard failing one,he must be rubbish!
p.s.I'm an ex instructor so i know he's the first one!
So I'm rubbish for giving way at a stop sign? I suppose you've never made a mistake. p.s.I'm an ex instructor so i know he's the first one!
You may be an ex instructor, but that isn't to say you were a rubbish instructor yourself. Many instructors fail to make the grade and unfortunately many don't move with the times. Things aren't the same as they used to be.
Anyway. Now that complete tart has had a reply, I can move on.
Of course, taking a CBT is taken seriously. Road traffic accident figures involving motorcycles have decreased dramatically since the CBT was introduced. Without the CBT, any fool could go onto the road and endanger the lives of themselves and others. A 125cc engine may not be huge, but it's enough to cause some serious damage and anyone over the age of 18 with a CBT and a provisional can ride one.
The CBT is a good introduction to handling a motorcycle. Admittedly, a lot of it I knew by watching my step-dad and brothers with their Lambrettas and Yamahas. What I didn't know is certain theory elements as I'd never looked much into theory, although I do know the Highway Code.
I don't get why you wouldn't take a CBT seriously. I turned up in a helmet, gloves, boots, kevlar-lined jeans and a thick jacket because I have witnessed a motorcycle accident first hand and thus I'd rather not go into motorcycling with a blase and humorous attitude to it all.
As it happens, a week's working (9-6 5 days a week) plus a sleepless night from the storm we had had left me rather sleepy for the day. By the time we were ready for the road drive, my arse already hurt and I was exhausted.
Enough of that. I thought I should expand on those points a little more.
I've booked in for the 2 hour road ride for Saturday 18th. I'm 80% I'll pass then. And no, you cannot "fail" your CBT in the strict sense of the word. What you can do is "fail to pass" your CBT on the first day. Passing your training is getting that certificate. It may not be literal "passing" as in most exams. But when you look at it, you can technically "Pass" and, if the riding school gets fed up with trying to train you, "Fail".
All I have to do is turn up on Saturday (18th) at 9 and do my road ride.
Thank you all for your encouragement and kind words. I'll let you know how it goes.
robbocop33 said:
Whoooaa!I was only kidding,trying to lighten the mood!!I was actually a really good instructor as it goes,i was always thrown in to help out those struggling.In 6 years there was only one person i never got through.It was an elderly Pakistani women,she was just never meant to ride a bike,period.
Anyway,since my sense of humour went down so well there here's some advice.
Instructors are only there to help,not to intimidate you.If you're having anxiety problems ask for quieter bits of road for a while,then build it up to busier parts.
Just concentrate on what 'you're' doing and no-one else.What you were saying about being influenced by following someone doing something wrong is just target fixation,just concentrate on you,'you' knew he was doing wrong,have the courage of your convictions and do what feels naturally right.
You do realise mistakes are for learning from?Dont let them get you down,they are making you a better rider,think of it that way,just take small steps,it isn't a race!!
We were taught to tell students to glance in the mirrors every 11 seconds or so,as well as all the usual doing it while sliwing up,entering new roads etc.After a while you can easily pick up road signs out of your peripheral vision.
Just relax,you sound like the 'just wanting it too much' type of student.You're second time will be a lot better,as it isn't all new to you this time,which will settle you!Good luck!
I'm so sorry about the reply I gave earlier. Unfortunately, humour tends not to register when I've had a terrible couple of days at work. The CBT issue was just one small part of an entire planet of headaches going on right now. Things will be calmer next week, hopefully. I did pause and try to figure out whether it was humour or not but quite regrettably I decided to judge you as being serious. Anyway,since my sense of humour went down so well there here's some advice.
Instructors are only there to help,not to intimidate you.If you're having anxiety problems ask for quieter bits of road for a while,then build it up to busier parts.
Just concentrate on what 'you're' doing and no-one else.What you were saying about being influenced by following someone doing something wrong is just target fixation,just concentrate on you,'you' knew he was doing wrong,have the courage of your convictions and do what feels naturally right.
You do realise mistakes are for learning from?Dont let them get you down,they are making you a better rider,think of it that way,just take small steps,it isn't a race!!
We were taught to tell students to glance in the mirrors every 11 seconds or so,as well as all the usual doing it while sliwing up,entering new roads etc.After a while you can easily pick up road signs out of your peripheral vision.
Just relax,you sound like the 'just wanting it too much' type of student.You're second time will be a lot better,as it isn't all new to you this time,which will settle you!Good luck!
Of course I want it too much. The backstory is that I was rejected for a provisional three times since the age of 16 due to a long-running history of illness which would have rendered me an Audi driver (sorry if there are Audi drivers reading that, you three lane assassins, you). At the age of 21 I was finally judged well enough to drive and was given a provisional after an almost year-long wait for a decision. No joke. I applied for my provisional this time around in July of last year and only got it through about a month ago. The wait was so long that the DVLA gave me a partial refund - £7.50 to be precise.
So understandably, after five years of having the want to get on the roads and having to rely on public transport, I am quite keen to get driving. That's why I'll be fitting in driving lessons at 7am to give me time to get to work.
Thanks for the advice. I'll take it. I am 80% sure I'll be going home with a certificate next time. I have a driving lesson on the Friday before, so I'll have two hours road driving the day before my CBT. That can't hurt. Side note: Everyone in my family, except my mother, passed their full bike tests and car practical test the first time so I'm the runt of the family.
Once again. I apologise, and thank you.
Just to update you all. I took the CBT road ride element again today and went back to my mum's with a CBT certificate in hand. Got in to hers, insured and taxed my moped, and took it for a little ride around her town through the quiet streets to get used to the different weight and shape of it.
Then I rode it back to my home (I live in a town about 3 miles from her) with her following me behind. A great feeling, no issues with the journey. Sorted.
Then I rode it back to my home (I live in a town about 3 miles from her) with her following me behind. A great feeling, no issues with the journey. Sorted.
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