Search    Tax & fuel calculator |
Overhaul of testing and licences for some in four years
publication date: Nov 16, 2009
European requirements on driver testing, training, examination and licensing which come into force in 2013. The main aspects of the new requirements are: ● Motorcyclists - The current two categories of motorbike will be replaced with three - A1 (up to 125cc), A2 (up to 35Kw) and A (above 35Kw) - and new rules introduced for riders of larger bikes. Riders wanting to progress to larger categories of motorbikes will have to take additional training or a further test and there will be a rise in the minimum age from 21 to 24 for those wishing to start riding larger bikes without previous experience. ● Trailer towing - New car and light van drivers wanting to towtrailers may also be affected. The consultation proposes that driverswill be able to tow a slightly larger trailer on a normal car driving licence (category B), if they take a further test or undertake training. There will also be a restriction on the overall size of the vehicle/trailer combination that can be driven on a category B+E licence entitlement (car/light van plus trailer). ● Licence renewals for bus and lorry drivers - at present, drivers of medium-sized and large buses and lorries need to renew their licences every five years once they reach the age of 45. Over-45s also need to demonstrate their fitness to drive through a full medical report. From 2013, under-45s who drive these vehicles will also need to confirm medical fitness and renew their licence every five years. However, under-45s will not require a full medical report and will still only need to renew their photograph every 10 years. All other drivers and riders will continue to renew their driving licences every 10 years as is currently the case. ● Driving examiners - Compulsory initial qualification, periodic training and quality assurance checks for driving examiners will be required for driving examiners. The DSA already fulfils most of these requirements but the introduction of periodic training will enhance these existing arrangements. Commenting on the proposals for implementation of the 3rd Driving Licence Directive, the MCI and MCITA said, "The implementation of the Third Driving Licence Directive is an opportunity to improve motorcyclists' safety, which must not be missed, nor smothered in gold-plating. The EU offered member states a choice between training and testing. The consultation proposes a confusion of training AND testing as the route to a full motorcycle licence. Training, not testing, is the option which will make the greatest contribution to improving rider safety. The Government should have the confidence to implement the full training option, not the confused mix offered in this proposal. Training as the route to a full licence will not only improve rider skills but help to create a culture of lifelong learning among motorcyclists. While the costs of any reform are of course an important factor, the decision between training and testing must be made on road safety grounds alone. Costs can be kept manageable if the Government resists the temptation to gold-plate the implementation of this directive and sticks to its promise to implement it "with the lightest touch possible". |
     Welsh travel servicesVisit
celticocean.co.uk  |
.gif){kind=small}