How to Pass an Advanced Bike Test - Signalling

Here's a video about signalling - what are the various signals we can use on the bike, when is it appropriate to use them & what are the examiners looking for if you're undertaking an advanced bike test?
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[@kramnam4716]

5.09 the ‘I want to go straight ahead signal” was very popular in Germany in the 1930s

[@sidwills]

Have I ever left a signal on, on the bike? Absolutely. Do I still do it sometimes? Yes. However, I rode bikes as a sole mode of transport for years before I passed my car test. I got used to cancelling the indicator and I find now that I often cancel the signal in the car before the auto-cancel kicks in. For me, its another part of thinking about the signal. When it's not needed any more, I'll cancel it straight away so that there's no potential for any confusion. Because the habit is there in the car as well as on the bike, I think I tend to forget less. One thing also about the timed auto-cancel on BMWs. If you signal nice and early to leave the motorway (I.e at the 300yd board) the indicator goes off before you reach the off-slip. It has the potential to make people think you've changed your mind, so I tend to keep nudging the switch every few seconds.

[@PovilasPanavas]

Same with Triumph. Automated ones are silly, and if you set to manual mode, they don't have that feedback if you actually clicked them or not. You can't know without looking at the dash. Makes signaling really difficult for no good reason.

[@mikeroberts]

An excellent upload Reg. 👍Probably 90/95% the same as what I say with my Associates, even including the bulb analogy. 😄 Where I differ, a little, is the use of headlight flashes and hooting the horn. I do use my horn, as you described, for 'incoming' but I'd not use a headlight flash or horn as an 'I am here' signal when following a vehicle. Sadly, these days it is seen as aggression and you are likely to be rewarded by being brake checked. My arm signals are also done from the elbow and not push bike style, to avoid becoming a windmill at speed. Finally, regarding over use of indicators: the key thing is to avoid confusion and if you get to the end of a test and the examiner can only say "I thought you needn't have indicated in a couple of instances" then you've had an excellent test ride.

[@cliveadams7629]

I have had exactly the same thoughts as you express here. So many times I've approached an apparently deserted mini roundabout only to find someone appears at a point where indicating interferes with steering or gear change. Better to get it done at the appropriate time even if there's no one there at that precise moment. I guess commentary would dispel any doubt about whether you're just doing it automatically or have thought it through as part of your plan. My 2008 GS has stupid indicator buttons, one on each handlebar and a separate cancellation button on the throttle side! Hate them.

[@darrenmilo9565]

What the heck was going on at the mini roundabout at about 13:55? Some very strange driving from the small black car.

[@mikenash4216]

I have always believed that the lack of flashing indicators (that other road users, pedestrians etc. may understandably take as your intentions with regard to turning left or right or leaving a roundabout) is in itself a form of indication...that you intend to go straight ahead. For example, at one roundabout during this video, you entered a roundabout that did not have a left turn (straight ahead and right only). I watched carefully for the left indicator repeater on the dash. You didn't operate the left indicator when leaving the roundabout straight ahead, which I believe to be safe and correct. Do you have any thoughts on my views here please?

[@PovilasPanavas]

11:33 why wouldn't you use left signal to exit runabout? I understand message about it not being a "real" left turn, so one doesn't signal before entering runabout. But why not signal before exiting? There are other cars waiting to enter the runabout and looking at you riding. 12:27 the same situation, no signal on existing runabout.

[@colindarnton5377]

Hi Reg, First off I've only just come across your site, and I must say I'm loving it mate. Second I've been mulling it over for some time, I would like to pass an advance riding course, as I've been watching yourself for some time now I believe it has made me a better rider + HGV and car driver, I was just wondering if you could direct me in the right direction, doing one with you or another organisation, hope you can help with this. Ps keep up the videos pal I look forward to seeing them 👍🏻

[@RegLocal]

Drop me an email to [e-mail] Colin & we’ll discuss.

[@greghumphries4196]

Hi Reg what is the difference between a single broken white give way sign and a double one . Thanks

[@RegLocal]

Double broken lines at “normal” junctions, single broken lines at more tapered junctions, such as slip roads & roundabouts.

[@jodkel]

Great videos. Can I ask your view on Signalling on a motorway? As part as my Advanced rider training, I have been told to indicate overtake but never to indicate on returning to the original lane. I have struggled with this concept based on the principle of me informing another road user of my intention.

[@RegLocal]

If you think someone seen or unseen will benefit, ghen put on a signal. If not, you may choose not to. It’s really up to you.

[@mikenash4216]

​@@RegLocal"Seen or unseen" is in my opinion an excellent phrase to help motorists understand the need for the use of flashers (indicators).

[@darshdhonsi1984]

How did you get your camera footage to be so stable? What equipment/software did you use?

[@RegLocal]

Just GoPros.

[@spency787]

Don’t tell BMW that using the indicator is free, they’ll be making it a subscription service in no time.

[@PovilasPanavas]

There should be no place or situation where one doesn't put the signal on. UK is full of idiots not showing signals, because they don't see other cars around. That rule is rubbish. Signals should be shown always, because you don't know what you don't see. I had multiple times to try and cross junction/road as pedestrian or cyclists, and the only car on the road turns where I'm going. Also, the opposite situation where I'm not crossing a road, because car is coming only for the car to turn before reaching me. That rule needs to go out of books immediately. I would even say that whoever is responsible for keeping it there should do some jail time and think about their stupidity. P.S. I do not say one needs to depend on other people using signals correctly. But there's a difference when no one is using them in UK, and how people use them in other countries. In UK, everyone thinks they are BWM driver thus no need to show turn signals. In other countries, mostly only BWM drivers don't show turn signals.

[@MrWhothefoxthat]

its a very contradictory organisation, i never found a set pattern from one tutor to the next, and i dare say that goes for examiners, what i mean by that remark is, they all take it outside the book.