In 2014, on a flight from Mexico City to San Antonio, the guy sitting next to me told me all about his son who was in prison. He then proceeded to ask me out to dinner. I smiled politely and opened my mouth to scream for help, but then he said those words I've longed to hear all my life “I'll pick you up on my motorbike". My intended scream for help turned into a giggle and a ‘what time will I expect you?'
You see, up until that point, I had never been on a motorcycle and ever since I fell in love with Johnny Depp in Cry Baby, I have been dying to get on the back of one. Even if it meant possible abduction and death by this Texan stranger.
The risk paid off; the guy was lovely and so was his Harley Davidson, which was a Road King, ex-police bike, no less. I was in my element. We went riding round the streets and highways of San Antonio and from the moment he revved that engine, I was hooked. I then thought, if I was having this much fun as a passenger, imagine how much fun I would have up front?
When I came back home I told everybody I was going to get my bike licence. Of course there were those that told me not to do it as it is so dangerous and then there were those who had their bike licences and they all told me to do it, because it is so much fun. Those bikers were so full of enthusiasm and encouragement that it got me excited about learning to ride. And then, every time I went to book my theory test, I would open the paper and read about an experienced biker who had been killed whist out riding. I was conflicted. I didn't know what to do. If these experienced bikers were losing their lives, what chance would I have as a learner, and an unconfident one at that?
Then I got the opportunity to go out on the back of a BMW R 1200 R and sure enough, when the ride was over, I had a massive grin on my face that lasted all day. I just loved the feeling of being on a bike. So, I decided to take it one step at a time. I can't go near a bike until I pass my theory test, so that is step one. Once I pass my theory test then I will make a decision as to whether or not I will actually do the training and get out on the road.
Therefore, this month's column is the start of a series I'll be doing related to getting my bike licence, but it won't just be about bikes; the steps I am doing and the things I will be learning can all be applied to cars, too. But enough with the self-indulgent story, let's get down to the business of getting a licence.
To get a driver's licence in Ireland you have to: Pass a theory test Pass an eye examination Pass a medical examination (if applicable) Apply for a learner's permit Pass an Essential Driver Training (EDT)/Initial Basic Training (IBT) course Pass a practical driving test
The theory test examines general road safety knowledge and motoring legislation. All this can be found in the Rules of the Road, but make sure you get the most up-to-date copy, which is currently the fifth revision, published in March 2015. The Rules of the Road can be read online at www.rulesoftheroad.ie, a PDF version can be downloaded from http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/pdf-downloads/english/rules-of-the-road-eng.pdf and an audio version can be downloaded from http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/audio.html. There are also videos on the Rules of the Road website, which support the material in the book. A hardcopy of the Rules of the Road can be bought in the shops and copies can be borrowed from all libraries. To help with studying and revision, there is a book and CD with theory test questions and answers. They can be purchased online (just click here) and in shops. However, as with the Rules of the Road book, libraries provide copies of both the revision book and the revision CD, so no need to spend a cent.
Of course, the theory test can be taken without revising the Rules of the Road. But as there is a fee to take the test, which is currently a whopping €45 for cars and motorcycles, it is probably a good idea to look over them. To resit the theory test it costs the full fee.
To schedule a theory test, an Irish postal address and PPS number are needed. The test can be booked over the phone by calling 1890 606 106 or by downloading and posting this form (these forms can also be picked up at any of the National Driver Licence Service offices). The theory test can also be booked online.
The website for booking online is very easy to use. First the correct category needs to be chosen - A for motorcycle/moped and B for car/tractor and work vehicles. Then a question about disability and wheelchair access needs to be answered, or not, and then a test centre location is selected. I typed Dublin in to the location box and a list of centres was presented, ordered by distance from me, very handy.
Beside each test centre name is a 'schedule appointment' option. This displays all availability for a three-month period in that centre. The test centres seem to be very busy. For example, the Mullingar test centre only had two dates available in March and none in February, while the Dublin centre only had two dates available in February. However, there are 36 test centres around the country (http://www.theorytest.ie/wp-content/uploads/DTT-Test-Centre-Location-Map.pdf), so you can just pick the one that is most convenient for you and look at the available days and times, but as I am more restricted with my days I have been looking at four different centres and will choose the one that has the most convenient times.
Once the centre, date and time have been chosen the next form to fill out is for personal details including PPS and address. The name used to schedule the appointment must exactly match the name on the identification shown at the test centre. The ID must be government issued, with name, signature and photograph clearly visible (e.g. a passport). A full list of ID requirements can be found here. As well as the requested ID two identical passport photos must also be brought along to the theory test centre.
The next page is the payment page and the fee can be paid using Visa, MasterCard or Payzone voucher.
And that's as far as I am on my quest to get my motorcycle licence. I have booked my theory test. Now I just have to study and pass it. Hopefully, I'll have my learner's permit by the next issue.