Now for the benefit of those who do not know the difference between a Class 2B, Class 2A, and Class 2 license:
- A Class 2B license allows one to ride a motorcycle of engine capacity not exceeding 200cc
- A Class 2A license allows one to ride a motorcycle of engine capacity between 201cc - 400cc
- A Class 2 license allows one to ride a motorcycle of engine capacity exceeding 400cc
Now I don't HAVE to take my Class 2 license, since riding on the traffic-congested roads of Singapore with a Class 2A motorcycle would simply suffice.
But with a Class 2 license, it opens up the opportunity for me to own a Class 2 motorcycle (with engine capacity above 400cc) one day. And personally, getting a Class 2 license is like an achievement; akin to a student getting his/her Doctorate degree.
If it's an personal achievement, then why the dread?
Taking my first Class 2 lesson. Photo taken by the BF.
Because in addition to the circuit courses, one has to flex those muscles and be tested for dropping the dummy bike and lifting the it up (with the correct technique), walking the bike in a figure of 8, and parking the bike back on its main stand.
Furthermore, the circuit courses require much more skill i.e. Clocking more time on the narrow plank (> 10 secs), clocking less time in the figure of 8 (< 11 secs) etc..
Having said the above, there are only three Class 2 lessons, of which the last lesson is an evaluation which allows you to book your TP (Traffic Police) test upon passing.
Fortunately, I managed to clear all my lessons and evaluation by end February, and book my TP test on 9th April 2012.
9th April came by sooner than expected. Waking up at 5:30am, I had some time to sip my morning cup of joe and enjoy my morning breakfast before leaving for my TP test at CDC (Comfort Driving Centre).
Arriving at the Motorcycling Training Reporting Counter at CDC, I was surprised that there was no one in sight. Glancing at the clock, it was 6:55am. Though I was 20 minutes early, I would have expected other testees to come early and psyche themselves up.
"Maybe they are confident", I thought to myself.
At about 7:05am - 7:10am, more testees arrived and taking a quick glance around, I realized that I'M THE ONLY CLASS 2 FEMALE TESTEE! *panics*
Before our TP test commences at 09:30am, we were allowed to practice for one round. But being the cheeky me, I managed to go for an extra practice round before the instructor asked me to return my motorcycle.
Below is the timeline of events leading up to receiving my TP results:
08:00am - Instructor dismissed us for a 35min break. During our break, I managed to talk to a Class 2A testee about motorcycles, riding, and other jibber jabber.
08:35am - Gathering back at the Motorcycle Shed, another instructor gave a final briefing on the circuit route, reminding us to check our blindspots, how we should form up correctly, the timings that we need to clock for each course etc..
09:10am - We were dismissed for another 20min break. Seriously, all these waiting time is a waste of time!
09:30am - Arriving back at the Motorcycle Shed, the TP testers came and called up our number tags in ascending order, as they needed to verify our identities against the documents that we submitted earlier.
09:40am - The Class 2 testees were then told to gather beneath a tree just outside of the motorcycle shed (where the class 2A testees could see).
The TP tester would then call up the first Class 2 tag number - Number 1, and he would be tested for the following - dismount the dummy bike from main stand, drop the bike (with the correct technique), lift it up (with the correct technique), walk it in a figure of 8, and mount it back on its mainstand.
Soon, my number tag - Number 6 - was called up. At this point, I could really feel my heart jumping out of my mouth.
"What if I can't lift the bike?! What if I can't mount the bike on its mainstand?!" These thoughts started racing through my mind.
Approaching the dummy bike with much trepidation and fear, I just mustered all courage, shook off those negative worries and .. phew! Managed to do it without any hiccups!
After which, we all gathered back in the shed and the circuit test commenced.
10:10am - Because of the earlier "workout" from lifting the bike, I was already all pumped up when it was turn to go for my circuit test.
In less than 10 minutes or so, I finished my test and arrived back at the shed.
11:15am - All of us proceeded to the 3rd floor where our results would be announced. As we waited, the atmosphere in the room got tenser, and finally one TP tester came into the room and shouted "Number 1.. Number 3"..
Those who had taken their TP tests before would know what it means when the tester shouts your number tag. For the benefit of those who doesn't know, having your number tag shouted out by the tester means that you have failed your test.
11:30am - Another tester came in and shouted more tag numbers. I continued to bite my nails and drum my fingers.
Finally, the last tester came in and shouted 1 or 2 more numbers, followed by "the rest of you all passed", before closing the door.
Immediately, audible sighs of reliefs mixed with exclamations of joy filled the room, and I did what all social butterflies do - update my Twitter & Facebook status!
After which, we collected our results and headed down to level 2 to update our drivers license.
..
Looking back at my Class 2 learning journey, I realized that it wasn't as daunting and nerve-wrecking as I thought it would be. On the contrary, it was a fun experience, albeit filled with lots of perspiration, muscles, and anxiety.
And although some would say that a Class 2 license is just a license, it is more than that to me. It is my achievement, satisfaction, relief, and hope.
Achievement - because I have overcome my dread (since Class 2B).
Satisfaction - because I, a petite skinny asian girl can lift up a Class 2 bike (hehe!).
Relief - because no longer do I need to go back to CDC for lessons, evaluations, and tests.
And lastly, Hope - because I know that I am able to ride my own Class 2 motorcycle one day.
Possibly Related Posts:
Lessons From My Sena
Push. Don't Paddle
Stevie's First Servicing
A Turn of the Screw
Meet Stevie, The Steed
Share This On:
Drop Me An Email
0 comments:
Post a Comment