I just passed my module 2 test earlier this morning. First time. Only two minor faults. No training or driving schools. A couple of days ago I had the same experience with module 1. Passed first time. One minor fault. And NO. I’m not some expert motorcyclist. I hardly use my automatic vespa 125. I think practicing for the tests used more miles than I do in a year, which isn’t too much either. The entire process took less than a week.

First though, a word of caution / information: I don’t know anything about geared bikes. Automatic is good enough for me. Maybe that’s what makes it harder for people? I don’t know. However, most of the tips I’d like to share with you apply to all bikes. I just don’t have any tips on changing gears or clutch.

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Why DIY?

Why not train properly? Well, I checked a number of driving schools, and all of them without exception annoyed me to some level. Either they charge too much – prices range around the £500 mark for around 2-3 days of training. The cheapest I could find was on my own bike for about £240… Excluding test fees of course. The question I asked myself was “What do they offer me? What can’t I do without them?” The answer was very simple – They do offer first hand and useful tips, they do watch if you make errors and correct them for you, but you’ll have to fit around their schedule, there would probably be another student with you, so you don’t always get attention anyway, and the definition of a day is rather flexible (some consider the test day as a day, so you end up with a few hours of training just before your test). Most importantly though – there’s very little you can’t do on your own.

PLUS – a little maths exercise:

The module 1 test costs £10. That’s it. You can book it yourself online or over the phone. I booked my test just two days before. Yes. I called on Monday and they had a test available on Wed. Next, even if you fail, you can retake the test in three working days. So?? I took the first module 1 test as a practice / trial session for £10. How many times do you think you would fail? 1? 3? 7? 10? It’s still £100 max. And I bet most people pass on first or second attempt. It also takes the pressure out of the test. It’s not a test. It’s a practice session that simply costs £10. Easy.

Module 2 is admittedly more expensive at £70, and it involves 10 working days of wait. Still – there’s plenty of tests to take for around £500… Did I say tests? I meant trials.

Lets get down to business then.

On this article I’ll only cover Module 1. Module 2 will follow on shortly.

Module 1

The best thing about module 1 is it’s 100% predictable. You know what you have to do. There are several great videos online. The best one was made by the DSA, but there are other useful ones on youtube: Another copy of the DSA, this, this and others.

You should be able to practice on most elements of the test in a parking lot. Simply do some figures of eights, slalom, slow ride. Even take your bike and wheel it by hand. Get familiar with it. Do a couple of U-turns on quiet roads around. Even an emergency break can be practiced (but be VERY CAREFUL!). The only element, which I also found the hardest on the test, was the swerve (officially called hazard avoidance). It’s hard to practice for it, but at the end of the day, I found it intuitive. The hard part is reaching the necessary minimum speed. First attempt (you get two!! might as well use them), I only reached 44km/h and it felt FAST. I was scared the second time round, but my instincts kicked in. I don’t quite see the value of it, and it seems the major obstacle to passing module 1.

Important

Crucial things to remember:

• Make sure you have all documents: Driving License AND paper counterpart, CBT certificate, Theory Test Pass Certificate!
• Make sure your bike has two L plates, front and back
• Make sure the tax disc is displayed
• You don’t need to show V5 or insurance or MOT, but it’s a good idea to check everything’s in order
• Wear sensible clothing. It shows you’re safe if you have good jacket and gloves and proper shoes

Module 1 Tips

• practice as much as you can, so you feel comfortable and stable on your bike
• Use your rear break whilst leaving the throttle open, this will give you much finer control over speed, and prevents jerks. Practice that too – it takes getting used to
• Go and visit your test site the day or a few days before. Get to see people do the course. I wasn’t so lucky. When I got there the day before, they were done for the day. Even just seeing the course size and all the cones makes you prepare for it
• Watch videos but don’t panic about it. Some of them make it look harder than it really is.
• You have plenty of space and time, between cones, between exercises. Use it. Compose yourself and only get going when you’re ready. Don’t rush into any exercise.
• Don’t forget your lifesavers. Examiners look for them. Practice those too. It’s simple. Simply look over both shoulders before you move off to start a manouver. It’s a little silly in a parking lot, but examiners look for those anyway. Do it before EVERY exercise. When you do the U turn also have another glance just before you actually start turning.
• ASK questions. I found it relaxing and reassuring. I think examiners like it too. It shows you’re composed and want to understand things fully. Don’t ask dumb questions and don’t get funny with the examiners. Keep it simple.