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

BMF Events 2010
BMF Show 15/16 May
Garden of England Show (GEMS) 5/6 June
Kelso 10/11 July
Tail End 18/19 September

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

Disclaimer: Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.

AEG begins building casino before licence decision

Tories concerned as AEG reveals it has begun work on casino before getting a licence

The company bidding to host Britain's first supercasino has begun building on the project before it has even been granted a licence, it has emerged.

TV licence fee rises to £139.50

The cost of a television licence is set to rise by £4.

US president welcomed by Royals

Tax credit reforms welcomed

Plans to reform the tax credit system to make it more flexible and reduce the scope for overpayments have been broadly welcomed by campaigners.

Tories propose scrapping BBC licence fee

Purnell considers ending BBC hold on licence fee

BBC could be forced to share licence fee with other channels

The licence fee could be shared between other broadcasters, the culture, media and sport secretary has said.

'Black hole' in police force

Police forces are struggling to achieve cuts demanded by government

There is a financial black hole of half a billion pounds in the country's police forces, according to figures seen by Labour.

comments

Clarke calls for Labour renewal

Defending Labour's achievements in power will not be enough to win a fourth term in power, former home secretary Charles Clarke has warned.

BBC loses licence fee monopoly

The BBC will lose its monopoly over the licence fee after 2013, the government has announced in a wide ranging review on media and telecommunications.

Cuts undermine Trident renewal

A like-for-like replacement for Britain's nuclear deterrent may not be worth the huge cuts in conventional forces which will be required, an influential thinktank has warned.

Opinion Formers

Press Releases

BMF: The Motorcycling Minister Says Yes To Motorcycling

BMF Welcomes Red Tape Cut

BMF: Battle Lines Drawn on Type Approval

BMF In ‘Back Off EU’ Brussels Protest

BMF Concentrates Resources and Outsources its Shows

BMF: The EU and Motorcycling – Home Truths

BMF Means Business

The BMF Tailend Show Camps it Up!

The BMF Tailend Show – It’s a Knock-Out!

BMF: Concrete Benefit of the TT M6 Heysham Ferry Route

Twitter

Join the conversation at #opinion_formers

Related Opinion Former Press Releases

National Curriculum changes on Information and Communication Technology welcomed

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, comments on the launch of the public consultation on Michael Gove’s proposed changes to the National Curriculum for ICT.

CPA: Boost for Infrastructure Welcomed by Construction Industry

The Construction Products Association welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement confirming an increase for investment in infrastructure projects in today’s Autumn Statement, although overall capital spending continues to fall.

Government: Community schools will not be able to convert to 'faith' Academies in one step

The Government has reassured the British Humanist Association (BHA) today that under new plans being drawn up, community schools will not be able to convert to ‘faith’ Academies in one simple step, as had previously been reported and claimed by the Church of England (CofE).

Special event coverage

Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences

Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.

Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.

Opinion Former Events

20

22

07

22

30

27

NHF: Leaders’ Forum and Exhibition 2012

This flagship event is a forum for chief executives and chairs of the housing sector to network with each other and learn from a range of high-profile and inspirational speakers from media, political and housing backgrounds. It takes place in Park Plaza Victoria, London.

TACT: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): how to support affected children

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an incurable lifelong condition arising from brain damage caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The effects may include physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities. However, if diagnosed, the right strategies can transform the lives of those affected. This new Guardian Social Care Network half-day seminar in association with TACT Fostering and Adoption will explain the condition and show what can be done to help.

bpas: Abortion in the US: Popularity, Politics and Practice

We often hear of the ‘Americanisation’ of abortion politics in the UK, but unpicking the substantive threats to women’s reproductive rights in the US can be a challenge. The 2012 bpas public lecture will explore the current state of abortion politics in the US and, at a time when abortion appears increasingly politicised in the UK, reflect on what lessons can be drawn by those keen to protect women’s reproductive autonomy elsewhere.

Cogent SSC: UK Nuclear Skills Awards - 22nd March 2012

The UK Nuclear Awards is steadily becoming an anticipated annual event in the Nuclear calendar. The National Skills Academy for Nuclear and Cogent Sector Skills Council are preparing to hold their fourth collaborative Skills Awards Evening for the industry.

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference

This one-day event is targeted at professionals operating in the information destruction industry, and aims at keeping delegates updated on recent developments in their sector, providing an opportunity to network with fellow professionals, whilst offering access to an informative exhibition and a comprehensive conference programme.

Take the Gold Challenge for St Dunstan's

We provide lifelong support for blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. You can help give more blind heroes an independent future by taking the Gold Challenge