Although more than 500 articles have been written on various topics thus far, very few articles on the subject of “motorcycles” have yet been written. Therefore, I feel it’s only right that more emphasis should be given to the topic rightfully.

In the 1970’s, Ibecome a part time instructor, attached to the Mat Saat Driving School, located at Riverside Road, Klang, Selangor. Amongst some of the earliest things, I remember doing, was to secure a B2 motorcycle license for my younger brother, “Keong”.

For several years, my younger brother worked with Messrs Maruichi Steel Pipes Industries in Shah Alam, a town approximately 10-15 km from Klang. As a general worker in the above company, my brother, went to work daily using his Suzuki motorbike. It should be reiterated here, that riding a motorcycle is very dangerous as compared to driving a car. Like thousands of workers in this country, using a motorcycle as a means of transport, is not only cheaper, it eliminates also the problem of traffic jams as well.

One morning very early, at approximately 6.30 am, my younger brother unfortunately met with a rather nasty accident at Jalan Haji Sirat near Klang Utama Housing Estate. It was a dark and cold morning. While attempting to negotiate a junction, a driver, who was speeding away that morning, crashed into the back of my brother’s motorcycle. My brother, had in reality, stopped in the center of the road and was attempting to turn into a junction.

The violent impact of the crash, sprawled my brother onto the middle of the road. Trapped and injured by the incident, my younger brother lay helplessly underneath the wrecked motorbike. As he lay injured in the center of the road, a speeding car approached him. The speeding driver was oblivious to the impending danger which was ahead of him. Another hit by the speeding vehicle would be indeed disastrous.

Although injured badly, with his right ankle broken, my brother finally succeeded in crawling away from underneath his wrecked motorcycle, just in time to save himself.

My brother was hospitalized for more than a year as a result of the incident. Months later, Social Security Organization for Workers (SOCSO) eventually paid my sibling some RM50,000 compensation for the accident. If not for SOCSO, medical expenses for the unfortunate accident would then be a major headache for the family.

What I am attempting to imply is, if riding a motorbike, ideally, have yourself covered by either Personal Accident (P.A.) insurance policy or at least a SOCSO scheme, like my brother.

Another motorcycle incident which I would like to relate to you involved the elder brother of a colleague of mine, a Miss Chong, who hailed from nearby Eng Ann estate in nearby Klang. This second episode unfolding has it that my colleague’s brother was riding a 500c.c. superbike down from the south in Singapore island one day.

Near Gemas town, in Johor, Chong’s brother was involved in a bad accident with a Petronas oil tanker. Chong’s brother was badly injured and he was reported to have died in the incident. As a mark of respect, I remembered attending the funeral arrangements held. Was Chong’s elder brother insured even though he was then riding a massive 500c.c. superbike? Hopefully, I hope that he was!

The intention of today’s article on motorbikes is not to relate to readers, incidences of unfortunate mishaps which be felled motorcycle riders. This article infact is meant to help or assist potential driving or riding students get through the Highway Code exam paper, which is a 50 questions computer text exam.

You see, numerous students from all over the country have written to this blog, lamenting about their inability to pass the Undang-undang exam. Some have even complained that they have to sit for this paper two or sometimes three times!

As a lecturer of the Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu (K.P.P.) or the Preliminary Course for would-be drivers for many years now, instructor should be fully aware why so many students face this predicament!

I feel or is of the opinion that many would-be students who take up driving, totally neglect studying Section C’s syllabus entirely. Section C, which consists of topics such as:-

a. The Demerit System

b. The Akta Pengangkutan Jalan(APJ)

c. Motorcycles

has infact 10 questions to be answered in all.

The section on motorcycles alone sometimes has 4-5 questions on it alone. Can you imagine what would happen if a potential student, aspiring to secure a driving or riding license (Class D or B2) is usable to answer 4 to 5 out of a total of 10 questions? That would tantamount to failing, because the passing mark in order to pass the Computer Test Paper is actually 42 out of 50 or 84%.

Do keep in mind that a student who is incapable of answering 4-5 questions in Section C alone, will not in any way be able to pass the Highway Code test at all. It’s as simple as that. So, take my advice. Ensure that you pay due attention to the topic of “Motorcycles”. In simple English, you can’t pass the Highway Code if you do not pay it due attention this section deserves.

Who is to be blamed for this sad state of affairs? One blame should go to the lecturer conducting the K.P.P course. Many are not bothered at all to advise students about this important requirement. This results in many students ignoring the section on “motorcycles” completely.

Secondly, I feel students themselves are also to be blamed as well. Why is this so, you may very well ask?

Many students, especially ladies, who opt for D licenses for cars, have the wrong notion that they need to know nothing about motorcycles. After all, they feel that they are only out after “car” driving licenses (Class D). As such they feel it is unnecessary for them to study anything on motorcycles.

So it is hope that with this article’s example, students will from now on realize that it is pertinent for them to study things on motorcycles as well. Hopefully, a charge of attitude from now onwards will lead to more and more students passing the Highway Code paper.

Anyway, I will enlighten you about a few important things potential students ought to know about “motorcycles”. The rest of it, you’ll have to read it yourselves from the K.P.P. textbook. As the saying goes, “you have to strive hard before you can achieve results”.

In the National Language or Bahasa Malaysia, the proverb or “saying” for it I think is, “bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian.” Therefore, if you should fail again in the computer test, you will only have yourself to blame for it. Do not say that you have not been forewarned.

Owners of Learner’s Driving License (LDL) are subjected to quite a few rules and regulations.

Unfortunately, the majority of “L” drivers and riders today do not seem to know what they can or cannot do with their Ls. Therefore, with today’s article, I will try to highlight some of the things an “L” driver is permitted to do or otherwise.

A person, be it a car driver or a motorcycle rider is used an “L” license for a duration of 3 months. You can even get an L license for 6 months if you pay double the sum for the license. As a matter of fact, some people feel it is more convenient getting a license for a longer duration.

Possessing an “L” license means that a person has passed his Highway Code test, which is Part I of the Road Transport’s rules and regulations. “L” license holders should realise that one’s L license has to be one month old before he or she is allowed to sit for his practical test.

A practical test for D license (Cars) has 2 parts, Part II (Slope, Parking, 3 point turn) and Part III (Road test). A practical test for motorcycles (B2 or B Full) likewise is also divided into 2 parts. Part 1 is the part on obstacles maneuver. It comprises of circling 2 round abouts, crossing a bridge some 18 – 20 meters long, zig-zagging amongst a series of cones and finally doing emergency brakes successfully.

Part 2 of motorcycle test is essentially the checking of various parts of a motorcycle namely:
i) Headlights

ii) Indicators

iii) Horn

iv) Brake lights

v) Handle bar mirrors

vi) Right hand signals

vii) Left hand signals

This is then followed by slowing down signals, signals to stop, to turn right and turn left. For B Full, a candidate has to go through an uneven road surface. This is to test the student’s ability to control a big bike.

This article would like to concentrate solely on motorcycle alone. Candidates taking up a car licenses will be dealt with in another later.

A motorcycle who is an L rider must put L plates both in front and at the back of the motorcycle. Failure to use the L plates whilst riding is an offense.

Another thing an L driver cannot do is to ferry a pillion rider. Many L riders are not aware of this requirement. When riding a motorcycle, L riders are reminded that they must put on their headlight and tail lights 24 hours a day.

Right and left handle bar mirrors are also compulsory for a motorcycle rider. Do bring along your L license when riding your bike. The same applies also to wearing a helmet. In Malaysia, half helmet are already banned.

Although an L license I not yet a full fledged license and it is termed as a temporary license, nevertheless, its user can be fined or summoned for traffic offences they commit. In the Demerit Points system which the Road Transport Authorities practice, P license holders and CDL license holders are given demerit points which can result in such licenses being withdrawn or revoked.

However, L license holders are exempted. Whatever the situation may be, L license holders should see to it that they should attempt to ride carefully to avoid being summoned by the authorities. Riding a bike cautiously will ensure your own safety.

As a lost word of advice to all L motorcycle riders, make sure that you wear the necessary motorcycle attire that has time and again been recommended to you. A good safety helmet is a must. So are leather jackets and knee high boots. Wear jeans ideally as they provide better protection to a rider. Goggles are also recommended highly. Wear leather gloves if you possibly can.

Riding a motorcycle is very dangerous. Therefore protecting yourselves with personal accident insurance policy is highly recommended to someone riding a motorcycle.

The government has rather recently directed all driving schools and institutes across the nation to charge potential motorcycle student no more than RM211.

This applied to those who intent to secure a Class B2 motorcycle license.

Briefly, the amount of RM211 seems to cover:

i) Attending the 5 hour course on Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu.

ii) Sitting for the computer test on the Highway Code.

iii) The issuance of the Learner Driver’s License or “L”.

iv) Attendance of the 6 hours theory course.

However, it should be informed that the driving school, being a service orientated business concern has the right to impose reasonable service charges on the student.

According to a close friend of mine who has been in the driving school business for over 40 years, the service charge can amount to anything from RM150 – RM200.

If should also be informed that a student is allowed to sit for the computer test only once. Should a student fail his or her Highway Code the first time around, then the driving school will impose a fee of RM50 for the second attempt.

The above rules and regulations are in accordance with the requirements of the transport authorities.

Where does a potential student wishing to secure a Class B2 (below 250 cc) license go after he or she has obtained the “L” license?

The student has to then enroll himself, normally through a driving institute to learn how to ride correctly at the institute’s premises.

This course which cost RM70 – RM85 will again be borne by the proprietor of the driving school or institute.

And what does the motorcycle learner be taught in its 4 – 5 lessons course?

In fact, at the institute, the tuition provided is done by trained driving instructors of the institutes who possess the necessary documents and certificates.

Motorcycle used for learning purposes, have the necessary insurance coverage and are inspected by the Puspakom authorities once every 6 months.

The motorcycle course, in case you are not aware is divided into 2 parts. They are:

Part 1

1) Riding around 2 round abouts.

2) Crossing a narrow 1 foot bridge in approximately 7 seconds or less.

3) Riding or zig sagging amongst a series of cones.

4) Doing an emergency stop procedure.

The above obstacles is said to test the students’ ability to control a motorcycle well.

Part II

This part is the practical test where it proceeds on to test the student on other aspects. This is called the “road riding” aspect of the test.

It includes:

i) Checking or installing signals, horns, hand brakes and foot brakes, front and rear brakes and handle bar mirror prior to moving off.

ii) The ability to use hand signals and mechanical signals of the vehicle well.

iii) Slowing down signals.

iv) How to put the vehicle or either 1 stand or double stand procedures.

It should further reiterated that once a rider wobbles or falls, he or she will be accorded an instant failure!

Come to think of it, to secure a B2 motorcycle license, the obstacles are many. In reality, it is not an easy thing getting a B2 motorcycle license after all.

My advice to all potential candidates is visit the institute’s premises more often so that you can learn to be adept in riding and controlling the vehicle prior to your practical test by the J.P.J. authorities.

If you should fail either Part I or Part II of the practical test, you will have to resit for it at a later date. And obviously, you have to learn a few more lessons before appearing for the next test. And this would mean further expenses on your part.

If you are able to pass both the parts of the practical test, then you will be rewarded with a B2 class riding license for bikes under 250 cc.