Frequently Asked Questions
1/. What happens if I lose my CBT certificate? We can provide you with a duplicate CBT certificate at a cost of £20.00. This can be posted if need be. 2/. What happens if I lose my Theory Test or Motorcycle Pass certificate? The DSA will be able to provide you with a duplicate Pass certificate, please call their Customer Services number on 0300 300 1122. If your Theory Test was done more than a week before your Motorcycle Test is due to take place this should not be a problem. Please bear in mind that both certificates have a lifespan of two years. 3/. What happens if I lose my licence for the CBT, Theory or Motorcycle Test? You legally need to produce both parts of your licence for CBT, Theory Test and Motorcycle Test. If do not have these documents for any of these events you will be turned away, and fees forfeit. If you lose your licence you must let us know straight away, as well as contacting the DVLA to arrange a duplicate. If you have only lost the counterpart of your licence, you can obtain a temporary counterpart (called D441) from DVLA by calling 0870 240 0009 (valid for CBT only). You will need to allow three working days for this to arrive. 4/. What happens if the weather is bad? Please call us as early as possible to check the course is going ahead, if we have to cancel, we will re-arrange your training at no extra cost. As a rule, if it is safe, we would like you to arrive as some courses have a reasonable amount of theory that can be covered while we review the situation. 5/. What happens if I fail my Theory Test or Motorcycle Test? Please call us straight away to arrange another Theory Test. If we can’t get you a Theory Test before your Motorcycle Test, we can postpone the Motorcycle Test providing we are given 3 clear working days notice (including Saturdays). If you don’t inform us you may lose your Motorcycle Test fee. Failing your Theory Test does not prevent you from taking any training you may have booked.In the event that you fail the Motorcycle Test, you just need to come in for one day of training (as a minimum) to accompany your re-test, this will be at a subsided rate – please call for details. 6/. What happens if I don’t complete the CBT? You cannot fail a CBT; however you can take longer than one day to complete it. In this event you can either come back and re do the whole CBT at the heavily subsidised rate of £60.00, or take further training by way of personal tuition for £10.00 per hour (this would be suitable for someone who is not likely to complete the CBT on the second attempt). Please ask your instructor which option would suit you best. 7/. What happens if I am late?
Courses start at 09:00am, if you are late for CBT then you will be turned away because you are not allowed to miss anything, and it is unfair on the rest of the group to wait for you. If you are late for other courses we will try our best to accommodate you. The DSA will turn anyone away who arrives late for a Theory or Motorcycle Test and fees will be forfeit. Please call us as early as possible if you think you will not be on time.
8/. What happens if I want a refund?
Refunds are not given once a course has started (this includes the Theory Test) If your course has not started and you would like to cancel and receive a refund, you must give us 12 clear working days notice in writing (not including weekends) and any refund will be subject to a £50.00 administration fee. All matters concerning refunds must be done in writing.
9/. What happens if I only bring my ‘photo card part of my Driving Licence?
The law stipulates that you must provide both us, and the DSA, with the ‘photo card and counterpart of your licence. If you do not have them, you will be turned away and fees will be forfeit.
10/. What happens if the moped/motorcycle I hire breaks down?
We will either provide you with another machine, or reschedule for a different day at no extra cost.
11/. What happens if the moped/motorcycle I provide is not road legal?
You will need to hire a machine for £20.00 per day, if we have one available.
12/. Do I have to do my Theory Test in Swindon, Reading or Oxford?
No, we are able to book you a Theory Test anywhere in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) please ask when you are booking if you would a Theory Test elsewhere.
13/. My Motorcycle Test is being done somewhere other than Swindon, Reading or Oxford; is this bad?
Not at all, the examiner will expect no local knowledge whatsoever, a junction in Oxford will have the same rules as a junction in Banbury. Most years we go to about 16 different test centres - but a lot less now there are so few test centres.
14/. What happens if I don’t agree with the examiner’s decision?
You are not able to contest the examiner’s decision. You can, however, dispute if the test was conducted fairly – so for example if the radio was hard to hear. If this is upheld (and it will need to be done in writing) the best you can hope for is a free re-test. The DSA will not overturn a decision once it has been made. We will support any valid claim.
15/. What happens if the DSA cancel or move my Motorcycle Test?
If the DSA move your test with more than three working days notice then you have to take it on the chin. However, if they cancel inside this period (if the examiner is sick for example) it is possible to claim compensation. We will charge you for the training and motorcycle hire that you have for your rescheduled date, but you in turn will be able to claim this back along with loss of earnings, travel costs and child care. We will help you with all the paperwork. We will also be able to sort out a new test date for you (hopefully for as near to your original date as possible).
16/. What happens if I need to leave early?
Please let us know at the start of the day, and we will try our best to make suitable arrangements.
17/. What is the eye sight test?
In order to take part in any training or test you need to be able to read a standard UK car number plate at 20.5 metres or more. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses for this you will also have to wear them for the duration of the course.
18/. What should I wear?
We can provide you with a safety helmet, gloves and waterproof over trousers, we do have a limited number of motorcycle jackets. Please arrive with some stout footwear, i.e. walking boots, and a thick pair of jeans as a minimum. If you are able to purchase suitable motorcycle apparel we implore you do to so. In addition if the weather is cold please bring LOTS of warm clothes.
19/. When can I start riding a bigger motorcycle when I have passed my test?
You may start riding straight away; it is recommended that you carry your pass certificate with you until you receive your licence, as the DVLA computer will not have record of your entitlement for a few weeks.
20/. What do I need to tell you before I start my course?
You need to tell us of any medical conditions or religious needs that we should be aware of so we can make necessary arrangements. Please also tell us if you are on any kind of medication which may affect you when driving or riding.
We will need to have a contact telephone number and a postal address.
If you are taking a CBT that is all we need to know. However, if you are taking a full licence course we will also need to know your Driving Licence number and, when you have completed it, your Theory Test pass certificate number.
21/. What do I need to tell you to book a course?
Our helpful, knowledgeable staff are able to guide through every step of the way. However, it would be helpful if you could have your contact details and driving licence number to hand. We will also need to know the dates you like to book so having your diary or shift pattern handy is useful. If you intend to book a course then we will need to take a payment or deposit so debit or credit card details will be required.
22/. I want to do my training spread out over a series of weeks, will this be a problem?
This will be no problem at all. Our students are given a Student Record Card which are filled out at the end of each day of training. These are then looked through by the instructor at the begining of the next day of training. This way a course will have continuity no matter how spread out it becomes.
23/. Is the two part motorcycle test more difficult than the old one?
In a word, no. The dreaded U-Turn and emergency stop will be done in a flat, clear off road site, void of obstructions, carvers or poor surface conditions. The slow speed control manoeuvres are no more difficult than negotiating a junction or indeed carrying out the U-turn. Module 2 of the test will be similar to the current test, less the U-turn and emergency stop. 24/. Do I need to do module 1 and module 2 in any specific order?
The rule is that you must complete module 1 before you can take module 2. If you decide to take both tests within 3 working days of each other and fail module 1, you will lose the £70 test fee as we will not have time to cancel module 2. This means you can take a slight gamble and book them together, or err more to the side of the caution and have them 3 days apart. 25/. What training will I get for module 1 of the test?
We have our very own off road training area where you can practise module 1 of the test to your hearts content, we will set up the cones to emulate the actual test, and use our very own speed measuring equipment to make sure you are getting up to speed. When it comes to the test you will know exactly what to expect, and how to do it. 26/. How is Module 2 different to the old test?
The old test was mainly the same as it is now, except you do not have to do a U-turn or emergency stop during this part of the test anymore. 27/. Does the new test cost anymore?
No, the DSA put the test fee up to £80 in September 2008, and this will remain the same for the time being. Furthermore our own price structure will remain the same, meaning the overall cost will remain the same. *Update* - the DSA have increased the cost of the Motorcycle Test fees from 5th October 2009, making Module 1 £15.50 and Module 2 £75.00. The overall cost of the Motorcycle Test fee will be £90.50 from the 5th October 2009. This will, unfortunately, have to be added to the overall course price. Did this answer all your questions? If not please email us at enquiries@lightningpass.com .