What has changed in 2021
In addition to the coronavirus and other game, another event occurred in 2021 that affected all students learning to drive a motorcycle and a car - the approval of a new regulation “for conducting examinations for the right to drive vehicles and issuing driver’s licenses.” The law came into force on April 1, 2021. We will skip the pros and cons of changes to obtain category B. We are interested in motorcycles.
In a nutshell, this is what happened:
- They brought back the “old” eight
- The “Boarding and disembarking of passengers” exercise has been removed.
- The exercise “Overall corridor” was done without narrowing in the middle part
When in 2021 the figure eight was ordered to be performed in a rectangular space limited by lines measuring 6 * 12, it seemed that for some time they had passed a law based on common sense, and not on the desire to profit from people who wanted to open the driver’s category. But, as they say, “the music didn’t play for long.” Having analyzed the statistics of successful “free” exams and compared the profitability of exams with the period until 2021 (the author’s opinion, which does not claim to be true), apparently, officials “came to their senses” and returned the “round” eight with a picket fence of cones to the regulations. It is difficult to imagine the real life situation that this exercise simulates. But in “their universe”, apparently, everything is different.
I would really like to see how this exercise will be performed by one of those who signed this bill and those who voted for these changes.
No, it is quite possible to ride this exercise, although it is more difficult than the one from 2021 to 2021, but this exercise will not teach you how to confidently turn on a motorcycle. It's a pity.
As for the cancellation of boarding and disembarking, I think it was in vain. Of course, according to the law, it is prohibited to carry a passenger on a motorcycle for the first two years, and it is not logical to test the skill of boarding a passenger (even virtually). But in fact, it’s just a matter of the name. If you rename the task, for example, “parallel parking,” then the contradiction disappears. The ability to stop accurately after a maneuver can be very useful in life. However, I don’t think that any of the motorcycle school students were upset about the cancellation of this element, and they can be understood!
As for the Dimensional Corridor, it has become easier to perform and now it imitates a row aisle, although the distance between the posts could be smaller.
Exam in the traffic police for category A - descriptions of exercises with comments
The exam will be supplemented with new exercises, and several tasks will be changed.
“Thus, the exam for the right to drive a vehicle of subcategory “B1” (quad bikes and tricycles) is supplemented by testing the candidate driver’s skills in braking the vehicle and stopping when moving at various speeds, including emergency braking, as well as straight-line reversing,” says in the explanatory note.
The system for assessing a candidate driver's skills in traffic conditions and errors, taking into account the degree of their impact on safety, will also undergo changes.
“For example, the errors of “not wearing a seat belt” and “using a phone while driving” will be grounds for termination of the practical exam,” the document says.
The new document reduces the total number of violations that lead to automatic failure in the exam. Now there are 17 of them, and in the document this number is supposed to be reduced to 15. In the current regulations there is a summary table of candidates’ errors, which are divided into “gross” (5 penalty points), “medium” (3 points) and “minor” (1 point) . To pass successfully, you must score less than 5 points.
When a new application is submitted by a category “B” driver candidate who has previously submitted an application to another examination unit, the service for the previous application will be terminated. Administrative procedures are also being introduced to cancel test results and revoke a driver's license.
“Such cancellation can be carried out only on the grounds provided for in the Rules for Conducting Exams, and the cancellation itself will be carried out by entering information about the cancellation of a driver’s license into the information systems of the State Traffic Inspectorate, including in automated mode,” the document notes.
Earlier it was reported that the State Traffic Inspectorate plans to increase the number of questions in the theoretical part of the exam for obtaining a driver's license, as well as change the procedure for taking the test, that is, it was planned to assign a certain number of points to each question, but, according to the draft regulations, this will not happen yet. “All exam questions are combined into four groups consisting of thematic blocks. Each thematic block contains five questions. The ticket is formed from four thematic blocks, each of which is selected randomly from the corresponding group. Rearranging questions between thematic blocks is not allowed. The exam paper contains 20 questions. For each question, there are from two to five possible answers, one of which is correct,” the document says.
Category A Exam Regulations 2021
To pass the practical motorcycle driving test, you must complete 5 exercises, avoiding mistakes as much as possible. Most errors are considered gross and each of them results in a FAIL grade. There are also minor mistakes that can be made twice (in total). The third minor mistake is also a FAIL grade.
What exactly is considered an error and how are they classified:
- Stall while performing the exercise - no more than once;
- Touch the ground with your foot while moving while performing the exercise, with the exception of mandatory stopping places - no more than 2 times;
- Knock down a cone (marking equipment) during an exercise - no more than once. This does not apply to cones and posts placed on solid lines - you cannot even touch them!;
- Reverse the vehicle except in cases prescribed by the task - “failed”;
- Dropping a motorcycle means “failed”;
- Drive over or drive beyond the solid marking line or drive, according to the projection of the motorcycle’s dimensions, beyond the boundaries of the testing exercise areas—“failed”;
- Failure to meet the time limit allotted for the “high-speed maneuvering” exercise or the total time allotted for completing all exercises means “failed”;
- Failure to comply with the task (trajectory, sequence or mandatory inclusion of neutral gear) - “failed”;
- Stopping at the stop line at a distance greater than that prescribed in the task or crossing the “stop” line along the projection of the front dimensions of the motorcycle in cases where stopping in front of the “stop” line is provided for by the conditions of the test exercise - “fail”;
- Failure to begin the exercise within 30 seconds after the inspector’s command means “failed”;
- Refusal to complete exam exercises - “failed”;
In addition, the use of telephones or other technical devices that allow negotiations is prohibited. The total time for performing all exercises is calculated using a special formula. It will be different for each site, but if you sum up the time for performing exercises without taking into account moving around the site, then the value should not exceed 3.5 minutes. The time for performing the “Speed maneuvering” exercise is no more than 35 seconds. (measured separately).
The order of performing exercises is not regulated by law. Each exam site has its own, and is announced during the mandatory briefing before taking the exam.
When performing the exercises, I do not advise you to count the number of mistakes you have made, much less decide that you have failed the exam and voluntarily “go off the route.” There can only be two reasons for completing the task: either you have completed all the exercises, or the inspector has given command to stop doing the exercises. In other cases, continue to perform the program as if nothing had happened. After all, the inspector might not have noticed your mistake unless you ran over his foot.
Penalty points are awarded only during exercises. Errors made when moving from one exercise to another are not taken into account.
Exercise “Overall corridor”
Description of the exercise
• carry out linear movement (Figure 1); • stop at a distance not exceeding 50 cm from the “STOP” line (according to the projection of the front dimensions of the motorcycle); • engage neutral gear by touching one foot(s) to the surface of the court; • continue driving, crossing the “STOP” line.
Dimensional corridor 2021
Recommendations
Despite the desire to make sure that the steering wheel does not catch on the racks, this is not necessary. Look forward to the end of the exercise or a little further. Don't strain your arms. Maintain balance by shifting your body. Avoid steering. The exercise will be easier to complete if you do a little acceleration at the beginning of the exercise, and coast the second half with the clutch depressed. It's not exactly “canonical” or “cool,” but it works. Brake smoothly using both brakes. When training, move the struts as narrowly as possible and try to drive as slowly as possible in the “grey zone” of the clutch. The standard width of the exercise is 1.2 meters, and such a distance between rows is not always the case.
Exercise “Parking a vehicle and leaving a parking space”
Description of the exercise
After the motorcycle crosses the start line for the exercise, stop so that the projection of the rear marker of the motorcycle crosses the start line for the exercise, turn off the engine and dismount (Figure 2).
Figure 2 Stop for safe boarding and disembarking of passengers
Next, keeping the motorcycle in balance, on foot, located on the convenient side of the motorcycle, roll it in reverse and place it on the step within the designated parking space so that it crosses the end line of the exercise along the projection of the front clearance. Then get on the motorcycle, start the engine and drive out of the parking space. The exercise must be performed using reverse movement only once.
Recommendations
Drive further ahead through the control line - it’s better to drive an extra meter than to miss 1 centimeter. Don't forget to turn off the engine. Try to keep the motorcycle perpendicular to the ground, keeping it balanced. The more you lean the motorcycle towards you, the harder it is to roll it while maintaining the intended trajectory. Hold on to the steering wheel with one hand and the trunk with the other. Keep your gaze on the point you are moving towards. When you are to the left of the motorcycle, do not forget to remove the kickstand. Otherwise, you may injure your leg while moving. When stopping, make sure to fold the running board all the way down.
Exercise “Dimensional Eight”
Description of the exercise
- move along a given trajectory;
- stop at a distance not exceeding 50 centimeters from the “STOP” line (according to the projection of the front clearance);
- turn on neutral gear and raise your left hand up, touching the surface of the court with your foot(s) (Figure 3);
- finish the execution by moving forward outside the exercise;
Figure 3 Dimensional Eight
Recommendations
When performing this exercise, avoid excessively tilting the motorcycle. Move not too fast, adjusting the speed with the rear brake, and if necessary, release the clutch. Keep the engine speed slightly above idle. When driving in a circle, point the front wheel as close to the outside line as possible. Do not look at the limit cones - your gaze should be directed towards the opposite part of the circle.
Exercise “Snake”
Description of the exercise
Carry out movement along a given trajectory, sequentially driving around the marking cones on the left and right sides (Figure 4).
Figure 4 Snake
Recommendations
Avoid driving at idle. Keep the throttle slightly open while adjusting the speed with the rear brake. It will be great if this results in slightly “poisoning” the clutch. When changing direction, load the footpegs by tilting the motorcycle underneath you using a counter-tilt. Steer with your feet, not the steering wheel. Make sure that when passing the next cone, the motorcycle is already pointed towards the inside of the turning path, and not towards the marker line. This will happen if you repeat the trajectory shown in the figure.
Exercise “Speed maneuvering”
Description of the exercise
• drive around sequentially from the left and right sides of 5 marking cones (Figure 6); • make a U-turn in the space limited by marking cones; • drive through the clearance gates sequentially; • stop at a distance not exceeding 50 cm from the “STOP” line (according to the projection of the front dimensions of the motorcycle); • engage neutral gear by touching the surface of the court with your foot(s); • leave the exercise area, crossing the “STOP” line. The time required to complete an exercise element should not exceed 35 seconds .
Figure 5 High-speed maneuvering
Recommendations
While performing the snake, keep your gaze on the far line of the exercise (turning zone). Steer with your feet, not the steering wheel. As you begin the turn, turn your head to the left, keeping your gaze on the exit point of the turn. When passing through the gate, keep your gaze not on the current element, but on the next one. The gaze slides ahead “one step forward.” Before you start braking, put the gear in neutral - this will significantly reduce the time it takes to complete the exercise. Do not forget that the exercise is considered completed when the motorcycle leaves the “STOP” line. Don’t hesitate after stopping - engage first gear and drive beyond the stop line. Don't drive too fast. Practice completing the exercise in 27-30 seconds. This is an excellent result. You will not be given bonuses for speed, but the risk of making a mistake increases.
If you found these tips useful, but want more practice, welcome to the Category A driving course. We will be happy to help you prepare for the exams and improve your motorcycle driving skills.
Well, the main thing: as practice shows, most often those who fail are those who cannot cope with anxiety. I previously published some tips on how not to worry during the exam.
The traffic police told how the driving test will be held in 2021
A full course of training in a driving school takes from 3 to 5 months. It follows from this that if you start classes after June 1, 2021, you will have to take your license according to the new rules, that is, after October 1.
Formally, the training program remains the same: initial skills are practiced on the training ground and passed in an internal exam at the driving school. But we must understand that no one will allow students unprepared for the new requirements of the traffic police exam. Therefore, practicing skills according to the new rules will begin in advance.
Yes, but it is important to catch up before the massive influx of people wanting to take the traffic police exam under the “easy” rules. The last months of taking the exam in the previous format are July, August and September, for which there will simply be no exam places.
In order not to create unnecessary problems for yourself and to be guaranteed to obtain a license under the “old” rules, start studying as early as possible - in January or February 2021.
The updated traffic police regulations provide for a number of changes in the general examination procedure for obtaining a driver’s license:
- A traffic police officer will be responsible for filling out and printing the application for taking the exam . The applicant will only be required to provide a package of documents, and then check and sign the application.
- Possibility of taking driving tests from the age of 16 . The new rules, which are introduced from April 1, 2021, require written consent to the procedure from the legal representatives of the driver candidate.
- Clarification of retake deadlines . For example, if the theory fails, a second attempt is possible within 7-30 days. After the third unsuccessful attempt, a retake is possible no earlier than after a month, but no later than after 3 months. For retaking the internship, the deadlines are 7-60 days and 1-3 months, respectively.
- Cancellation of exam results . The results can be canceled if the candidate appeals them, the fact of falsification of documents or violations of the rules for conducting them is revealed. In the latter case, cancellation is possible only before the driver’s license is issued, in all other situations - at any time. The decision will be made by a commission of three people. In this case, the driver candidate will be assigned a new time and place for the test.
- Revocation of a driver's license . Among the reasons: expiration of validity, wear or damage of the document, issuance of a new copy, change in personal data or health status of the driver.
There will be no changes in the theoretical part from April 1, 2021. Tickets still consist of 20 questions, combined into 4 thematic blocks. You have 20 minutes to solve them. But passing the practical part of the driver's license exams will take place according to the new rules:
- Driving can begin immediately in urban environments . Here you will also need to demonstrate those elements that were previously tested on the site: starting, stopping, parallel parking, turning in a confined space.
- The traffic police inspector will choose a route on the move (within the streets and avenues on which the examination is allowed). Previously, each traffic police department had its own approved routes, so during training, driving schools trained future drivers to drive along them almost with their eyes closed.
- Other driver candidates , representatives of the driving school and public organizations will be allowed to be in the car.
- The driving time for most will be 30 minutes , for some categories it will increase to 40 minutes due to additional exercises (for example, for those who plan to drive with a trailer).
- Drivers will be tested for their ability to drive at the maximum speed limit , overtake and outrun.
- Possible errors and violations of future drivers will be grouped into groups for which 1, 2 or 3 penalty points are provided. If their total number reaches 5, driving is still considered failed. But new violations will appear, for which the examinee will receive penalty points. So, if you drive too slowly, you can earn 1 point, and if it interferes with other road users, you can earn 2 points.
- The number of errors that will end the exam immediately will be reduced from 17 to 15 . These include not wearing a seat belt and using a phone while driving.
Examination exercises canceled on 1 April 2021
Stop for safe boarding and disembarking of passengers
CANCELED FROM APRIL 1, 2021
Description of the exercise
• drive along the designated lane (Figure 6); • give a turn signal with your left hand and perform a lane change maneuver to the stopping place so that the projection of the left side of the motorcycle crosses the control line; • stop at a distance not exceeding 30 centimeters from the “STOP” line and not exceeding 30 centimeters from the marking line along the projection of the right side of the motorcycle, leaning on the ground with your right foot; • engage neutral gear and, holding the motorcycle motionless, lower your left foot to the ground; • continue driving, crossing the “STOP” line. The time it takes to complete an exercise element should not exceed 15 seconds.
Figure 6 Stop for safe boarding and disembarking of passengers
Recommendations
Reach a comfortable speed. Try to signal with your left hand in advance, so that by the time the maneuver begins, both hands are already on the steering wheel. Before maneuvering, disengage the clutch. When entering a parking space, steer with your feet, not the steering wheel. Just like on a snake. Before braking, move your body slightly to the right. This will allow you to stop using your right leg. Don't apply the front brake too hard.
Exercise “Dimensional Eight”
according to the regulations in the period from 2017 to 2021. Canceled April 1, 2021
Description of the exercise
Move along a given trajectory (Figure 7). The execution time should not exceed 35 seconds.
Figure 7 Dimensional eight