EPTI am currently attempting to get my motorcycle license, which is called License A (car is B, truck is C etc.). I've got my car license for around 2 years and drive occasionally medium distances up to 1 hour.
Anyway here is the deal in the Netherlands, getting the A license exists out of three parts:
1. Vehicle control - Twelve little exercises divided into four clusters, four (one from each cluster) are always mandatory during the exam, then three more will be randomly selected by the guy who takes the exam (one from clusters 2,3 and 4, cluster 1 only has one exercise in it).
Here is an example of such an exercise:
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![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/4cCzZ.png)
Basically first gear throttle + foot brake to control speed to make a smooth half turn either left or right.
Although I had an horrible start by messing up the first one (maybe not randomly think: 'hey you're in the exam now this better be good', in the middle of the track), you do get one retry for each individual exercise. I managed to pull myself together and complete the first and remaining tasks satisfactory so I already have this part completed. You are also allowed to fail 2 out of 7 as long as they're not in the same cluster (sounds pretty easy really).
2. Theory exam - 50 questions about whatever has to do with traffic ranging from 'what does this sign mean' and 'give the order of priority on this intersection' to 'how can you check your brake fluids'.
All the answers are either ABC, Yes/No or 0-9 (for example whats the max speed here, you enter 60, 120, whatever you think the answer is). You are allowed a maximum of 6 mistakes, so at least 44 answers have to be correct.
Example of a question and the input panel (on the right), although during the exam there are time limits and you can't select next (volgende), since you take it with 50 people at a time.
Which sign says that you have to give priority (right of way) to others?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/P5bJI.jpg)
Answer:
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A
Now I've already completed this for the car, 2 years ago, which does have a different setup. There is a separate one for motorcycles, since they are obviously different from cars, but many questions are the same.
Now here is my issue: I just had this, this morning and failed. I studied the day before, made 4 practice exams online (which actually cost 1,30 euro each, but are really good) and know the entire instruction book I got from my driving school from page 1 to 180. Combined with my previous knowledge and experience this should have been a piece of cake! Guess not..
These exams are known to be a bitch (safety is very important after all), girl next to me was there for her 4th time (she made it) and the girl on the right said it was at least 5+ (didn't wanna give the exact number, failed again). Yet they should be do-able if you study hard enough right?
Although I mainly blame myself for having 8 errors (6 was max) some things are irritating to say the least, I'll start with my own sillyness.
1. I totally derped with pedestrian questions, and there were a lot. Total mind fail during the exam
2. I messed up one question and was realizing it during answering, but I just didn't change it, too much doubt I suppose (sounds silly, like a mental block or something). Leads to instant regret and loss of focus right after the question.
3. And now what I shall name as not my own fault:
- So my theory book says literally: "When to check the oil levels depend on your motorcycle, for some it has to be cold (engine shut off for a while) before you start driving. For others it is best when it is warm, so after a not too short distance of driving. Always check the manual"
Possible answers to when to check your oil level: A. Before you start driving. B. When you are done driving. C. When you are at the gas station for fuel.
Great! My book says both A & B, but on the test it is obviously something else!
- Question: When driving 90km/h what is the distance you need to keep between you and the one in front of you? Possible answers: A: 50 meter, B. 75 meter and C. 100 meter. My book (what I learned): For deciding the minimum distance we apply the 2 second rule. Then there are some calculations about the space needed to stop etc, but it literally says: These are not required to know on the exam. Sounds reasonably when driving: "hmm let me calculate the distance required for me to stop at this very mome.. BAM"
Well I took a guess: B, which was actually right when I checked google, since for 100km/h it was 80 meter.
- So your passenger has fainted during the ride (after you stopped somewhere), but is still steadily breathing, what position do you lay him in? And then it shows 3 pictures. There is nothing about that on the book, only how you move someone injured to a safe location. Took the guess most likely, I think I got it wrong though..
- In the middle of the turn the pressure on the (enter word I forgot and can't find anywhere in the book) is: A. Going up, B. Going down and C. Staying equal. Logically I would say going up, but I can't be sure of that, sounds too much like a trick question.
So enough reasons I could or should have made it if I didn't go stupid mode, but feel a bit screwed nevertheless. It's vital to have everything completed before the end of this year since they are going to change the rules, which would mean I can only drive a Mid class motor (Age 21) in stead of a Heavy class (will be 23 next year, is 21 at the moment, I am 21). As for the last part, you can only start that when you have your theory finished.
3. Road participation - you go on the road and just drive, being followed by the employee of the exam station who also gives you directions where to go. Might be a lottery depending on how well you know the area or situations that might occur (failed this once with the car exam, because I went for the most left lane and after the traffic lights + corner it went from 3 to 2 lane, which meant it wasn't logically to go to the left lane. I didn't know that (no signs saying it beforehand)).
This should give you some insight on the Dutch system before you can go on the roads, it seems to be rather strict compared to other countries I think (only got two I know to compare with though), is that so? Anyway thanks for reading, much love. Hope I am going to make it next time in two weeks hihi.
