Very basic questions that i missed in the CBT.

I done my CBT yesterday, and before i go on the next part of training for the full bike test i have some very basic questions on riding that i was not told about during the CBT.
On Sunday the 8th Feb, i will be going on what the learning centre call a 'day ride' which is a day when the intructor takes a group of people out on the bikes for the whole day to get used to the handling of the bikes, and my CBT instructor advised me to go on this day before starting the actual training for the licence because i know i would benefit from the practice.

1. How do you filter?
2. How do you overtake safely?
3. When do you indicate at roundabouts?
4. Is the speed limit 40mph on all A roads? (the A1306 in particular)

And just an opinion based question - After how long riding a bike did you become confident, and not brick it every time you go out? (i was very nervous going out on the road for the first time).

I havn't done my theory yet and i plan to buy the relevant books soon, and do the test before my training.

Thanks for any help you have, and please dont slate me for not knowing these things!

[peterco]

Originally Posted by Magnum

When do you indicate at roundabouts?

184-190: Roundabouts

184


On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane. You should

• use Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre at all stages
• decide as early as possible which exit you need to take
• give an appropriate signal (see Rule 186). Time your signals so as not to confuse other road users
• get into the correct lane
• adjust your speed and position to fit in with traffic conditions
• be aware of the speed and position of all the road users around you

185


When reaching the roundabout you should

• give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights
• check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way. If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining
• watch out for all other road users already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all
• look forward before moving off to make sure traffic in front has moved off

186

Signals and position.

When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
• keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
• keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout
• you should not normally need to signal on approach
• stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.
187


In all cases watch out for and give plenty of room to

• pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads
• traffic crossing in front of you on the roundabout, especially vehicles intending to leave by the next exit
• traffic which may be straddling lanes or positioned incorrectly
• motorcyclists
• cyclists and horse riders who may stay in the left-hand lane and signal right if they intend to continue round the roundabout. Allow them to do so
• long vehicles (including those towing trailers). These might have to take a different course or straddle lanes either approaching or on the roundabout because of their length. Watch out for their signals

188

Mini-roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so. Remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal. Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10(1) & 16(1)]
189

At double mini-roundabouts treat each roundabout separately and give way to traffic from the right.
190

Multiple roundabouts. At some complex junctions, there may be a series of mini-roundabouts at each intersection. Treat each mini-roundabout separately and follow the normal rules.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Magnum

I done my CBT yesterday, and before i go on the next part of training for the full bike test i have some very basic questions on riding that i was not told about during the CBT.
On Sunday the 8th Feb, i will be going on what the learning centre call a 'day ride' which is a day when the intructor takes a group of people out on the bikes for the whole day to get used to the handling of the bikes, and my CBT instructor advised me to go on this day before starting the actual training for the licence because i know i would benefit from the practice.

1. How do you filter?
2. How do you overtake safely?
3. When do you indicate at roundabouts?
4. Is the speed limit 40mph on all A roads? (the A1306 in particular)

And just an opinion based question - After how long riding a bike did you become confident, and not brick it every time you go out? (i was very nervous going out on the road for the first time).

I havn't done my theory yet and i plan to buy the relevant books soon, and do the test before my training.

Thanks for any help you have, and please dont slate me for not knowing these things!

1. You will be taught this when you go out with your instructor, and it's easier to explain in person or demonstrate than talk through online. Don't worry about it yet.
2. Same as 1.
3. Same as 1.
4. No. It is 60, unless indicated otherwise. I can't comment on a specific road that I don't know.

Given that you don't appear to know a great deal about road rules, buy a copy of the Highway Code and start learning; you will need to know this anyway before you take your test. It might help put your mind at rest a bit too. Also make sure you ask your instructor anything you want to know before you go out for the first time, otherwise you will be too busy worrying about all your questions to concentrate on your riding.

As for being nervous, it happens to us all. You will soon get to enjoy it and the nerves will soon go.

Good luck with it all.

[Mr Speirs]

Im sure people will be along here shortly to answer your questions but you will learn the answers to these questions when you start the next part of training.
IMO the CBT is a very basic skills test however it doesn't teach you everything you need to know.

I was nervous going out on the road the first time. There was too much to think about (i hadn't ridden a bike before) next lesson when you go straight out you will start to build up your confidence.

You really should start learning the highway code (IMO before you even drive on the road) not knowing what road signs mean will put you in danger.
A roads don't have a standard speed limit. They change according to conditions. If the sign says 30 its 30, 40 its 40, 50 its 50, and the white circle with a black line through it means its 60 unless its a dual carriageway which then it becomes 70.

Good luck for the rest of your training and buy a copy of the highway code before venturingout on the road.

Originally Posted by Magnum

1. How do you filter?
Unless learning in central London, don't. Worry about this when you've passed.
2. How do you overtake safely?
There are very few hard and fast rules on this. I think the best advice I can give while you're learning is don't attempt it unless there is almost double the space of empty road you think you need. A missed overtake will at worst get you a minor whereas a botched one is an instant fail.
3. When do you indicate at roundabouts?
Hard to describe without a diagram/model to talk you through it. Read your highway code and speak to your instructor would be best.
4. Is the speed limit 40mph on all A roads? (the A1306 in particular)
No. The speed limit on A roads can be anything; 30, 40, 50, 60 or even 70.

And just an opinion based question - After how long riding a bike did you become confident, and not brick it every time you go out? (i was very nervous going out on the road for the first time).

This is normal and healthy. People who say they don't have the fear when they go out tend to either be liars or end up in pine boxes.

Riding my own bike unsupervised first time after the test was much more scary than the supervised rides. Took me a couple of thousand of miles to really relax. Even years and tens of thousands of miles later, the possibility of coofing it is still always at the back of my mind.

Best of luck!

Thanks for both replies.

The instructor did prompt me when to indicate, but it twas hard to take everything in at once, what with the gear changes and turning indicators off and on. Those diagrams clear it up nicely.

As for the highway code, my instructor also reccommended that i get a copy because i apparantly have "the road sense of a hedgehog". A little unfair since everyone else doing the CBT had car licences!

Is the highway code alone enough to pass the theory test, or do i need a specific theory book on top? (excluding hazard perception of course).

Here is why the CBT is a joke.

Can we assume you've not had to read the Highway Code? The fact that your training centre gave you a certificate of completion without such basic knowledge as what speed limits are enforced is unbelievable.

When I did my CBT (and I've done it twice at various times) questions like this were being asked at intervals during the day to ensure we were at least vaguely safe on the roads.

I'd be looking for somewhere else to train, personally.

WRT filtering and overtaking, you shouldn't really be doing much if any of that just yet, as it involves making yourself more vunerable at a stage where you are still only getting used to the bike. I'm guessing by your question about round abouts that you are not a car driver - so really you will need to put in the time riding to build up your observational skills before overtaking or filtering. You need to have fully assesed the road ahead for dangers that could possibly make the vehicle you are passing deviate from it's course or cause other vehicles to cross your path. Side roads, oncoming traffic, debris in the road, pedestrians etc etc.

For an overtake, once you are happy it is safe to proceed, signal your intention, check no one else is also overtaking from behind (blind spot and mirror check) then proceed at a safe speed to pass the vehicle. don't get too close but always try and have an escape plan in mind should things go wrong. You should minimise the time you spend in the oncoming caridgeway as this is the position in whioch you are at most risk.

For filtering take it SLOW to begin with. look out for pedestrians and cyclists who will not be expecting you. watch for cars making right turns or vehicles emerging from side roads that you may not be able to see. Take particular care when filtering past larger vehicles as they obscure your view and may be allowing another vehicle to pull out into yout path. If in doubt DON'T DO IT. there is no shame in not filtering.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Dan

I'd be looking for somewhere else to train, personally.

+1. I have to admit, sounds like a lot of basic info was missed out when it really shouldn't have been.

Regarding the comments made about the centre, to be fair i was the only one there who did not have a car licence. He was surprised that i had not read the highway code, which i would have read if i knew we wouldnt be taught it on that day. He did tell me about important road signs such as give way.
I will be reading the highway code before going out on the road again.