Independent riding. Both are conducted on the public roads which is why the PDL. 6.01 are only conducted in session 7 or 8 for traffic reasons. I don't think it's just so that its easier to be on the roads but also not to cause too much inconveniences to qualified road users.
Mine was on Tuesday (15th Sep) session 8. The traffic was minimal. The lesson is structured mostly for experience sake, especially for those who have no prior road experience. Its not really that daunting because its just riding around the Bt Batok neighbourhood. Don't even need to do U-turns. Just need to know what to hazards to look out for, how to approach crossings and junctions, and when to do the checks. All these are little demerits which will add up.
7.01 (18th Sep session 2) is essentially the same but the circuit is the actual test route, which means U-turn included. A practise session will be done on the circuit before moving off to public roads. So its quite crucial to get the technicals right before then.
There will not be a lot of opportunities to correct your mistakes once on the public road and the instructors will conduct the assessment regardless of how you did during practise or warm up. 6 of us in the group and we only manage to do the circuit 3 times.
Friday, 18 September 2015
Saturday, 12 September 2015
PDL and TP test, confirmed
After a long night of election results and work, finally got to TP licensing counter. Its about an hour's wait but I guess this is the normal Saturday queue, especially after a public holiday of the GE2015.
The process is simple, fill up a short form at the counter (or I think you can get it at a tray while waiting for your turn), show your NRIC (or relevant documents) and a NETs card, take a eyesight test and $25 later, your PDL.
After which, you can update this new information with the BBDC at the customer service counter. I do wish that perhaps traffic police department would eventually share this information digitally and remove this process altogether, especially in this time and age.
6.01 opened up, and of course my practical test is now available for booking. 27th October 2015, 8.15am. Looking forward.
The process is simple, fill up a short form at the counter (or I think you can get it at a tray while waiting for your turn), show your NRIC (or relevant documents) and a NETs card, take a eyesight test and $25 later, your PDL.
After which, you can update this new information with the BBDC at the customer service counter. I do wish that perhaps traffic police department would eventually share this information digitally and remove this process altogether, especially in this time and age.
6.01 opened up, and of course my practical test is now available for booking. 27th October 2015, 8.15am. Looking forward.
Friday, 11 September 2015
RCx2, 5.02 and PPL 1.03
Over the past 1 week, I have managed to attempt RC twice before going for 5.02, and a PPL 1.03 after which just happened yesterday. This was because I know I have several weaknesses in the circuit and I figure I may as well iron them out before the evaluation anyway. There are probably "natural born riders" who can obtain a 2B without much of a revision or practise, at least not within a school context. But I know I need some and before 5.02 is as good a time as any.
RC is a guided circuit revision, as opposed to SP which is a "own time own target" session. So I guess it depends on your needs and your learning preference. SP will only be available after 5.02.
During the 2 RCs, I definitely improved but not as much as I would have hoped to. Both times, I made mistakes and made me wonder if my 5.02 would be a waste of time. But I managed to pull through with a 10 demerit score and as of this writing, I am waiting to apply for PDL and book a TP test.
Right after the 5.02, its PPL 1.03. I would not really say that the PPLs are a complete waste of time but, The schedule could have been better. As in, made available for people who prefer earlier timings. The materials can, in my opinion be condensed and be conducted within 2 sessions. The importance of this is understandable but the scheduling for sessions just plain sucks.
In any case, I am glad my schedule is flexible enough and I manage to clear them before they become a real problem.
On an unrelated note, I hope there will be some freak election results announced tonight, on this historically significant day in the history of man, and now Singapore. What an exciting 2015 it is turning out for me.
RC is a guided circuit revision, as opposed to SP which is a "own time own target" session. So I guess it depends on your needs and your learning preference. SP will only be available after 5.02.
During the 2 RCs, I definitely improved but not as much as I would have hoped to. Both times, I made mistakes and made me wonder if my 5.02 would be a waste of time. But I managed to pull through with a 10 demerit score and as of this writing, I am waiting to apply for PDL and book a TP test.
Right after the 5.02, its PPL 1.03. I would not really say that the PPLs are a complete waste of time but, The schedule could have been better. As in, made available for people who prefer earlier timings. The materials can, in my opinion be condensed and be conducted within 2 sessions. The importance of this is understandable but the scheduling for sessions just plain sucks.
In any case, I am glad my schedule is flexible enough and I manage to clear them before they become a real problem.
On an unrelated note, I hope there will be some freak election results announced tonight, on this historically significant day in the history of man, and now Singapore. What an exciting 2015 it is turning out for me.
Friday, 4 September 2015
PPL 1.01 and 1.02, and 5.01
Over the last 2 days, I attended the 2B subjects PPL1.01, 5.01 (session 8) and PPL 1.02 the following day, in this order.
5.01 was passed but not without a gentle reminder from the instructor. My performance on that night was less than satisfactory and he is certain I will not pass the 5.02 evaluation, and I agree. I was that much more nervous that particular night. Not because it was my first time riding in the night, but because I will pillion someone later at this lesson. His life will be my hands, almost literally. But it was not that bad but more on that later.
Session 8 (peak rate) turns out be better than day sessions, for me. Its much cooler and there are less learners in the circuit. The traffic is a bit like session 1 but at better temperatures and a more manageable timing. I am a morning person but rushing for that 7.30am without coffee is not a great idea. Plus I could actually see that 30km/h indicator in front of the bike lighting up clearly. Useful especially when I do the E-brake stretch.
U-turn was simple enough once you master the 1st-gear-half-clutch.
Pillion riding was an experience but we only need to do it for the general riding tracks in the circuit. At the end of the lesson, few of us were thinking we had to pillion each other and go through narrow plank and pylons and the S and crank courses. But of course we were glad we do not need to.
So 5.01 is something like an RC with U-turn and pillion thrown in. So the focus was not as much on passing the circuit items (although you are expected to already) but more on whether you can do U-turn and experience pillion riding. The instructor passed me with some hesitation and strongly recommends that I do some RCs before attempting 5.02. But I guess we should do RCs for good measure anyway because we all can use more experience in riding. For the school, it means more $$ but I can appreciate that because I do not want to waste too much time and or money on 5.02.
PPL 1.01 covered some videos to drive home the point the need for defensive riding. More of this in PPL 1.02 but also at the end, there was a chance to use the simulator. Was not fun and was not realistic at all. But we all could see the point, and that is not to take things for granted.
Reason I did 3 subjects within 2 days was, PPL slots are less often compared to 5.01. So I made a point to book PPL and work my schedule around it. PPL 1.02 (and even 1.03 but I could not attend) was available the following day and so I went ahead. However, if you know you will not be attempting 5.02 just yet (like me), then there is no need to rush them through. 5.02 + BTT pass are needed to get PDL.
BTW, why isn't that called PRL for Class 2B?
5.01 was passed but not without a gentle reminder from the instructor. My performance on that night was less than satisfactory and he is certain I will not pass the 5.02 evaluation, and I agree. I was that much more nervous that particular night. Not because it was my first time riding in the night, but because I will pillion someone later at this lesson. His life will be my hands, almost literally. But it was not that bad but more on that later.
Session 8 (peak rate) turns out be better than day sessions, for me. Its much cooler and there are less learners in the circuit. The traffic is a bit like session 1 but at better temperatures and a more manageable timing. I am a morning person but rushing for that 7.30am without coffee is not a great idea. Plus I could actually see that 30km/h indicator in front of the bike lighting up clearly. Useful especially when I do the E-brake stretch.
U-turn was simple enough once you master the 1st-gear-half-clutch.
Pillion riding was an experience but we only need to do it for the general riding tracks in the circuit. At the end of the lesson, few of us were thinking we had to pillion each other and go through narrow plank and pylons and the S and crank courses. But of course we were glad we do not need to.
So 5.01 is something like an RC with U-turn and pillion thrown in. So the focus was not as much on passing the circuit items (although you are expected to already) but more on whether you can do U-turn and experience pillion riding. The instructor passed me with some hesitation and strongly recommends that I do some RCs before attempting 5.02. But I guess we should do RCs for good measure anyway because we all can use more experience in riding. For the school, it means more $$ but I can appreciate that because I do not want to waste too much time and or money on 5.02.
PPL 1.01 covered some videos to drive home the point the need for defensive riding. More of this in PPL 1.02 but also at the end, there was a chance to use the simulator. Was not fun and was not realistic at all. But we all could see the point, and that is not to take things for granted.
Reason I did 3 subjects within 2 days was, PPL slots are less often compared to 5.01. So I made a point to book PPL and work my schedule around it. PPL 1.02 (and even 1.03 but I could not attend) was available the following day and so I went ahead. However, if you know you will not be attempting 5.02 just yet (like me), then there is no need to rush them through. 5.02 + BTT pass are needed to get PDL.
BTW, why isn't that called PRL for Class 2B?
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
4.02
This part of stage 4 is the circuit review. It is broken into 2 routes as clearly written in the manual. The instructor at this stage is to walk you through the circuit routes as learnt from 2.01 to 4.01. And to point out the possible mistakes and demerits you may possibility incur ie. the weak points.
To pass, you have to do decently enough to show that you can do all the previous items without much of a trouble.
I generally did ok with all the items but various issues and bad habits were pointed out. Given a pass but I reckon I have to do RCs to clear them out before eventual formal evaluations.
Passing this stage will open up PPL and RC for bookings, other than the next stage 5.01. It was recommended by the instructor to do PPLs while clearing stage 5, to save on waiting time.
The schedule for PPLs is not as favourable as I would like them to be. But I guess I will move things around to suit this one and clear them, asap.
To pass, you have to do decently enough to show that you can do all the previous items without much of a trouble.
I generally did ok with all the items but various issues and bad habits were pointed out. Given a pass but I reckon I have to do RCs to clear them out before eventual formal evaluations.
Passing this stage will open up PPL and RC for bookings, other than the next stage 5.01. It was recommended by the instructor to do PPLs while clearing stage 5, to save on waiting time.
The schedule for PPLs is not as favourable as I would like them to be. But I guess I will move things around to suit this one and clear them, asap.
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