Bad habits that examiners hate?

Ive done 1.5k on the bike since ive had it, and i will hopefully be doing my restricted test in the next two weeks
I realise that in the time riding the bike, i have probably picked up some bad habits and was wondering what stupid little things you can get failed for in the test?

(i know these questions can be answered when i do my training by the instructor, but it would be good to get a head start and get into the habits the examiner likes)

1. Is it naughty in the test to shift into neutral and put both feet down at lights?
2. What road position do they like you to take at traffic lights, or behind stationary cars?
3. On country bends, or general bendy roads, is it prefered that you take a 'racing' line in the road, or just stick slightly left of center the whole way?

Thanks for any help. Hopefully ill be making a thread next week saying how delighted i am that i was able to rip off the L plates!

I know that many prefer you only put the left foot down at lights... the right one should be resting on the brake.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Magnum

Ive done 1.5k on the bike since ive had it, and i will hopefully be doing my restricted test in the next two weeks
I realise that in the time riding the bike, i have probably picked up some bad habits and was wondering what stupid little things you can get failed for in the test?

(i know these questions can be answered when i do my training by the instructor, but it would be good to get a head start and get into the habits the examiner likes)

1. Is it naughty in the test to shift into neutral and put both feet down at lights?
2. What road position do they like you to take at traffic lights, or behind stationary cars?
3. On country bends, or general bendy roads, is it prefered that you take a 'racing' line in the road, or just stick slightly left of center the whole way?

Thanks for any help. Hopefully ill be making a thread next week saying how delighted i am that i was able to rip off the L plates!

1) On my DAS we never did it as it makes the process more complicated. All we were told to do was get into 1st and hold it on the clutch, right foot on the brake. Not the best for the bike, but you are not worried about the bike, its the test that matters.

2) I was told to sit slap bang in the middle so that I would be in their rear-view mirror - try and be able to see their eyes.

3) You are riding to pass a test, not have fun, what do you think..........

My piece of advice would be to book a lesson at your local riding school and let an instructor run you through a mock test, that way you would be getting this advice from a professional, not a bunch of internet-monkeys.......

May cost a few quid, but may save you a re-test.

Only the locals can really answer your questions. Although there are national set standards, the grey areas are very much down the local variations, often to the point that one exininer will tak a very dim view and another ignore it completely. When I did my test the examiners liked to see left foot down, bike in neutral and right foot covering brake. This forced you to do the Hendon Shuffle at every stop.

[Paul the 6th]

Originally Posted by metalangel

I know that many prefer you only put the left foot down at lights... the right one should be resting on the brake.

I got a minor for putting my right foot down at the lights. Could be worth getting hour or two of lessons with an instructor so he/she can point out any bad habbits maybe? It could be the difference between failing & passing on daft little things

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Magnum

Ive done 1.5k on the bike since ive had it, and i will hopefully be doing my restricted test in the next two weeks
I realise that in the time riding the bike, i have probably picked up some bad habits and was wondering what stupid little things you can get failed for in the test?

(i know these questions can be answered when i do my training by the instructor, but it would be good to get a head start and get into the habits the examiner likes)

1. Is it naughty in the test to shift into neutral and put both feet down at lights?
2. What road position do they like you to take at traffic lights, or behind stationary cars?
3. On country bends, or general bendy roads, is it prefered that you take a 'racing' line in the road, or just stick slightly left of center the whole way?

Thanks for any help. Hopefully ill be making a thread next week saying how delighted i am that i was able to rip off the L plates!

Keep it in gear. Left foot down only.

Generally central position or slightly rightward. Leave sufficient space in between you.

They don't tend to take people out on twisties, but in that case a central position will be about right. Don't bother with a racing line as that's not generally the best one for observation and it's unlikely they'll use such a route anyway.


The best way is to go out and do some observed rides, most instruction places will sort you out with a couple of hours.

Thanks for the advice.
I copied you in soho for number 1 , its a lot easier than sitting at long traffic lights squeezing the clutch, but its only a 40 min test so im sure ill cope.

Number 3, i thought that maybe the 'racing' line was more effective, but to be honest i can see why its best to sit in the middle. They wont fail me for going too slow.

I am going to get another lesson in first. I think they might let me just have one lesson and then do the test. Theyre a good school, so im sure they will be honest if i need extra training or not.

I'm mostly looking forward to getting a bike with bigger tyres.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Keep it in gear. Left foot down only.

Generally central position or slightly rightward. Leave sufficient space in between you.

They don't tend to take people out on twisties, but in that case a central position will be about right. Don't bother with a racing line as that's not generally the best one for observation and it's unlikely they'll use such a route anyway.


The best way is to go out and do some observed rides, most instruction places will sort you out with a couple of hours.

Thanks. The center near me does take people on the twisites, maybe not that much but i saw someone taking their test when i was out last month. (bugger didnt nod back at me though)

Originally Posted by Magnum

Number 3, i thought that maybe the 'racing' line was more effective, but to be honest i can see why its best to sit in the middle. They wont fail me for going too slow.

I am going to get another lesson in first. I think they might let me just have one lesson and then do the test. Theyre a good school, so im sure they will be honest if i need extra training or not.

Please please please, when you've passed the test, don't use the racing line unless you can clearly see the road ahead is clear!!

When you go for your lesson, ask them to draw the lines of visibility when in a curve on a whiteboard etc - you'll soon understand.

Originally Posted by Baph

Please please please, when you've passed the test, don't use the racing line unless you can clearly see the road ahead is clear!!

When you go for your lesson, ask them to draw the lines of visibility when in a curve on a whiteboard etc - you'll soon understand.

Maybe i made myself sound like more of a boy racer than i was hoping.
When i say 'racing' line, i mean sticking to the left side of the road on say a right bend, so the line through the bend is straighter. Oviously its different for a left bend because you dont want to be too far to the right because of oncoming traffic, but for a right bend, the 'racing' position give more visibility.