When can I ride?

I passed my test a few weeks ago and sent of the form about a
few days later but still haven't got my licence back. When can I
ride a bike without L plates or a bigger bike? Do I have to wait
for my licence to arrive? I'm getting desperate to buy the
bigger bike of my dreams rather than my CG125!

 

As far as I know, the minute you're told you've passed, you're free to ride.
The rest is formalities.

 

John McGowan emerged from their own little world to say

You can remove the L plates before you leave the test centre. In fact,
riding the CG125 on L plates is technically an offence IIRC.

You can also ride a larger bike immediately (sub 33bhp if you passed your
test on the CG125).

The only issue might be if you want to test ride your chosen bike: a dealer
might refuse if you can't produce a valid licence.

 

Great news! Thanks.

Yeah, that might be a problem. I went to a dealer today and they
said I needed my licence to ride anything more than a 125 - and
that as I was a new rider I wouldn't be covered by their
insurance either so I couldn't have a test ride anyway! Probably
cos I'm only 19. Anything's got to be better than the 125
though, so long as it's warrantied for a bit I guess I'll be OK.

Got to get myself some new cloth too, have been borrowing my
brothers and he said I've got to get my own. Went to Infinity at
the weekend - so much gear to chose from. Thought the hardest
bit would be getting a bike. Is it all much the same and just
down to how it looks/feels? Need jacket pants and boots. Big bro
will probably want his spare helmet back too, when he gets a new
girlfriend to ride on the back. I'll have about £300 left after
buying a new bike - any advice?

 

John McGowan emerged from their own little world to say

Paging BGN. BGN to the customer service desk.

 

If you need anyone to hold your hand while you're out shopping, let me
know and I'll visit.

How are you paying for your insurance? That'll be about £400 TPF&T
(And don't skimp on the Theft part. More motorcycles are stolen in
the UK than there are bought new)

I've posted it here before.

"My First Kit"

£160 HJC Sy-Max Helmet
£30 RST Waterproof gloves
£90 Akito Python II Jacket
£50 Nitro boots
£10 Swift waterproof over-trousers
£4 Neck tube

That's £344, and all of it is new.

HJC Sy-Max: You can easily get a helmet for less than that - I paid a
premium because it had a flip up front. (RIP HJC SyMax
<http://hayn.gotadsl.co.uk/bike/crash/helmet.jpg>)

RST Waterproof gloves: I've just bought my second pair of waterproof
gloves, same model but different colour, as I damaged my last ones by
whacking the knuckle armour with my head on day. They were still
waterproof. (RIP RST Waterproof gloves
<http://hayn.gotadsl.co.uk/bike/crash/gloves.jpg>)

Python II jacket is a fab piece of kit with many pockets - but if you
do get a Python II then make sure that you get the OLD model, the now
Python I is pants. Make sure it has the proper reflective tubing on
it, and that it has a pocket above your arse. If you're XXL then I
have a red/black Akito Cobra armoured motorcycle jacket going here if
you want to make me an offer. It's been worn but it's just sitting in
a bag now as it was an interim replacement while I sourced a decent
model red/black Python II (RIP blue and black Python II
<http://hayn.gotadsl.co.uk/bike/crash/jacket.jpg>)

Nitro Boots took some abuse (and were crashed in early on in their
life) and started to fall apart after about 7 months. Unlike the rest
of my equipment, I didn't replace it with more Nitro boots, I bought
something more expensive. (RIP Nitro Boots)

Swift waterproof over-trousers were quite handy, and they didn't leak
initially, but they died in an unfortunate accident. I will rebuy
them sooner or later. (RIP Nitro Boots)

Neck tube was quite nice. They come in different formats, from boob
tubes for your neck, to more tailored thin cloths to Buffs. They Keep
Your Neck Warm When It's Cold. My original neck tube died in an
unfortunate accident when an ambulance crew decided that it wasn't
good for me. (RIP Neck tube)

 

You did take a photocopy, yes?

 

<fx Siren>
Made up fact alert!
Made up fact alert!

 

So nobody said it was _you_ that made it up.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

It's bollocks though. A quick poke around the MCIA website,
http://www.mcia.co.uk givesL

No. of m/cycles stolen in 2000: 36822 (est)
No. of m/cycles registered in 2000: 121,908

 

That obviously doesn't take account of all of the bikes that were
stolen before they were registered..... err, or something.

 

wessie wrote:
snip

Is this true? What about two people sharing one bike, one passes their
test before the other but wants to continue riding the 125 until perfect
big bike arrives?


--
Nick Brooks

GN125 ('till test passed)
1960 SWB Landrover
1974 Mercedes Camper Van
Klein Attitude
Golf VR6
Combined vehicle age 90

 

The L-Plates are to signify that the RIDER is LEARNING, not that the
BIKE is learning.

 

<me ponders> One can quite happily display L-Plates when one is having
a driving lesson. If one is going back for further training after
passing the test then one can display the L-Plate as it's a lesson.

I wonder what the legal standing on this is. If you were doing an IAM
or RSoPA course in an instructor's car, then there would be L-Plates
on display even though a full licence would already be held.

 

Buzzzzt. You have failed to answer the question. Which was "Is riding
on L plates after you've passed your test technically an offence?"


--
Nick Brooks

GN125 ('till test passed)
1960 SWB Landrover
1974 Mercedes Camper Van
Klein Attitude
Golf VR6
Combined vehicle age 90

 

No, it's not an offence.

 

That's what I thought, so wessie was talking bollocks.

--
Nick Brooks

GN125 ('till test passed)
1960 SWB Landrover
1974 Mercedes Camper Van
Klein Attitude
Golf VR6
Combined vehicle age 90

 

From Driving: The Essential Skills (ISBN 0-11-552224-7)

""
L-Plates (D-Plates)

You must display L-plates (D-plates) which conform to legal
specifications, and which are clearly visitble from in front of the
vehicle and from behind.

If the vehicle is NOT being driven by a learner driver, the L-plates
(D-plates should be removed or covered.
""

It says they "should" be removed, not "must" be removed. How many
driving instructors have you seen remove their L-plates at the end of
the lesson, drive to the next person, put the L-plates back on
again...

AFAIK the only legal issue would be if someone was riding a motorcycle
without L-plates when they legally needed them.

When I was doing my motorcycle training the instructors own bike died,
so he just used one of the riding school machines, which had L-plates
both ends.

Although I can't find it in the same book, I have read that they
should only be used when a lesson is taking place. I wonder what the
legal definition of a lesson would be. Would anyone else have to be
present? If you've passed your full test then you can still go back
for further driving lessons. I'm sure SWO will be along soon to give
their view on it all.

 

Wrong:

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/28.htm#3

"Vehicles. Any vehicle driven by a learner MUST display red L plates.
In Wales, either red D plates, red L plates, or both, can be used.
Plates MUST conform to legal specifications and MUST be clearly
visible to others from in front of the vehicle and from behind. Plates
should be removed or covered when not being driven by a learner
(except on driving school vehicles).
Law MV(DL)R reg 16 & sched 4 "

 

No, one can't.

See my other post.