I woke up at around 530am after experiencing the usual nightmare of being late for the TP Test... it was raining the whole night so I felt relieved that it stopped by then.
I had a quick breakfast before heading out to CDC as I heard it'll be a long morning. There was a large group already assembled at the registration counter when I arrived at 7am.
A short while later, our instructors came along and requested for our NRIC and PDL for checking. I was given the number 13 (lol... lucky I'm not superstitious). There were a total of 51 testees (1st few first being foreigners, followed by Singaporeans, in order of seniority). Here was how the session went:
7.30am: We were given only one complete warm up around the circuit...
7.55am: We gathered at the training shed and were told to wait as our details were submitted to TP.
8.30am: We were given a full briefing by one of the instructors
9.00am: Wait for the TP Testers to come down
9.30am: TP Testers arrived... we gathered in the open, lining in rows of 5 (1-5; 6-10, 11-15, etc)
9.45am: The first 10 riders got to their bikes to begin the test
10.00am: I managed to get one of the best bikes in CDC (from what I heard)... i.e. Bike No. 72... and true enough, it was a good bike... smooth throttle... good braking... just have to be careful with bike going into neutral gear... happened to me twice...
a) Starting Point (wait for 1st Tester to wave at you to move off)...
b) Slope (no problem)
c) Figure 8 (gear stucked in neutral when going to 2nd gear but managed to recover and complete in time)
d) Crank Course (don't just exit as there will be bikes on both sides of the yellow box... practise safety first!
e) Plank (a bit shaky but survived! phew!)
f) Slalom (gear stucked in neutral again but managed to recover and completed safely)
g) E-Brake (no problem but exiting was a bit precarious as there were cars leaving CDC and blocking the exit lane... I'm thankful that one incoming car waved at me to go out first!)
h) Right Turn at Exit of CDC (lots of traffic. I was a bit too cautious... minus 2 points here for delay in moving off... better 2 points then immediate failure... Testee No. 14 overtook me at the stop line... (he failed though I'm not sure the turn he made was the cause of his failure...)
i) First Traffic Light Right Turn. I did ok here. I think I got minus 4 points for not checking blind spot before moving
j) Filter lane into Airport Road... timing was prefect as I had to stop first, blindspots check and move off. No problem.
k) U-turning... no problem too. Decided to let the big truck in the outer lane make the the right turn completely as I couldn't see incoming vehicle...
l) Right turn at Traffic Light to CDC... prefect timing again as traffic lights required us to stop first. Turned when green arrow lighted up
m) Left turn at Traffic Light to CDC... no problem
n) Left turn into CDC... no problem.. went slow here as there were many silly pedestrians crossing without due care
o) Returning back to the bike nursery... no problem... Again, don't rush in making the turn even if oncoming car is signalling to turn.
Passed my bike to the next rider. Told him it's a good bike (he passed). I then walked back to the registration counter feeling that I've given my best and the rest was up to God... by then, it's already 1030am.
A few of us waited downstairs chit chatting, waiting for the last rider to return before we go up to the 3rd floor for the debriefing and results... if your numbers are called by the instructors, it simply means that you've failed :(
11.15am... the first 3 numbers were called...16, 17, 18... then 48... then a few big numbers... then 14, 15... I started to feel good already as my group was 11 to 15... can't celebrate yet...
I can tell you the feeling was more nerve wrecking than doing your PSLE, GCE O/N/A examinations!!!
11.30am... by this time, about 20 of the 51 had left the room... after the last 2-3 numbers were called, instructors announced that we all passed! Yahoo!!! Cheers and claps all around!!! LoL!!!
Instructors then immediately made us watch a 10-minutes video of not taking our pass for granted... considering that accidents for bikers can be serious if not fatal...
After the video, we all stood up, raise our right hand and took the biker's pledge. Sounds lame but I'll do anything after passing...
We then received our official results (I got 14 demerit points) and handed over our booklet so that the instructor can scan and activate the booking for the Expressway Familiarisation Course.
You gotta wait for a short while to see all the slots being opened up. I almost logged off when I saw there wasn't a session in the afternoon. Glad that I managed to book on the same day so I need not take leave from work.
I came back later at 230pm to do the session. I will not spoil your experience by sharing with you the joy of riding on the expressway... but yeah... it was really fun :D
Don't forget to bring your Nets card + results + a passport photo + NRIC when applying for your licence at the Level 2 TP counter. I had to make a new one as my photo on my licence has faded. I'm more than happy to get a new one as it meant the SG50 logo will be on it!
So there you go folks!!! My 6 month journey of getting Class 2B Licence has officially ended!!! For a family and working guy like myself, it has been really exhausting and I thanked my wife for her support and taking care of the kids while I'm out having fun... errr... learning... hehehe... have arranged a special 5th wedding anniversary celebration for my wife and kids this weekend! Looking forward to a good rest!
Will share more about my experience of finding a Class 2B bike within the next few weeks!
Till then, safe riding and stay alive!