Practice and preparation are key for any candidate who is preparing for a motorcycle road test. However, all those hours of practice will be useless if you don’t remember the crucial things on that fateful day. For instance, you could be the best student in terms of skills but a simple thing like forgetting to switch off your phone during your DMV motorcycle exam could put you in a lot of trouble. If you answer and get caught when the test is ongoing, don’t be surprised when you get an instant fail. All those perfect maneuvers that you completed won’t save you! Yes, sometimes it is the little things that matter, and the motorcycle road test is no exception.
Don’t repeat the same mistake thrice- If the examiners will not catch you on the big mistake, they will try to get you on the small mistakes. A lot of candidates get away with doing small mistakes but repeating the same mistakes over and over again can get you a fail. Like stalling a motorcycle because you forgot to put the kickstand up. Do it once, it is okay. Do it twice, it is okay. But if you repeat it three times in a row, most examiners will not be so patient. Of course, this rule only applies to minor mistakes that won’t get you an automatic fail.
Confidence is very important- The examiner will want to see you control the motorcycle with an aura of confidence. If you’re the nervous type, work on effective ways to reduce stress. You can try working out, getting enough sleep, and avoiding too much caffeine before the DMV motorcycle exam/road test. Once you’re out on the road, avoid jerky acceleration and braking too much especially when making turns. Always ensure that you ride the motorcycle smoothly. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale anytime you feel nervous. Even if you’re nervous, act confident like you have ridden the motorcycle a million times. It is all about having a positive mindset.
Observe and pay attention- Paying attention to the road is not just about keeping your eyes zoomed on the road ahead. A crucial part of being a good motorcycle rider is being aware of your surroundings and constantly avoiding any potential threats to your safety. You have to check your mirrors, signal, and shoulder check before making a turn, switching lanes, or merging into traffic. Don’t forget to cancel your signal too after you have successfully completed your turn.
Watch your speed- Over speeding usually constitutes an instant fail. You have to remember to check your speedometer once in a while. Under-speeding way too far below the speed limit won’t do you any favors either. It will only make you appear like you lack confidence and control which the examiner can use as an excuse to get you a re-test.
Don’t lose control on a slippery slope- Riding uphill or downhill can be tricky if you’re not used to it. Usually, if you’re at a stop while facing uphill, your motorcycle will have an urge to roll backward. However, you can prevent it by applying the rear brake, pressing the throttle, and engaging the clutch. As soon as you feel the motorcycle is trying to move forward, disengage the back brake. Just don’t stall. On the other hand, switch to a steady gear while riding downhill to avoid overspending.
Put your left foot down when you stop- When you stop, it is the left foot that should touch the ground and not the right foot. In most motorcycle models, the right foot is used to apply pressure on the rear brake. Hence, the examiner will be expecting you to keep the rear brake busy especially on an uphill stop.
Buy good quality and fitting gear- Most candidates don’t put too much thought into their riding gear not realizing the gear plays a big role in their comfort. In fact, if you’re uncomfortable in your riding gear, chances are it will make you feel nervous. Before the road test, seek expert advice on the best fitting gear for your size and only purchase what makes you feel comfortable.
Run a safety analysis- You can bet the examiner will check your motorcycle and it is faulty, there will be no other option but to re-schedule the road test. But why risk it when you can do a safety analysis on your motorcycle in advance before the test? Make sure you remember to double-check everything from the lights, brakes to the chain just in case.
Remember the basic rules- Remember the basic road rules you learned when preparing for your motorcycle permit test? Well, 50 percent of people who fail the road test do so because of making silly mistakes like stopping at a yield sign when there is no traffic, running a red light, or stop sign.
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