Full Licence application

As soon as I got back home from the test I filled in the Application.

I needed:

2 Passport photos signed on the back.
1 the certificate of competency
my provisional licence
the fee
the application form

I put this in an envelope and address it to the motor tax office in Ballymun.
You can find your local office here

The sooner you get the licence the sooner the restrictions start to disappear.

The Test

It's test day.

I'm as nervous as a bag of cats.
I took the day of work, Luckily my boss is a real nice guy, know Him really well :)

I washed the bike and made sure nothing was hanging off.
I actually found a loose screw on the chain adjustment that was left loose by the bike tyre company the day before - grrrr....

They did tip me there to display the tax on the bike for the test.
So I put the tax in the plastic licence sleeve and taped it to the bike for the test.
This was good piece of mind.
Also, get a hi-viz vest the instructor will take into account that you take safety seriously.
I hope it goes without saying to have full biking gear.

I set off 2 hours before the test, first filling up on petrol and the practicing the maneuvers.
I talked to muself inside my helmet - repeating as I practiced....

Mirror - Signal - Mirror - Lifesaver (Look into your blind spot) Maneuver
Do this for left and right turns, you won't be marked for being too safe.

On takeoff's at lights Check Left mirror + Blind spot and Right Mirror + Blind spot.

Practice U turns and driving at walking pace.

A good tip is to park reasonably close to the test center when you can easily pull away.
Make sure you don't park illegally or in a place that will cause you undue stress at the start of the test. It's a good idea to go to the center an hour before and find a good spot or two.

The tester will be driving a car and you will have an ear piece.

The test went great.
I was totally relaxed after my two hours of riding.
I stuck to the plan talking myself through it, this time in my mind.

I was fairly confident that when we pointed back toward the test center that I had passed. However I immediately switched back into test mode, because the last thing you want to do is fail now.

One thing that happened was that I did not hear one instruction clearly. I was pretty sure that he said 'next right' so I made a hand signal for a right turn and he repeated the command.
It's a good tip and demonstrates your control.

I parked in the easiest place I could find when we got back and followed the instructor back into the office. Where he said the imortal words 'Congratulations you have passed' :)
The sense of relief and general good feeling was great.

The Test Looms

Only One week to go until the Test.

I contacted Aidan Sheehan who was one of the instructors on the Star Rider Program.
I organised a pre-test. I was surprised at how many bad habits had creeped in since the training in July.

He spent an hour Ironing out the flaws and going through the test structure.
I recommend that if you do nothing else before your bike test - Do a pre-test.
No matter how good you think you are you have no idea what the tester is looking for.

After the pre test I felt more confident about the driving test. I put in a lot of practice between it and the test day.