Bob
28th January 2005, 01:22
The motorcycle industry has reacted angrily to the results of a vote in the European Parliament, which they say “Threatens to fundamentally change the way which novice motorcyclists can gain their licences in the UK and the rest of Europe.”
As reported in here last year, the EU proposed to bring in a wide-ranging series of amendments to the current motorcycle licence law.
The proposed changes could mean that people will lose the right to ride a motorcycle with an engine size larger than 125cc until they are 19. Older novice riders may not be able to gain a full licence to ride larger motorcycles by Direct Access training until they are 25. In addition, new car drivers will lose the right to ride mopeds with a full car licence, which they can do in the UK after completing comprehensive compulsory basic training.
The Motorcycle Industry Associations’s Craig Carey-Clinch said; “The situation is fast becoming Euro Lunacy. The Commission never bothered to evaluate the need to change the licensing regime, simply justifying their proposals with the rather nebulous reason that they were required ‘for safety reasons’. However, they didn’t use evidence to back their arguments, meaning that their so-called ‘safety’ logic is flawed."
Carey-Clinch added; “It seems utterly daft that we’re moving to a situation where the requirements for novice motorcyclists could become tougher than those for novice aircraft pilots – who can gain a pilot’s licence from the age of 16.”
So what are the EU planning?
The licence categories will change. The current A1 licence (up to 125cc/11kW) will remain, but the full A licence will be split into two sections; A2, which is the same as the present “2 year restricted” licence (under 25kW/33bhp) and full unrestricted A. A new moped category (AM) would also be introduced.
The minimum test age also changes. The A1 test will be open to all riders aged 16 or above – down from 17 under current UK legislation. But the A2 test age will be raised to 19 and the full A category will be subject to a minimum age of 21. The EU also want to impose ‘graduated access’, so passing the A1 test will mean two years before being allowed to take the A2 test, then three years at A2 level before taking the full A test.
Direct Access (DAS) will also be affected, with the minimum age being raised to 25. The EU feel “drivers could easily avoid the requirement of two years of practical driving experience simply by waiting two years after acquiring a ‘limited’ licence”.
The proposals also crack down on restricting bikes. Worried that manufacturers will look to make lighter and more powerful machines, the proposals will see Power to Weight ratios introduced. A1 will have a Power to Weight Ratio of 0.1kW/kg and A2 will carry a Power/Weight ratio of 0.2kW/kg. In simple terms, you will no longer be able to restrict a Hayabusa to 125cc!
Finally the introduction of a practical test for each licence category is proposed. Currently, pass the A1 test and then decide you want to ride larger capacity bikes, it is necessary to take your test again. But pass the full A licence and after two years at a restricted level you can ride bikes of any capacity. Not if the EU get their way. Even after passing A2 and completing three years at that level, to move to the full A licence, it will be necessary to take another practical test. This will ‘only’ be a test of road riding, so ‘technical control and manoeuvring’ will not be included.
As reported in here last year, the EU proposed to bring in a wide-ranging series of amendments to the current motorcycle licence law.
The proposed changes could mean that people will lose the right to ride a motorcycle with an engine size larger than 125cc until they are 19. Older novice riders may not be able to gain a full licence to ride larger motorcycles by Direct Access training until they are 25. In addition, new car drivers will lose the right to ride mopeds with a full car licence, which they can do in the UK after completing comprehensive compulsory basic training.
The Motorcycle Industry Associations’s Craig Carey-Clinch said; “The situation is fast becoming Euro Lunacy. The Commission never bothered to evaluate the need to change the licensing regime, simply justifying their proposals with the rather nebulous reason that they were required ‘for safety reasons’. However, they didn’t use evidence to back their arguments, meaning that their so-called ‘safety’ logic is flawed."
Carey-Clinch added; “It seems utterly daft that we’re moving to a situation where the requirements for novice motorcyclists could become tougher than those for novice aircraft pilots – who can gain a pilot’s licence from the age of 16.”
So what are the EU planning?
The licence categories will change. The current A1 licence (up to 125cc/11kW) will remain, but the full A licence will be split into two sections; A2, which is the same as the present “2 year restricted” licence (under 25kW/33bhp) and full unrestricted A. A new moped category (AM) would also be introduced.
The minimum test age also changes. The A1 test will be open to all riders aged 16 or above – down from 17 under current UK legislation. But the A2 test age will be raised to 19 and the full A category will be subject to a minimum age of 21. The EU also want to impose ‘graduated access’, so passing the A1 test will mean two years before being allowed to take the A2 test, then three years at A2 level before taking the full A test.
Direct Access (DAS) will also be affected, with the minimum age being raised to 25. The EU feel “drivers could easily avoid the requirement of two years of practical driving experience simply by waiting two years after acquiring a ‘limited’ licence”.
The proposals also crack down on restricting bikes. Worried that manufacturers will look to make lighter and more powerful machines, the proposals will see Power to Weight ratios introduced. A1 will have a Power to Weight Ratio of 0.1kW/kg and A2 will carry a Power/Weight ratio of 0.2kW/kg. In simple terms, you will no longer be able to restrict a Hayabusa to 125cc!
Finally the introduction of a practical test for each licence category is proposed. Currently, pass the A1 test and then decide you want to ride larger capacity bikes, it is necessary to take your test again. But pass the full A licence and after two years at a restricted level you can ride bikes of any capacity. Not if the EU get their way. Even after passing A2 and completing three years at that level, to move to the full A licence, it will be necessary to take another practical test. This will ‘only’ be a test of road riding, so ‘technical control and manoeuvring’ will not be included.