Test - Bloody rip off!

When I passed back in '06 I paid £640, that included CBT/theory (extra to retake them though), 4 days of training (2 on 125/2 on 500 though I don't think it's fixed/they care which bike you use), and the test on the 5th day.

I paid about £500 all told, that's including theory.

I paid about about £84...~£28 for the theory and £56 for the practical test. Borrowed a mate's 125 for 2 days to practise U-turns and to do my test.

If you've been riding for a year already and you're confident, why not just try and do the test without training? Borrow someone's 125 and go to a supermarket car park (after hours ) with something to mark out the course.
For the road riding, just remember lifesavers and to cancel you're indicators. For the emergency stop on the old test you had to stop then do a lifesaver on BOTH sides before getting to the side of the road. Not sure if that applies now the new test's emergency stop is off road

Oh and congrats on passing your theory
First time?

Thanks. Yep 1st time.
Iv asked a mate n he said I could use his so thats my plan! and I was on youtube watching how to do it. Think il set some cones up in a car park like in the vids n I should be gravy!
Did it cost extra 2 put u on your m8s insurance?
Mite do a days training for mod 2 just for good measures!

Cost about £15 for the two days IIRC. Much cheaper than doing a 4 day course (even if you fail the test a few times)
There's a diagram with distances on here somewhere that posted up so you can set the cones/cans up just how they'll be in the test. Might be on the direct.gov.uk website.
Yeah by all means get the training if you're not feeling 100% confident. Let us know how you get on mate

You're paying for someone's time and skill. Being self employed myself - not as a bike instructor - I get fed up when people want something for nothing, and it happens all the time. The bike instructor probably doesn't want to live on bread and water y'know.

I appreciate that Ed. I never for a second suggested that they charge too much. Just thought I'd show him the other side of the coin.
I didn't take training because I thought I could use the money on getting some gear to protect my a*se if I were to come off, as I didn't have the money to do both. Wasn't because I wanted them to only live on bread and water...

Fair comment!
Not putting all the blame on the instructors, but the new test layout. Its just me being a tight, arrogant student who thinks hes already got what it takes (little do I know!). Even though it does seem some try to claw all they can from you (obv the minorty).
Cost aside - the swerve test looks deadly in the wet!!!! Me thinks someone in the transport department has a thing against bikers!

Originally Posted by joshmac

I appreciate that Ed. I never for a second suggested that they charge too much. Just thought I'd show him the other side of the coin.
I didn't take training because I thought I could use the money on getting some gear to protect my a*se if I were to come off, as I didn't have the money to do both. Wasn't because I wanted them to only live on bread and water...