Should there be 2-way radios for Mod 2 tests?

Hello All,

I wrote the below in autumn with the intention of passing it on to MCN for their readers news. Have a read and tell me what you think - should something be done initiate candidate - examiner communication during Module 2? Would it introduce more danger with a new rider operating a radio as well as a bike?

In early summer this year I took my Module 2 test. All was going well until I took a wrong turning off a roundabout (third exit right instead of fourth). When the examiner didn’t follow (for reasons I have since assumed to be because she was in a rush as it was the end of the day) I did not panic. I pulled up where I could and awaited an expected instruction to wait for her to come and find me - after all she knows the roads, saw where I went and my instructor had briefed me on the procedure for the situation I found myself in. Instead what I got was an entirely flustered message saying one of 2 things - carry on and follow signs to said destination, or turn around and follow signs to said destination. With no 2 way radio to ask for confirmation, I assumed she could not have meant for me to turn around on a dual carriageway and with no further clarification of the message (or any other communication whatsoever) I hesitantly continued on my own, unassisted, still under test conditions with no mobile phone. I was soon lost in a town I don’t know.
I returned to the test centre 20 minutes later to find it shut, I had to enter the 'exit' to the carpark - no one was around.

The examiner soon returned, having barely had time to get off her bike, take the radio off me and mutter something along the lines of 'you won’t be charged, it'll go down as a special code' she left me with my jaw dropped at the lack of feedback, paperwork, professionalism, explanation, manners etc...

3 working days after this I contacted DSA customer services - who knew nothing about the test result. Apparently it should have been phoned through straight away - a code given to my riding school and, as it was their fault, a retest organised as soon as possible, free of charge. Customer services contacted the test centre to get the feedback which came back, low and behold, as loss of fee - candidate at fault, next test slot in 6 weeks. Apparently the examiner followed all procedures correctly and the reason for no further comms was because the radio was ‘out of range’. I knew this wasn’t the case (they have a range of 5km) I wasn’t in the wrong and I knew the test centre knew that.

The second stage, if you ever have the misfortune to need complain to the DSA, is an email to customer services. I summarised the above and got the same response - I had lost my fee and the examiner had performed faultlessly.
I decided to write back to confirm that the DSA fully supported the examiner’s decision to ask me to ride on unassisted and also for written confirmation of the exact procedure, should an examiner become separated from the candidate.
I got a second reply from 'Head of Corporate Correspondence' saying that as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ I could have my test fee back and be considered for out of pocket expenses. I also got confirmation that:

The examiner "should have asked you to pull over at the first available safe opportunity after you had taken the wrong exit" and then should have "then taken an alternative route to meet you and continue with the test".

This is in effect confirming that I was lied to in the previous communications and the DSA do not actually know their own policies. Further to this, this particular examiner seemed more keen on leaving work early than to provide me with her full attention. Does anyone know how/if examiners are continually tested to ensure they area aware of their responsibilities/procedures?

It raises my question - Should 2 way radios be provided to candidates on Module 2 tests, for use in such situations?

I passed my Module 2 at another test centre and had the end of this summer on my bike, but my first experience on a bigger bike, on my own was certainly not a fun one. Riding when distracted and without license in a town you do not know is not a good start.

I should mention to anyone yet to take their Module 2 that my second examiner was entirely professional, calm and concise with his instructions and the test was no problem.

Hmmm. I too got lost in a similar situation when I did my mod 2. Took the examiner nigh on 15 minutes to find me. I took the wrong exit on a roundabout, ended up on a dual carriageway with nowhere safe to pull over (wasn't going to stop on the dc), just carried on till I got to a petrol station where I could stop. Eventually I waved the examiner down when I saw her approach the roundabout I'd come off which she went round once before spotting me. This delay meant my test lasted one hour as opposed to 40 minutes and the poor chap waiting to take his test after me had to come back another day

Had I had a 2way radio in that case I'm not entirely sure it would have helped that much. Obviously the examiner knew the area far better than I did, and it doesn't take a genius to know where I came off and to just follow that road. I wasn't exactly going to take the opportunity to hide down a back road else I would have been lost. I knew I'd still have to do the length of the test regardless of how long we'd been, boxes to tick etc. Besides which, if the examiner had heard my humming whilst I was riding it would have drove her insane

Sounds like yours was a crappy experience, you shouldn't have been asked to find your own way in a strange place, the examiner certainly shouldn't have assumed you had your bearings. I had no idea where I was on most of my test, too busy concentrating on indicators and lifesavers etc to take note of landmarks.

Bet you had no problems passing your retest though eh?

[Luckypants]

Moved to 'Bike Talk' where this will get more attention.

[yorkie_chris]

No I don't think test candidates should have the additional task loading of controlling a push to talk radio or worrying about setting microphones up etc. There's nothing wrong with the one way comms system, it's been like that for years. Just like there was nowt wrong with the old 1 part test.

I do think the examiners should be professional and not be liars and thieves though.

I took two 'wrong' exits on my mod 2. The examiner was very good and gave me new directions. I was safe and passed. I think the 1-way system sufficed in this case.

What I don't get is why neither of your examiners followed you in the first place?
They should be shadowing you all the time anyway, so unless they lost sight of you and assumed you'd both be on the intended route I don't see why they didn't just follow you allowing them to give further instruction based on what situation they find you in.

No need for 2 ways IMO.

[yorkie_chris]

Many possibilities... too small a gap for them to pull out into traffic with you, caught at lights etc. it happens quite often.

All those are going to be covered by the "Unless they lost sight of you and assumed you'd both be on the intended route" statement which thinking about it covers quite a broad brand of possibilities.

I do recall my test had a "pull over and wait for me please" due to the gap closing before he could get through. I supose in your cases though they will have not initially known you were lost and with no way of been able to play marko-polo so you're relying on them realising you're not where you should be but also picking up your track from other possible routes.

OP I can see why once lost and having continued you'd have had such a slim chance of rejoining the examiner but I'd say that should have gone down as "just one of those things" tbh, unless you hadn't been out long I'm surprised she didn't just pass you to keep you quiet/happy. Pretty sure if I'd have been in her position I'd have said "Right ok, you're back safe that's good. I saw nothing dangerous before the test so lets do some basic manouvers just here and I'll conclude the test" (whilst thinking please please don't tell my boss etc etc).

I cant really say exactly why I wasnt followed in the case above; she said it was not safe to do so and you cant expect them to take risks. I have my own opinion though and it is that she was more keen to leave work on time and thought it could have been the best option. I then think she just got flustered. My riding school had said after that it is not the first time that he had questioned the examiner's capability to keep cool and clear under similar circumstances.

It was just a frustrating situation where in that particular instance a 2 way radio could have saved my test and the extra hassle.

I agree though; worrying about another push button on the handle bars whilst riding would have added more difficulty.

Following instructions could also have saved your test.