First things first, you will need to understand what comprises being one of the thousands of Irish Motorcycle learners. So, without a learner’s permit, you cannot start your Initial Basic Training (IBT). A Learner’s Permit is not your receipt. It is a PERMIT. For this post, I will assume you already have a Learner’s Permit2. If there is sufficient interest, I will make a post on how to go about getting one.
- IBT Duration: 16 to 18 hours
- Why? You must pass this before being allowed on the road without an instructor.
- IBT instructors, before signing off on your training, look to see that you are:
- not a danger to yourself or other road users
- in control your motorcycle correctly
So, what should you not do when in your IBT phase?
1. Practising unaccompanied before being signed off.
Some of the reasons to drive this kind of thinking are:
- I ride my bicycle in Dublin. If I survived that, I would survive this. Wait, what?!
- Practice: I would like to refresh what I’ve learnt from my instructor between my IBT classes
- Keeping in Touch: My IBT days are far apart
- Unhappy with the instructor’s schedule: Does not have an intense schedule with IBT training days back to back.
It does not matter how far apart your classes are. Speak to your instructor and see if you can optimise that rather than being alone on public roads in the name of the practice and putting yourself and others in harm’s way.
2. Insurance for Irish motorcycle learners
Having arrived here, I can see that Ireland has a high insurance rate. If you have a crash while being uninsured, it adds to the statistics, which makes legal riders pay more.
This is because Ireland, in general, is deemed a high-risk country from an insurance point of view due to the:
- Uninsured people driving and riding
- Thefts of motorcycles by societal scum
Do not be a reason for the trickle-down effect leading to an increase in the cost of insurance.
3. Buying a motorcycle before finishing IBT.
This is something that is a bit of a challenge for me too. I know what my heart wants. I know what I can afford. But I do not know if insurance will cover me or what that will cost. It is better to wait up till you are further along in your learning.
- Do you know your license levels?
- Do you know your IBT for different bikes is different?
- The bike you buy may not be suitable for the post-IBT exam by the RSA before you get your license.
Your instructor can recommend if you do not want to go onto the RSA and figure out which motorcycles you are eligible for. Or, speak to someone with more experience. So many people want the latest and greatest version, like this Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid.
4. Car Insurance will take a hit too!
No motorcycle IBT automatically means no insurance. Disqualification due to this screws up your motorcycling future, car-related costs and licensing. If you’ve done a few classroom lessons and spent some time in a closed training area like a yard, it does not mean you are ready to be on the road alone.
Don’t be an ass, don’t do it and screw yourself. Just wait for a few weeks, and you will be in better shape.
5. Everyone does it. Noob alert!
That does not mean it’s legal. You may have met 20 people who got away and never the one person who got screwed by not waiting for a few weeks. You get a certificate when you finish your IBT which says so and gives you the right to be on the road unsupervised, legally. If the Garda stop you, that is your license equivalent.
Learner’s Permit Vest
Irrespective of what license you plan on getting, be prepared to wear one of these L vests. This is the same one that I use, and I have been riding with it for about eight months now. I can vouch for its quality and you can buy it from your local dealer or the following Amazon affiliate link.
Why is this list about Irish motorcycle learners?
I wrote this mainly for myself.
I have ridden 2-wheelers for over 20 years and find it hard to wait to get back on a motorcycle, even more so being downgraded to an Irish motorcycle learner’s level. We never had this level of coaching back in the day, and once I got my learner’s license, I was good to go. I hit the road multiple times and have enough scars, and I do not want to add to the existing injuries now that I am returning. Also, I like learning from people who are better than me and think finishing some training with a strict instructor is good.
Remember to say this to yourself:
I will bring along some humility and shut up and learn from instructors, having put my ego in check.
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