NSW Licencing - doing preprovisional skills test on automatic scooter

No JL - he is right - they _should_ know!

N/

 

<chuckle> Yeah OK, fair cop, *should* is different to does.

JL

 

1. I wouldn't call one instructor, via hearsay, being a definitive
answer... nor an instructor being in a "position of relative
authority". Having that instructor's comments confirmed by separate
means (eg this forum) would be of interest. RInging the RTA and
seeking a "definitive answer" would be useful but I would also like to
foster debate and discussion on the matter here. Sorry that you are
perplexed/offended at clearly being forced to read this thread, I will
do better next time Nev.

2. I'm merely endeavouring to bring the original thread posting (MY
original question) back to the point. All (OK..most) of the replies
are interesting but absolutely no one had any comment on this anomaly
in the testing procedure.

3. I choose to post where I want and indeed there are riders in here
with the experience and worldliness that deserved to be exposed to the
intrigue.

4. Given the apparent lack of knowledge on this aspect of the testing,
including by some that have an active interest (as experienced riders)
in assisting pre and learner riders through the phases, would suggest
that this is an ideal forum.

 

Indeed, there may be no gain at all riding an auto scooter...

I have not claimed as such, it may merely have been just a more
convenient, shortwheel-based, quick steering, high handlebarred bike
that is suitable for low speed antics and doesn't overheat and get
grumpy on a warm day muckin about in carparks.

I raise auto scooter as the licensing classification differentiates
between auto and manual licences.

But the pass certificate only covers the type of bike ridden on part
of the test phases.

Now if RTA had specified licence categories for either red bikes or
pink bikes (with tassles), then I would be asking the same...doing the
prelearner and ride phases on a red bike then switching to the pink
bike (with tassles) for the MOST phase.

Cam, can I borrow ya pink bike mate?

oh agreed! FWIW a >300kg 650cc, longwheelbase cruiser completes all
aspects of the MOST with far greater finesse than a <200kg, litreclass
sportsbike...apart from the Quick Stoppie oops Stop.

 

Oh, OK, sorry, I thought you seemed to have some kind of disapproval in
your original question.

Under the circumstances outlined in the original thing, I (mistakenly)
took it that you thought there was....again, sorry.

Yup.

The auto-manual business seems to have been done without too much, or
even enough, thought and planning.

At one stage, and it may still be in place, there were conditions
applied to the auto licence relating to engine capacity, that were not,
AFAIK, ever "properly" established within the framework of the existing
rules and regulations....... if you prefer that in plain english, they
made it as as they were going along! :-|

I have not done the course to administer the MOST.

AFAIK, the normal expectation is that people will do the road ride and
the MOST on their own bikes.

Again, AFAIK, the person administering the test can allow someone to
change bikes between the road ride and the MOST.

So, again AFAIK, the tester would be acting within their powers to allow
the situation of a person doing the road ride on a regular bike, and
then the MOST on an automatic scooter.

However, I cannot imagine what circumstances might justify them allowing
it, nor can I see it, in any significant way, as a cheat or easy way
round the test, which is what I was getting at in my earlier post.

Sorry, mate, but I don't own a pink bike any more, and, when I did, it
didn't have tassels!

Pardon?

To try to illustrate what I am getting at, my Z50 Honda is, in some
respects the cheatingest and easiest bike to do the MOST on.

U-turn in the box, not a problem, it can do figure of eights in the box.

Quick swerves...easy!

Stoppies....easy!

Only problem is that you actually have to know how to ride a motorcycle
before you can get it to do all that, and, if you don't know how to
ride, it _will_ bite you.

I have, in the past, offered it on loan to several 80 y.o. Ulysses Club
members when they were facing doing the standard MOST, but I certainly
wouldn't let a learner loose on it.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

My experience is of the ACT system, but the Stay Upright centre that does
Canberra is located just outside Queanbehole, and also does NSW stuff. I
think they sometimes combine the two on a couple of the courses.

One of the (few) times I attempted my MOST, there was somebody there who did
the test on a postie bike. Now, the thing is, I don't know whether they were
a NSW or ACT candidate, but from memory, they weren't allowed to ride a
'motorcycle' while on their Ps. Dunno what would happen when they graduated
to a full licence... (caveat: this was 3 years ago and my memory ain't what
it used to be, heh heh)

Gee, I was hoping to say something useful - hope I haven't muddied the
waters even more!

betty

 

The Schools have a nice lil earner in hiring out bikes for just the
MOST.

People do pass the road session, fail the MOST and come back another
day, booked in for just the MOST. I have seen learners also turn up
on there own bike and hire a school bike for the MOST...switching
bikes is not an issue indeed...it is a strategy.

Or the opposite...but why would you...the licence certification
appears to be based on what type of bike (auto or manual) you use for
the prelearners and the road test session..the type of bike for the
MOST is irrelevant.

Thus my point...some bikes are easier to do the MOST on than
others...the characteristics of a typical scooter (which
are ..typically...automatic) small wheels, light, easy to handle,
great for low speed operations etc etc. will make aspects of the MOST
easier to do.

Yes, can find exceptions of course.

At least two different contractors hire bikes and learners do ditch
their own bikes and hire the school bike JUST FOR THE MOST.

It is no more "cheating" than, say, adopting a strategy of blitzing
all the tests and blowing points on the U turn by deliberately
crossing just one of the lines..instead of failing the entire MOST by
wobbling over all the lines.

The objective is to pass..there is no judgment passed on whether it is
ir should have been done on your own daily bike..or the bike you
intend to buy next week...or whether you passed without hitting a
line.