CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I booked a CBT today and got up this morning to go and do it. However on the way there matts bike failed (he'l put up a post later about that) and we had to get a recovery van back to his dads garage.

In the meantime I rang up the Training place where I booked my CBT (Nigel Norton) and they were SO angry and rude and basically told me to go elsewhere because they had "gone to a lot of effort to get arrangements in place". (for those that d ont know, I was going to have one-to-one tutition for £90 due to my hearing impairment).

They then told me that they had brought in a specially trained instructor (god knows why, I dont sign, I can lip-read without hearing aids). I finally managed to get a word in and said that I physically couldnt get there but I was happy to pay a cancellation fee - which was £90.

I feel uncomfy going back, so I rang a different training place in London who were very kind and happy to help. But they have no experience of training deaf people and were not quite sure how it would work. Its normally £125 (to teach 4 ppl), but for one-to-one they said they would have to bump up the cost to £200. I asked if the increased fee would apply for the A1 licence and they said "yes but we dont know how we would train you since we use the radio intercom system". I told them I would think about it then put the phone down and just cried at how difficult it is to do a simple thing :(

£200 is too much :( should I swallow my pride and try Nigel Norton again? and hope they are nice to me?

I dont know what to do. Maybe I should give up altogether :(

Maria

p.s. [Edit] oh, and if anyone knows of somewhere in london that could train me, id be grateful if you could let me know.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Sorry to hear of your troubles Maria. Is out of London out of the question?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

i think that nigel guy is a bit out of order. i would not goo back there

do you need any specail treatment? would you be ok hearing the instructions over the 2 way mic?

i would try a small company (the guy i did mine with does not imploy anyone, and does it all himself)

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

They're a bunch of c##ts for being nasty about it. Not like it's your fault matt bought a yellow bike is it...


Giving up altogether is not an option.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Steady now... U rating an all...

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I wouldnt they've already been rude to you, what are they going to be like if you struggle with an aspect of your training. You dont need people being rude and shouting when you're trying to learn a new skill. You want somebody being calm, quiet, and building your confidence up, not knocking you down by shouting and screaming at you.

£200 is a lot of money, Do you feel like you need one to one training ? If you can successfully hear what somebody is saying to you on the telephone IMHO you'd probably be able to use the normal radio system.

Why not pop down there and talk to them face to face, get them to put a speak in your lid and see how you get on ? wont waste to much time and that way you'll know what you can or cant do for certain.

Dont give up, not if its something you really want to do.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

The only out of london place I could really go is Brighton (free ride there, free place to sleep). Otherwise the overall cost of doing the CBT will just be too much. How far out of london are you thinking/suggesting?


2 way mic is the problem because I cant wear hearing aids with my helment on which = me not hearing at all.

The way it was going to be done at Nigel Norton was that on the road ride (& for the full test), is that there would be regular stops on the way where they would tell me directions and I would have to remember them and go that way. I suppose they would also signal slightly earlier and I would have to make sure I check my mirrors and turn the right way (something bikesafe trainers do).

The actual test would have been extended and followed the "regular stops & memorise directions" principle.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

See the reply I gave Hovis about the radio system problem :) I would need one to one training because as the lady I spoke to (the london place) said, it wouldnt be fair to make 4 people stop repeatedly for the sake of one person.

You are right, they dont deserve my custom if they are going to be rude about it.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Not too far, far enough for you to find somewhere to make you happy. I'm sure a few places outside the city will be close enough?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I wouldn't give up, if you really want to do it, you can.

I would find a different school to the one that your were booked with. As fizz said if they shouted at you over the phone, what are they going to be like during training. If he wasn't so far out of London, I would really recommend my instructor. For both CBT & A1.

£200 seems a lot of money for a CBT at the other place, I mean how much would they charge you for your A1??

Is there a lot of CBT/A1 places in London?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I wont give up, just feel rather disheartened at the moment.

Im googling places at the moment but I fear many of them will say the same thing - "im not quite sure how we could accommodate you" but I will have to ring and see what they have to say.

The A1 fee would probably be an very expensive.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

done a quick google seach and came up with this site http://www.nabd.org.uk/adaptions/qanda.htm
took this passage from off that site

Q Hi do you have any info for me. I did my C.B.T. and have been riding for a bit and want to get more practice and then take lessons and a test in April 2004. I use hearing aids and can not use radio gear. Anything you can advise me on please regarding if i can do a test that wont need radio gear and who may be willing to teach me in the Hertfordshire area? Any info would be much appreciated.
A Motorcycle test for hearing impaired riders.
This would be the same test as all riders have to take but it would be done with instruction being given prior to each section of the test, rather than the usual communication via intercom during the test.
I would imagine that any training school should be able to give you lessons in this way.
In fact you can tell your local training school that, if they will oblige in this way, we will put a piece in our Open house Magazine saying what damn nice people they are.
Should there be any doubts at your chosen test centre as to this procedure, you should refer them to Barry Morris at the Driving Standards Agency on 0115 901 2500 or contact us and we will sort it out for you.

hope using this as a guide it will help you approch others schools and maybe educate them as to how they could accomadate you and give the the pluses if they do (they will be able to add this new found experience to their advertising and will get great write ups in lots of forums like this one) make them see the advantage of going that extra mile to help you out
dont loose heart just thank you blessing that this happened as that company oviously didnt have the patients and skills that you deserve.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Sorry to repeat questions but how come you can't use your hearing aid with a helmet on? I only ask because it would seem the easiest route to go down...I can understand that for a normal radio earpiece it doesn't make sense (as you can't wear both at the same time) but I would have thought you could use your hearing aid in place of one (and then a speaker, etc in the helmet). It seems like the easiest route to take - in terms of making the CBT, test easier (you could just do it as normal?) plus I would have thought you'd want to use the hearing aid during normal riding once passed (so this problem would come up anyway).

I might be talking b*llox as I'm really not sure what your hearing aid is like, I am just assuming it is an in-ear one!

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I've got one recommendation - East Side Riders.

Get in touch with Lian, and find out what she can do. I get nothing but massive praise about these guys. They are very flexible, and will offer tuition tailored to individuals rather than the 'set-menu' some places offer.

East Side Riders
Lee Valley Ice Centre
Lea Bridge Road
London E10 7QL

020 8533 2835 / 07891 834303

http://www.eastsideriders.co.uk

HTH
Jo

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I betcha, wearing them, it fooking hurts with a helmet on...

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

That's absolutely awful the way they talked to you! Don't go back, no way. I hope you manage to do it somehow.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Maria, first off, I wouldn't go back to the original place. They obviously don't want/need the business. :rolleyes:

Secondly, don't give up!! I fully understand (hopefully anyway) your issues as I used to do a lot of work with deaf and deaf/blind people a few years back. At one point I was fully qualified to teach BSL, but sadly I've forgotten more than I've remembered simply due to not using it.

I've always had a good crack with Matt, though not talked to you much really. The costs would probably work out prohibitive, but I've just done a little digging (more would be required though, but just a phone call). So probably as a last resort only...

There's a truly excellent riding school near me, CBT's are quoted on their website at £110. Obviously because of special arrangements their price might not be accurate, but I can give them a call if you want/need.

We have a sofa bed large enough for both you & Matt to stay over at ours (so free accommodation), which leaves transport to/from mine. The bike would be stupidly expensive in terms of fuel alone, but a train is 3h30 and costs £25 per person from Euston to the station near here. That's based on an open return just after the start of April.

As I said, realistically probably a last resort, but the offer is there should you need it. :)

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

they look like this: http://hearcom.eu/lenya/hearcom/auth...s/P8270566.jpg

the beige bit goes behind your ear.

got it in one. Pulling the helemet over an ear and hearing aid is also painful. once its on its sort-of ok, but pushes in my ear and gives me a bit of an ear-ache

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Don't f***in pay them full price either. Tell em to do one. Report them to whomever you can.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

£25 each.. you can get a lot of petrol for that money. From what matts said, his bike does a sight better on the juice than mine. So that should be easy 300 miles each way worth of fuel...

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

The caberg trip I've got here seems to have a lot of room around the ears. Also flexes quite a lot as you pull it on. Might be worth a look...

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Maria would it be possible to cut the foam out of a helmet to accomodate your aid?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Is that a good thing?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Sorry to hear about this. Sucks ar$e. Hang in there and youll be fine I dont doubt! :)

Life likes to try and test our resolution. Good for character building ;)

I didnt realise you were hard of hearing, not that I would I guess. Im just thinking its cool in a bike sense. Means you can tune your bike for max power with no end can :p

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Not really for normal use, it's noisy and cold.

But, if it lets her get her training done before getting a proper lid then it's a bonus!

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Thanks Baph, thats very kind of you :) I shall bear it in mind and if all else fails I may just take you up on the offer.

Im currently trying to contact the school shop addict suggested.

Im happy to contact the CBT place near you and just ask them anyway (if anything it will stop me getting ripped off on prices. Although...I dont think anywhere could possibly be more than 200!) - perhaps you could PM the number?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I could, but wearing the hearing aid might be risky if I came off and smacked my head. Id be worried of (a) breaking it and (b) doing my ears more damage. They are really expensive..probs worth more than matts bike :shock:

It is cool - means I get a brilliaint nights sleep all the time, perks such as free public transport travel and if im bored/fed-up of listening to someone I'll just switch them off ;)

I can speak fine & dont sign (oo that rhymes!) though so I hope no-one starts worrying if they can talk to me at the AR09!

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Just playing Devils Advocate here, but I can understand the reluctance to train someone who can't use a radio. The idea of all instruction, directions being given athe roadside and then the student having to remember would make me (as an instructor) quite nervous. What if help was needed on the move? I see learners forget to check their mirrors all the time Imagine what would go though a trainers mind if their student starts to move towards the right lane on a dual carraigeway into the path of a following car. With a radio, this could be dealt with immediately and discussed later. Without a radio, it's potentially going to be dealt with in the back of an ambulance.

That said, there's no excuse for the way the original company treated you. I would get in touch with NADB and see if they can help.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

+1 on both of these - NABD are a great bunch - have a friend who lost the use of an arm in a crash, so have been to a few NABD events @ the Ace.

See if they have any advice.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Never crossed my mind, I presumed with your job that you'd be fine to communicate :)

Unfortunately with my job sucking Ill probably not be at the AR this year. So ill not have that pleasure. Maybe if I make it next year you'll have all this nasty business behind you and be on your own bike! :cool:

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Yeah that's the type I was thinking of...does it push on the bit behind the ear? Or the bit in the ear? Cos... it doesn't seem too much bigger (in ear bit) than an ear plug (I've tried disposables & also have some moulded ones).

I can confirm it's a pain to get a helmet on with either - I have to pull the straps outwards quite hard to put the helmet on (and I do one ear at a time). But once in, the gap is pretty big and there's lots of room in there. Also, I can *just about* slide my hand up past my cheek and get my fingers in there to push the ear plugs in a bit more (moulded only) if they have come out a bit in the process).

I reckon it'd be worth your while going and trying a few different helmets to look for this feature/ability - btw all the above applies to a Shoei XR-1000 if that helps.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

True enough actually. For my trip to the big smoke, I think it cost me maybe £60 in fuel, return. So the bike could be an option, and a short holiday in Snowdonia. :D

No real need to PM the number IMO as they're such a good school.

They also offer free assessments for people that have already done CBT and want to go on to DAS etc too, so they may offer that as an option to see how you get on.

Their website: http://www.angleseymotorcycletraining.co.uk/index.html
Their number: 01407 840700 (as on the above site). If he's available, you'd probably be better asking for Neil himself (the owner of the school).

As an alternative in my area, Leopard_lily is closely involved with a riding school about an hour or so away from me. Might be worthwhile PMing her too.

EDIT: Matt has all my contact details should you wish to take up the offer of a short break in Snowdonia. :)

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

You could try DG Rider training, in south london (well just outside Bromley). The owner Dave has posted on here before biketeacherdave but hasn't posted for a while.

I did my DAS with him, but he also does CBTs on a fixed price basis i.e. even if you need more than one days training. Im sure he can arrange one to one as thats what I had when I did my DAS

Heres a link http://www.dgridertraining.co.uk/

Dan

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

now I know you said that you have a hearing impairment (i.e. not deaf) but I'm sure the RNID might be able to advise you about this and the fact they've been absolute cockheads with you simply because you couldn't make it AND the fact that they'd made special arrangements for you - which it doesn't even sound like you specifically requested?

The £90 cancellation fee should be enough to cover their costs (and if it isn't then they're the one's who've fecked up by not setting it higher - they know what costs they have to cover in the event of a cancellation). You said you were happy for them to have it seeing as though you couldn't get there, so technically they can't and shouldn't complain... they have your money and didn't even have to turn any of their bikes on, so they're in pocket.

Not sure if trading standards or some kind of regulatory body would be interested to hear about this? If they're like this with all of their students who can't make it then they're probably nob heads in general, but if they're just being like this with you then it's out and out discrimination. I'm way f*cked off just reading about it..

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I'd tell them to stick their cancellation fee up their rse for being rude.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

As I said, tell them to do one. Tell them they f*cked up by been so rude.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

guessing they'll have taken a pre-authorisation or record of a debit card number when you booked so they can automatically bill you in the event of a cancellation?

Come to think of it when I did my training (18 hours with Bumpy in west yorkshire), half of my lessons were just me and the instructor as I managed to book them for a quiet period at work (mainly weekdays). I didn't have to request it and it didn't cost me any extra, it was just down to pure luck as to whether I got the lessons on my own...

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

If i'm at AR09 I'll make sure I use sign language then just to confuse it all then :wink:

As for the training school they're obviously a bunch of cretins! IMHO I really don't think it's necessary to have the radios, I didn't on my CBT the instructor just explained before hand what we were going to do and then on the road he just indicated early to show which way I was meant to go. I used the same system when I did my IAM test, Kitkat said she never used a radio system for any of her training either

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Absolutely sickening to read this Maria, fancy them having the cheek to treat you in such a manner, hardly going to entice new bikers in is it? And you're obviously going to spread the word about their shocking behaviour, and how better to do that than on a public internet forum :-D

Have you tried suggesting this method to every school you've contacted who've said they wouldn't know how to accommodate your situation? It's bollox about one2one tuition having to cost more, its probably just a busy time of year, lots of new bikers starting out.

I took a CBT last summer and had one2one tuition with a **** instructor, but I didn't pay extra. I think I was supposed to have another lad learning with me but he pulled out last minute. But even so there would have only been 2 of us. Although that school did charge me £120! And THEN my eejit of an instructor didn't trust I'd payed it at first, could've slapped him!

Really sorry you've had to deal with this before you've even got close to riding on a bike Maria, tis bound to dishearten you a bit but please don't let it. If you're really serious about getting into biking then don't let the b4stards in this world get away with it. I should have made an official complaint about my CBT place but I was too upset at the time :-(

I'm amazed you're having problems finding places to accommodate your hearing situation, especially these days when seemingly people can't do enough for those at a disadvantage. Good luck sorting this out hun.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Nope I didnt request it, i didnt even know that they had arranged for a special instructor. I was under the impression that the riding school were doing it all themselves anyway.

£90 is the full fee for training, they didnt take the card details beforehand but I just gave it to them this morning when they asked for it (i wish i refused to pay the full fee now but i just wanted them to p*ss off).