Hole in one licence renewal welcomed by bmf

Wednesday, 9 December 2009 12:00 AM

After sustained pressure from the British Motorcyclists Federation along with Motor Cycle News and fellow lobbyists, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will now be returning original driving licences to motorcyclists whenever a replacement licence is issued.

The new procedure (with a hole punched through the original licence to invalidate it), has been introduced because disputed entitlements over licence categories have meant that many riders have been forced to take another driving test simply because they were unable to prove previously held entitlements.

The decision to return the defaced original licence follows months of lobbying over the issuing of replacement driving licences to motorcyclists applying for a replacement licence due to change of address, loss, renewal etc., who have then found that their replacement licence has not included the all-important 'Category A' motorcycle entitlement.

Because photocopies or other written evidence of entitlements have always proved unacceptable to the DVLA, the bmf had lobbied for the solution, first raised in the BBC's Watchdog programme*, whereby, similar to passport renewal, cutting the corner off the old licence and returning the old with its replacement would provide proof of entitlement.

Commenting, bmf Government Relations Executive, Chris Hodder said: "This is a practical and low-cost solution to a persistent problem and we are pleased that the DVLA has responded to our lobbying in such a positive way."

*Note: BBC Watchdog dated the 27th of April 2009 featured a long-serving police motorcycle mechanic who found that he'd had his entitlement for a category A motorcycle licence removed. Despite having held a licence for 28 years and written support from his police superiors, he still had to take a new driving test.

Ends

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Issued by Jeff Stone: t: 0121 709 1040 m: 07802 763094 e: jeff.stone@bmf.co.uk

Details on this and other BMF activities can also be found on our web site: www.bmf.co.uk

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