Burkina Faso Permis Moto (A1/A) common mistakes
Burkina Faso Permis Moto (A1/A) · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
Stopping at a STOP sign without bringing the motorcycle to a complete halt, treating it as a simple slowdown when the intersection looks clear.
Riders carry over the habit of rolling through low-traffic junctions and underestimate how strictly the full stop is graded; the foot-down requirement is forgotten under test stress.
What to do instead
Train the sequence out loud: clutch in, both brakes, left foot down, head turn left-right-left, then release. Repeat it at every empty junction during practice until the full stop becomes automatic.
Misreading priority at an unmarked crossroads and assuming the wider or busier road always has right of way.
Everyday riding is guided by habit and courtesy rather than by the default priority rule, so the candidate never consciously applies it.
What to do instead
Memorise the default rule that at an unmarked intersection the vehicle approaching from the right has priority, and drill it with written scenarios and diagrams until the reflex is to look right first.
Confusing the meaning of road markings, for example crossing a continuous centre line or parking on a yellow edge line.
Markings are learned as pictures rather than as rules, and worn paint on rural roads makes them hard to read during practice.
What to do instead
Build a one-page table pairing each marking (continuous line, broken line, zebra, stop line, hatched area) with its exact obligation, and review it before every practice ride.
Failing to signal a turn or change of direction, or signalling after already starting the manoeuvre.
On a light motorcycle the hands are busy with clutch and throttle, and riders fear losing control if they release the grip to indicate.
What to do instead
Practise indicating before braking and before turning on an empty lot until the order (mirror, signal, shoulder check, manoeuvre) is fixed; adjust the lever so the thumb reaches the switch without releasing the grip.
Riding without a correctly fastened helmet, or with an unapproved helmet, and wearing light clothing instead of protective gear.
Heat and short trips encourage riders to leave the chin strap loose or skip gear, and the legal requirement is confused with mere helmet ownership.
What to do instead
Adopt a fixed pre-ride check: strap fastened and snug under the chin, helmet approved, gloves, closed shoes and long sleeves on. Make it a habit before starting the engine every single time.
Braking with the front brake only, or grabbing it hard on a slippery or gravelly surface, causing a skid or fall.
The front brake is the most effective and riders over-rely on it, while fear of the front wheel locking leads others to use only the rear, both of which fail in an emergency.
What to do instead
Practise progressive braking with both brakes together on dry tarmac, then repeat on gravel at low speed to feel the limit. Squeeze the front lever, never snatch it, and keep the bike upright.
Not checking mirrors and the blind spot before changing lane or overtaking, and riding in the blind spot of larger vehicles.
The small mirrors of a motorcycle give a narrow view and riders trust them fully without turning the head, especially when tired or in traffic.
What to do instead
Make a shoulder glance mandatory before every lateral movement, and consciously avoid sitting beside trucks or buses where the driver cannot see the bike.
Being unable to produce the required documents during a roadside check, or not knowing which papers the motorcycle must carry.
Documents are kept at home, left in another jacket, or the rider assumes the licence alone is enough.
What to do instead
Keep licence, registration card, insurance certificate and technical inspection where applicable in a sealed pouch fixed to the bike, and check its contents monthly.
Moving an injured rider after a fall, or removing the helmet, instead of securing the scene and calling for help.
Panic and the wish to help push witnesses to lift the victim or pull off the helmet, which can worsen a spinal or neck injury.
What to do instead
Learn the fixed order: protect the area, alert the emergency services with a precise location, then keep the victim still and warm while waiting, touching the helmet only if breathing is obstructed.
Neglecting basic machine checks, riding with under-inflated tyres, a slack or dry chain, or a worn brake, and ignoring the fuel reserve.
Maintenance is seen as a garage task, and the daily check is skipped because the bike started fine the day before.
What to do instead
Adopt a short pre-ride routine covering tyre pressure and tread, chain tension and lubrication, brake and light function, and fuel level, and record tyre pressure checks weekly.