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As details of new motorcycle licence test arrangements for late 2008 are finalised by the Government, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), is encouraging people to take up motorcycling and get their full licence. Driven by European legislation, The Second European Driving Licence Directive, or 2DLD, will come into force in September/October 2008 and will introduce new elements to motorcycle testing and training.

Despite the fact that motorcyclists are already the best trained non vocational road users in Britain, there will be an additional element to the current practical test, in the form of a new manouvering test at 'super test centres' which the government is currently building around the country.

The new manouveres, including the slalom, figure of eight, hazard avoidance and cornering skills, will all be tested during the new off road test. Whilst the new elements to the bike test will help riders understand more about the capabilities of their machines, there isconcern about the addtional expense to take the test, the increased cost of training and the fact that the number of test centres across the country will significantly reduce.

With the prospect of facing longer waiting lists for tests and possibly more expensivetraining, many would be motorcyclists are likely to take their test over the next two summers before the new legislation comes into effect.

MCI's Craig Carey-Clinch said: 'The last time major changes to the motorcycle test were brought in back in 1997 we saw a huge rise in the number of people taking their test before the changes came into force and a reduction immediately after the changes. We expect history to repeat itself. Over the coming months, we plan to raise awareness about SDLD legislation and promote the benefits of getting on two wheels in order to motivate those who don't have a full motorcycle licence to get one now.'

For more information visit:
UK Bike test

Article taken from "Motoring & Leisure" (CSMA July/August 2007)

35 years ago I rode around the block with a traffic officer following me on his bike. Job done. I accept the bikes are much faster nowdays, but they turn easier and stop better. More cage driver education should be to the front of driver education. Not cage avoidence........Sorry.... yeah get the licence now.

i agree, the driving tests for a regular liscense is a joke. there are way to many people who have no business driving cars. the same can be said for motorcycles, some people cant ride worth a darn and some can ride but are so nervous they are a danger. just one of those things i gusss that will always be an issue

Frank

got mine last october after many years sodding about trying to convince mrs that i wouldn't get killed in process. well hey still here and getting divrced from the ******. life is sweet

I'm telling everyone I know that's thinking about it to get the test done now....or at least before this comes in.

They should make cage drivers take an equivalent test.

I got my first bike for my ninth birthday. It was a new, 1973 Yamaha GT80. I rode it all over North Texas until I was fifteen and got my first license (Motorcycle only).

I remember the officer following me in a car and honking the horn once for me to turn left and twice for right. I passed the written test and driving test the first time, but I had been riding for six years at that time and my father was a stickler for motorcycle safety so we went over the rules regularly (the one about needing a license in order to operate a motorcycle on the street not withstanding).

Now I live in Colorado and my fourteen year old daughter is bugging me about getting her motorcycle license. Now the rules are quite different than they were when I was a kid. She can get a permit at fifteen and take a motorcycle safety course. Once she passes the course and has held a permit for one year, she can go down to the DMV and get a shiny new license without having to take any tests.

I reckon when she turns fifteen next march, I'll buy her a little Honda Rebel, or shadow and get her a permit. I look forward to her getting her motorcycle license before her automobile license, just like the old-man.

I had my new Z900 on a trailer, when I went to the local gestapo to get a licence to ride it, back in '77. The Sergeant came out the front to watch me ride down the street, but when he saw it tied down to a trailer, he looked at his watch, looked at me, and said "Can you ride that f#$%*@ thing?", to which I replied, "****** yeah!". Took my lic. offa me, and endorsed it for AU$1.00 (about US$0.85c). Gee I miss the old days.........

I had the local DMV guy watch me start it, weave between two cones and stop it.....