Licence test on a scooter?

[davereid]

Thanks for the (as usual) accurate and well researched post. I'll ph LTSA again, as I have been informed (clearly incorrectly) that a moped was ok for the test.

[Pancakes]

+1 Ix,

Common sense says if the bikes legal and your legal (hand signals etc) all should be fine. I can see one of the due for retirement AA testers spazzing out tho!

Still recon they should have the gears condition. BIG DIFFERENCE!

[Ixion]

Interestingly, only the fact sheet for the full Class 6 contains that phrase. Not the 6R.

But, the law is even more explicit.

Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999
Part 8 Theory and practical tests for driver licences (r 45 to r 55)

50 Practical driving test not to be completed using certain vehicles

No practical driving test may be taken on a moped, all-terrain vehicle, or special-type vehicle.

Which would be rather a problem if someone ONLY had a moped? How do you get a licence? You would either have to borrow a car (and learn to drive it) and get a class1, or borrow a 'proper' motorcycle (and learn to ride it!)

Another interesting point is that the above Rule also explicitly includes motorcycles with sidecars as "legitimate" motorcycles.

So, a mid 60's Vespa, with a sidecar, but no indicators or brake lights. That should really make a testers day.

Also interesting is that the restriction regarding the 250cc limit does not apply to the Basic Handling Test. So you can take that on a GSXR1000.

And as someone noted the 'auto' thing does not apply to motorcycles.

[Dutchee]

I would've hoped the law had changed regarding scooters.
I got my full m/c licence on a Honda nifty fifty and argued about it then. Bloody stupid. I couldn't believe there wasn't a different class for them. I didn't have a car licence and couldn't get a car licence on the scooter, but could get a bike one.
I remember saying, so I can now legally jump on a GS1000 & kill myself, not knowing how to ride, but I'm legal. The answer was yes.
When I first started riding real bikes a few years back, I got pulled for lanesplitting & the cop commented that I'd had my bike licence for years and should've known better. I had to defend myself & say I'd been riding for a couple of months
I still think it's stupid and something should be noted on the licence.

[Pancakes]

Not knowing who to control the bike doesn't kill you, speed does. Or aren't you listening? hehehehe. Someone with their full on a 50 who test rides a CBR1000RR might find out too late what opening the throttle does a bit too late.


Graduated power classes and group handling tests for licence steps then an additional time and class (6+ or something) for bikes over 120 HP?

Too sensible aye, ah and speed kills.

[Steam]

What would happen if someone presented on a pre 1978 bike, complete with WoF and rego , and working headlights etc., but no indicators or stop lights? Not 'there but not working', just none at all. Pre 1978 vehicles are not required to have indicators or stop lights for a WoF, and cannot legally be deemed unroadworthy because of their absence.

I did my full test on my bike which had no front brake light, the switch on the lever was broken.
When the tester spotted this I quickly extemporised and said "it was built that way, it only had a rear brake brake light, as before 1985 the rules only said you needed to have a functioning brake light, not one for each brake."
Total bollocks but the tester accepted it, luckily!

So I guess they are happy and aware of people doing tests on old bikes.

[Dutchee]

Not knowing who to control the bike doesn't kill you, speed does. Or aren't you listening? hehehehe. Someone with their full on a 50 who test rides a CBR1000RR might find out too late what opening the throttle does a bit too late.


Graduated power classes and group handling tests for licence steps then an additional time and class (6+ or something) for bikes over 120 HP?

Too sensible aye, ah and speed kills.

I wouldn't have managed to even get going as a scooter has no gears or clutch. Just jump on it, twist & go.
They have an auto class for cars, should have for bikes, too.
I could have gone to any bike shop, taken any bike for a ride but would've had to ask how to ride
I had a serious argument with someone at my work (my supervisor) because he knew I had my bike licence & couldn't understand I did not want to take the courier bike to the other end of town because I did not know how to change gears etc. I did tell him I'd take my scooter if need be (it was a 250 by then).
I have been asked, when I've had to take company cars out if I knew how to drive a manual or if I only drove auto's. (I've only had 1 auto car & hate them).

[Subike]

So I can use my little AC50 suzi mavrick! 49cc's of highway cruzin power!
woot woot, full riding gear the whole shebang.....wonders
And you say It must reach the road limits where posted....complys ear Watson 61MPH flat out!!! lol, exceeds it!
Look out I might accually get a licence lol