"2009 Bike Test Consultation Paper" thread in "Staying Alive"
Originally Posted by phuk72 That's very true, the school my Mrs is using to do her DAS is facing, with the proposed closure of the ...

The Spin Doctor · 03-12-08, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuk72

That's very true, the school my Mrs is using to do her DAS is facing, with the proposed closure of the local test centre, a 120 mile round trip to the nearest new centre. He doesn't seem hopeful of long term employment!

I think he needs to get creative.

It's arguable that bike training has got stuck in a rut - too many people think the only way to learn is to by riding round and round the test centre.

The premise of the test is that you should be able to pass it regardless of where you've taken training. I'll admit that in practice, there are always local problem areas that will catch even experienced riders out that need to be explained, but how much of this actually needs to be done in the test area?

Voyager · 03-12-08, 12:51

I see a potential profitable business from opening high class training schools with quality accommodation near test centres.

All I need is the bank to lend me some money.....

Damn.

The Spin Doctor · 03-12-08, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voyager

I see a potential profitable business from opening high class training schools with quality accommodation near test centres.

All I need is the bank to lend me some money.....

Damn.

Quite a lot of money, given the price of land, the size of the off-road area needed to practice the swerve and brake exercises, and the need to "encourage" the planning permission required to run something like that.

Voyager · 03-12-08, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Spin Doctor

Quite a lot of money, given the price of land, the size of the off-road area needed to practice the swerve and brake exercises, and the need to "encourage" the planning permission required to run something like that.

I know. But you don't need to buy the land - but you do need to secure tenancy for (say) 10 years and there are going to be more than a few empty industrial units about soon....

Think of the jobs you'll be creating. Planning doesn't need to be too much of a problem in a recession.

Bladerideressex · 03-12-08, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voyager

I see a potential profitable business from opening high class training schools with quality accommodation near test centres.

All I need is the bank to lend me some money.....

Damn.

The DSA should be able to give you a rough price for a business needing about 65 such sites although am sure you can manage with smaller on site offices than they do.... about £70m should do it!

When do you want to be open for business by??

Voyager · 03-12-08, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bladerideressex

The DSA should be able to give you a rough price for a business needing about 65 such sites although am sure you can manage with smaller on site offices than they do.... about £70m should do it!

When do you want to be open for business by??

You wouldn't need 65 sites - major urban conurbations would not really need them. But place a few in 'scenic' areas and offer all sorts of post test training and there should be money in it. Could have bike sales and/or an HG franchise for added income.

Bladerideressex · 03-12-08, 13:45

I actually agree that there could be mileage in this approach but if you are not covering the major conurbations then surely you are missing out on the highest volume of bike trainees and hence income??

Voyager · 03-12-08, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bladerideressex

I actually agree that there could be mileage in this approach but if you are not covering the major conurbations then surely you are missing out on the highest volume of bike trainees and hence income??

Two reasons - Why would they need accommodation and I doubt (but have not researched it) that there is a shortage of established training schools in the area(s) already?

phuk72 · 03-12-08, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Spin Doctor

I think he needs to get creative.

It's arguable that bike training has got stuck in a rut - too many people think the only way to learn is to by riding round and round the test centre.

The premise of the test is that you should be able to pass it regardless of where you've taken training. I'll admit that in practice, there are always local problem areas that will catch even experienced riders out that need to be explained, but how much of this actually needs to be done in the test area?

Agree completely that you should be able to pass your bike test anywhere but it doesn't work like that - people want to familiarise themselves with the test area and maximise chances of passing (after all, a re test is £80!). If an instructor doesn't take the pupils there then there is a chance that the pass average will decrease and and poor reuputation built up.

And, as has been said on here already, cost seems to be a key factor in choosing an instructor. Let's just take the new off road part of the test - OK it may only be 10 minutes but (for this school) at 60 miles to get to a new test centre you are looking at needing to leave 2 hours before the test to get there OK - and then 1.5 hours back. Factor in fuel and insurance etc, I can't imagine many instructors doing that for less than £100. And that will go straight on top of the DAS cost.

And then the same extra to get back to the test centre for the road element of the test. Start hiking up DAS to the best part of £1000 when and I'd be ready to bet that punters will start looking elsewhere.

Bladerideressex · 03-12-08, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voyager

Two reasons - Why would they need accommodation and I doubt (but have not researched it) that there is a shortage of established training schools in the area(s) already?

with which I agree...but what would be the point in opening training centres unless they are near the MPTCs anyway?? and as you say these are likely to be served already by existing schools .... so maybe somewhere in between the 2?

ps... it was your proposal not mine!

Voyager · 03-12-08, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bladerideressex

but what would be the point in opening training centres unless they are near the MPTCs anyway?? and as you say these are likely to be served already by existing schools .... so maybe somewhere in between the 2?

No, I said training establishments with accommodation. It's for the students. Train and stay on site - more time for training, less for the instructors taking the students from the test centre. Could offer more training for the time - or be a faster route to a test pass.

I would imagine that some schools with slightly business-mined owners that are near test centres will have plans in place about this already.

The Spin Doctor · 03-12-08, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuk72

Agree completely that you should be able to pass your bike test anywhere but it doesn't work like that - people want to familiarise themselves with the test area and maximise chances of passing (after all, a re test is £80!). If an instructor doesn't take the pupils there then there is a chance that the pass average will decrease and and poor reuputation built up.

I would argue that if all you can do is ride the test route, then you're not really being trained to ride.

Quote:

And, as has been said on here already, cost seems to be a key factor in choosing an instructor. Let's just take the new off road part of the test - OK it may only be 10 minutes but (for this school) at 60 miles to get to a new test centre you are looking at needing to leave 2 hours before the test to get there OK - and then 1.5 hours back. Factor in fuel and insurance etc, I can't imagine many instructors doing that for less than £100. And that will go straight on top of the DAS cost.

You'll be lucky to do 60 miles in two hours if there's any kind of town in the way! You can't use motorways and you'll likely be travelling in the rush hour too.

OK, the school can fit practical riding training in around the off-road test slot, but it will undoubtedly have an impact.

Quote:

And then the same extra to get back to the test centre for the road element of the test. Start hiking up DAS to the best part of £1000 when and I'd be ready to bet that punters will start looking elsewhere.

You mean, they might have to make do with a second hand bike?

Horse · 03-12-08, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuk72

Other than being 2 tests as opposed to 1, how is this actually different to what was supposed to be introduced in September this year?

The difference, as I read [between the lines] is a 'take it or leave it' choice: either accept the current [lack of] MPT centres, or accept the lack of centres with the option, in some areas aditional areas, of 'modular' testing in the only way DSA can manage (eg weekend use of VOSA sites*).

*Spilt diesel, anyone?

elldrivers · 03-12-08, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horse

The difference, as I read [between the lines] is a 'take it or leave it' choice: either accept the current [lack of] MPT centres, or accept the lack of centres with the option, in some areas aditional areas, of 'modular' testing in the only way DSA can manage (eg weekend use of VOSA sites*).

*Spilt diesel, anyone?

weekend rates will always be higher in price, a trailer test during the week is 105 at the weekend its 125.
those test areas are under used I don't know why they didn't use some of them, good timing could see them in constant use, very cost effective

The Spin Doctor · 03-12-08, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by elldrivers

weekend rates will always be higher in price, a trailer test during the week is 105 at the weekend its 125.
those test areas are under used I don't know why they didn't use some of them, good timing could see them in constant use, very cost effective

In the original consultation the use of the HGV test sites was dismissed as the area couldn't be guaranteed to be clear of diesel contamination.

03-12-08, 12:51	#17 (permalink)
Voyager Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8,827 Casino cash: £232800 Thanks: 46 Thanked: 125/109	Re: 2009 Bike Test Consultation Paper I see a potential profitable business from opening high class training schools with quality accommodation near test centres. All I need is the bank to lend me some money..... Damn.

03-12-08, 13:45	#22 (permalink)
Bladerideressex How Many Bikes? Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Billericay, Essex Posts: 1,002 Casino cash: £501051 Thanks: 16 Thanked: 18/18	Re: 2009 Bike Test Consultation Paper I actually agree that there could be mileage in this approach but if you are not covering the major conurbations then surely you are missing out on the highest volume of bike trainees and hence income??

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"2009 Bike Test Consultation Paper" thread in "Staying Alive" Originally Posted by phuk72 That's very true, the school my Mrs is using to do her DAS is facing, with the proposed closure of the ...

"2009 Bike Test Consultation Paper" thread in "Staying Alive"
Originally Posted by phuk72 That's very true, the school my Mrs is using to do her DAS is facing, with the proposed closure of the ...