bmf: Motorcycle test review welcomed

Wednesday, 9 June 2010 12:00 AM

The British Motorcyclists Federation has welcomed the Government's announcement* today of a review of the bungled motorcycle test procedure currently imposed on British motorcycling.

The new two-part motorcycle test was introduced in April 2009 in order to meet the requirements of the second EU Directive on driving licences, but the bmf has always maintained that while most elements in the module 1 test are required by the Directive, there was 'gold plating' of the requirements by the previous administration resulting in the introduction of large Multi Purpose Test Centres* (MPTCs) and the closing down of many small, convenient motorcycle test sites.

The bmf also says that there was a failure by British Ministers to negotiate an exemption from the EU requirement that parts of the test should be performed at 50 km/h (31.07 mph), a speed not permitted in built-up areas. These points were reiterated last week in a specially arranged meeting with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning where the bmf, the Motorcycle Industry Association and fellow rider's group MAG were invited.

Announcing the review, Mike Penning said that "The new two-part motorcycle test has clearly led to some concern amongst motorcycle groups, particularly about the safety of the off-road module 1 part of the test and about the difficulty of accessing the limited number of off-road test centres." He went on to say that while it was introduced in order to meet the requirements of the EU Directive, "there may be scope for us to make some changes to the way in which the test is carried out."

Commenting on the announcement, the bmf's Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder said: "We have made our position on this new test (and the changes coming in 2013) plain on many occasions so I am very pleased that the new government is keen to listen to and address our concerns as one of its first actions. We look forward to participate fully in the review."

The bmf also supports the fact that members of the public and other interested parties are also being asked to contribute and can do so by emailing the Department for Transport here by 31 July.

Notes:

The planned 66 MPTCs, unique within Europe, were budgeted at £72 million but are not all operational and further, were primarily constructed to carry out a combined swerve and stop test that is not required by the directive!

The DfT announcement can be found at: click here

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