book a motorcycle test with Pass Bike Motorcycle Training in Southend

Purdeys Way, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1ND

info@passbike.co.uk

01702 619423

www.passbike.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/Passbike-Motorcycle-Training-499436203424874

Indoor classroom

Bike hire included

Helmet hire included

Gloves and jacket hire included

Nearest Public transport

Rochford Train Station

About Pass Bike Motorcycle Training

History
Pass Bike has been training students since 2013, we have steadily grown each year to provide the best level of service possible. We are not new to motorcycles, if fact the directors family have been in the motor trade since 1946, opening the one of the first driving and riding schools in the early 50s and been advanced drivers and riders since that time. Our local motorcycle training heritage goes back over 35 years.

Team Pass Bike
Instructors who work at Pass Bike have all been assessed by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) they all have been rated at the highest level. We are proud of their ratings and list them on our website. Our instructors are qualified tutors and many have professional teaching qualifications to back up their DVSA accreditation. As riders all of the instructors are advanced motorcyclists, some are emergency services blue light trained. Our instructors are all first aiders or higher. Our head instructor is only one of a very small number of riders to hold the special test accreditation from the DVSA. We have both male and female instructors who are passionate about motorcycles and teaching. Click here to meet the team!

Training Centre
Pass Bike has its own training centre, we own it, built to our specification in Rochford. We do not share our centre with any other training school, no leaving the site to let another school use the facilities or part time booking of a playground or car park, everything you need to learn and relax is here on site with us, private changing room, toilet, even tea, coffee or hot chocolate is available.

Machinery
We want to give our students the chance to experience modern riding techniques and innovations like usd/bpf forks, efi, digital engine management, modern brakes and handling. Our training motorcycles are expertly maintained by qualified staff in our own in house on site workshop. All of our motorcycles are under three years old. We have a 2020/2018 motorcycle for every course right from moped to full category A licence. The bikes can be lowered to suit shorter riders, our lowest setting gives us a class leading height of 730mm. 

Courses
Pass Bike is known for innovation, our director was awarded an MBE for inventing the worlds most popular motorcycle medical alert. It's in our DNA. We have the widest range of courses available anywhere, from our own "First Ride" an entry level introduction to riding through the DVSA accredited CBT and full licence courses. Advanced Status with the nationally recognised ERS qualification and with a link up with British Motorcycle Racing Club motorcycle racing as well.

Come and See us!
We are open 7 days a week at our Rochford HQ, we have social rides with many successful students joining us during the year for events, we sponsor local clubs and are proud to Sponsor the Westcliff Rugby Clubs Ladies team and Southend Rugby Club. Motorcycles are our passion and we are delighted once again to sponsor Charlie Crawt Racing in the mini twins championship. We have open days and give demonstration rides on behalf of manufacturers. Approved to supply training to many clubs, companies and councils why not come and see us to find out how we can help you get onto two wheels. Or take a look at our facebook page to see some of our reviews and people who have #passedwithpassbike

What are the different types of motorcycle licence I can get in Southend?

There are 4 main types of full motorcycle licence issued by the DVSA. The first three (AM, A1 and A2 motorcycle licences) have restrictions on the type of moped or motorcycle you can ride, the fourth (the full A motorcycle licence) has no restrictions.

book a motorcycle test in Southend

The AM restricted moped licence

This is the only licence available to you when you are 16 years old. This licence allows you to ride a moped of 50 cc or less which has a top speed of 28 mph, with a passenger and without Learner plates. If you are only interested in riding a moped and nothing more then this licence could be right for you. If you want to ride a more powerful motorcycle then you might find it better to wait until you are 17. From the age of 17 onwards you can take the A1 motorcycle test which allows you to ride motorcycle up to 125 cc and with some restrictions on its power to weight ratio.

The A1 restricted motorcycle licence

The minimum age to take this test is 17. According to the DVSA website it will allow you to ride a "Light motorcycle up to 11 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.1 kW per kg) and 125 cc". This means it's up to a 125 cc motorcycle with some restrictions to make sure it cannot accelerate too fast - a really good idea when you are new to riding a motorbike!

Requirements to take the A1 motorcycle test - You must have a UK provisional or full driving licence, a valid theory test certificate and a valid CBT certificate. Once you have taken this test you will not have to keep renewing your CBT certificate every 2 years, you can ride on motorways and you can take a pillion passenger on the back of your motorbike.

book a motorcycle test in Southend

The A2 restricted motorcycle licence

For this licence you need to be at least 19 years of age, have completed your CBT or have had an A1 licence for at least 2 years. As with the A1 test you also need to have a UK provisional or full driving licence and a valid theory test certificate . The main benefit of getting an A2 licence is you can ride a more powerful motorcycle. The law states a "standard motorcycle up to 35 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW per kg)". So it's a more powerful bike, but still not completely un-restricted. To find A2 legal motorbikes you are best visiting your local motorcycle dealer and asking them to show you the A2 legal bikes, as otherwise it's very difficult to work out just looking at the tech specs.

The full A motorcycle licence, or DAS licence.

This is the licence that allows you to ride almost any motorcycle without restrictions, so it's the ultimate motorcycle licence. No limits on power outputs or power per kg or engine size! It is also called a 'DAS' licence as it can be obtained from the 'Direct AccesS' route. There are two ways you can get this licence:

1) If you are 24 or over you can take the tests for an A licence. You must also have a UK provisional or full driving licence, a valid theory test certificate and a valid CBT certificate

2) If you are at least 21 years of age and you have held an A2 category licence for at least 2 years. This is sometimes referred to as the 'progressive access' route as you progress from one licence to another.

When taking the test the biggest difference is that you have to use a bigger, more powerful motorcycle. It will have a power of at least 40kw and an engine cc of at least 595 cc. Your local training school will make sure you have the right size bike for your test.

There is also a flowchart (click here) that the DVLA have produced that shows these different licences and how to obtain them.

To get more detailed guidance on what licence is right for you then talk to your local motorcycle training school. You can search for them here and they are qualified to speak to you on the right type of training for you.

What are the main parts of a motorcycle test?

CBT is only part of motorcycle training. To get your full motorcycle licence you need to pass the following tests:

book a motorcycle test in Southend

Theory and hazard perception tests

These are completed at your local DVSA theory test centre. The theory test is a 57 minute test taken under exam conditions. It will check that you have a thorough knowledge of the Highway Code and check that you understand the theory of riding a motorcycle. The hazard perception test takes about 15 minutes and is taken straight after the theoury test. You will be shown a set of videos that show road situations from a motorcycle riders point of view. As you are watching the videos you have to indicate where you think a possible hazard is developing. The sooner you identify a hazard the higher the score you will get.

There are some useful resources for helping you pass your motorcycle theory test. Firstly is the DVSA video on passing your theory test, just click this link. There is also a video to help with your hazard perception test here. If you'd like to practice the theory test then click this link, and there is also a practice for the hazard percption test here.

Compulsory basic training - CBT

This is the training that takes a day to complete, sometimes longer and contains a mixture of classroom theory, off road practice and on road riding. It is completed at a motorcycle training school, you can find your closest motorcycle training school by clicking here. You can read up about all the details of compulsory basic training here.

The module 1 (mod 1) test

You can view a video from the DVSA all about the module 1 test here. This test normally takes about 20 minutes and is taken in a completely off road setting. You will be taken to a large tarmac area where you will need to demonstrate your ability to carry out the following manoeuvres:

  • wheeling the moped or motorcycle and using the stand
  • riding a slalom and figure of 8
  • a slow ride
  • a U-turn
  • cornering and a controlled stop
  • cornering and an emergency stop
  • cornering and hazard avoidance

Once you have completed the test you will be told if you have passed or failed. You must pass the module 1 test before taking the module 2 test. Therefore be careful when you book, as if your module 2 test is too soon after your module 1 test and you fail the module 1 you will not be able to take your module 2 test.

book a motorcycle test in Southend

The module 2 (mod 2) test

You can view a video from the DVSA all about the module 2 test here. This test involves riding on road and takes about 40 minutes in total. You will need to carry out the following things:

  1. an eyesight check
  2. show me, tell me vehicle safety questions
  3. road riding
  4. independent riding

You must bring your module 1 pass certificate to the module 2 test, you cannot take the module 2 test without a module 1 pass certificate.

The eyesight check involves reading a number plate from 20 metres away. 'Show me, tell me' is where you will be asked 2 vehicle safety questions from this list. As well as answering you must show the examiner what you are talking about by demonstrating it on the motorcycle. With the road ride the examiner will give you instructions through a radio link and will normally follow you on a motorcycle to observe your riding. The last 10 minutes will be independent riding which is designed to assess your ability to ride safely while making your own decisions. After telling you a set of directions you will be expected to carry them out safely and independently.