Booking R-class

[Spiff]

Hi folks,
I couldn't find the info I wanted in any other threads that I searched, so I'm asking here.

1. I tried to book a test date, but neither the centre or the phone service had any and couldn't give me an answer on when I should ring. One said "this evening", another said "in a few days". When's the best time to ring? Do the assessors release dates every day? Which days? What times (am/pm)? Or is it all random?

2. I'm planning to go with an instructor (probably the ones I used for my R-Es) for a couple of lessons and the test day booking. Do any schools/instructors offer booking of the test date as a service? Do they have better connections to get a date than ordinary plebs? Any recommendations for any schools/instructors which offer this service, if they do? Are they even allowed to book on our behalf?

3. They didn't issue any learners permit but said I may have to have one for the actual test and they could print it on the morning. I know (reading the threads) that I don't need one during the learning period since I've got my R-E licence, but do I still need one on test day?

cheers.

[Stoneville]

Yes you need a permit to book your test, so go in and pay for it, then start ringing every morning as soon as they open and then try again around 3pm. Some people will ring a couple of days before their test is booked and cancel or rebook.

Patience is what is needed

[Spiff]

Thanks Stoney. I didn't need an actual permit to book, just the acknowledgement (on their systems) that I'd already paid. What the person said was I may need an actual hardcopy when taking the test (they weren't sure), and if I needed to, they could print one out. Now that I think about it, I wonder why they didn't bother printing one out then and there.

Will be patient and ring through as suggested. Any idea if the instructors do that for you? Planning to go with an instructor for a few lessons on their bike since I'll need to hire it on the test day, and if they do, then maybe it can save me the time and I can utilise that service.

[Kaido]

Spiff,

they wouldn't let me book my test over the phone unless i pay the $70 or something for the test fee or permit (can't remember which one it was). they sent me a letter in the mail saying i pay the $70 and when my test was on and told me i must bring it but they never ask for it when i did the test

[Twinkles]

Not sure if it is the same for R's as it is for R-E, but yes my instructor booked my R-E test for me. Bascially after a few lessons and when he said i was ready to do my test, he just looked in his book for when a slot was available, then rang and made sure the same slot was available at the DPI, then booked it in, then called me to tell me when it was done. I assume doing your R test would be exactly the same.


The problem with booking it yourself is that the learners bike that you plan on using may already be booked to a lesson, atleast by going through the school you can be sure that the time will suit everyone.

[Spiff]

thanks kaido.
twinkles, exactly what i was afraid would happen. i think when i was doing my r-e's with the school, they were the ones who asked me to book the dates. anyway, i might give the school i went to a ring. which school did you use? how did you find them? feel free to pm me if you prefer.

[Stoneville]

Twinkles you talking Bunbury or Perth??

Pretty sure 'schools' don't actually have tests booked, they'd have to cancelling them left and right, might be more of a case of them shuffling their students placings around to suit.

Just ring the Instructor and talk to them, that will sort it quicker than anything else.

[SilentBob]

I booked my own... it wasn't hard. I just went to the City West centre and paid months in advance. Then about 6 weeks out I just called up at 8:30am and booked it in.
Then I called my instructor from my RE (Peter Morling from Complete Rider, great guy and teacher). Told him when my test was and booked in a couple refresher lessons.
Easy peasy.
Getting a bike is only an issue if you need it without giving any reasonable notice.

[Twinkles]

Twinkles you talking Bunbury or Perth??

Pretty sure 'schools' don't actually have tests booked, they'd have to cancelling them left and right, might be more of a case of them shuffling their students placings around to suit.

Just ring the Instructor and talk to them, that will sort it quicker than anything else.

Sorry i should have been clearer, i was talking about in Bunbury, where there are 3 (i think) schools and 3 examiners. As i said, once i had done a few lessons and the instructor said i was ready for the test, he booked it all in for me. He has noted down in his book when he has spots available for tests, then just rings and confirms that the same spot is available at the DPI. To be honest it is probably a bit different down here as just about everyone that i have spoken to that has done there test has used the instructors bike, and has booked it through the instructor.