Third EU Licence Directive - What it means to new motorcyclists

[NRC Training]

As from 19th January 2013 the Third EU Licence Directive comes into force. This new legislation brings in some significant changes to motorcycle licences and the 'hoops' you'll have to jump through to get to ride a high powered motorbike..

Here is my interpretation of the information sent to me from the DSA.

There will be four licence types.

P - Moped The rules regarding mopeds aren't changing. Significantly less than 1% of two wheeled tests are taken on mopeds so it's hardly suprising they spent no time on these.

A1 - 125cc. As now you can take the test on a 125cc bike from the age of 17, but unlike now there is no 33bhp limit and it won't automatically upgrade after two years.

A2 - 46.6bhp (35kW). This is a new licence category. You must be 19 or over to do this test. If you have an A1 licence for two years (passed the tests on a 125cc) then you don't need to do the theory again. Again this licence doesn't automatically upgrade to a full A licence.

A - Unlimited cc You must be over 24 to do Direct Access (currently 21), though if you have held an A2 licence for two years you can do this test at the age of 21, with no repeat of the Theory Test.

The key points of the new rules are;

You will have to be 24 or over to do Direct Access.

Direct Access to a full category A licence will require you to take both practical tests on a bike in excess of 595cc.

To get a full A licence before you are 24, you will have to take both the practical tests at least twice, possibly three times.

You only get a licence for the category for the bike you took your tests on, no two year upgrades.

You only need to take one Theory Test provided you are only moving up one category.

Plus;

If you pass your test on a 125cc bike before January 19th 2013 that meets the current Restricted A licence rules, then your licence will upgrade as it currently does. These laws will not be applied retrospectively, I have telephoned the DSA and they have confirmed this.

33bhp restrictor kits will be consigned to the bin, however 46.6bhp (35Kw) restrictor kits will replace them.
You will not be allowed to restrict a bike to 46.6bhp (35Kw) if it's standard power output exceeds 93.2bhp (70Kw), so no 46.6bhp R6's, sorry.

There are going to be a lot of 500cc twins for sale this year!
Unless the training schools restrict their 500's to 46.6bhp (35Kw) to suit A2 they'll be redundant.


Nigel - NRC Training Welshpool.

[Day7936]

I don't understand the reasoning behind this at all in just glad I done it when I did!!!
Have they mentioned at what the objectives were in changing it all

[NRC Training]

"The purpose of this legislation is to reduce the number of accidents involving younger riders".

When I suggested that current statistics suggest that in fact there are a higher proportion of motorcycle accidents involving riders over 30 and I couldn't see how these changes addressed the DSA man's reply was something along the lines of;

the regulations are Europe wide and better minds than ours have been applied to this problem and this is the solution they decided was best.

[Day7936]

"The purpose of this legislation is to reduce the number of accidents involving younger riders".

When I suggested that current statistics suggest that in fact there are a higher proportion of motorcycle accidents involving riders over 30 and I couldn't see how these changes addressed the DSA man's reply was something along the lines of;

the regulations are Europe wide and better minds than ours have been applied to this problem and this is the solution they decided was best.

So what are your feelings on this as a instructor / trainer

[pricey]

"The purpose of this legislation is to reduce the number of accidents involving younger riders".

When I suggested that current statistics suggest that in fact there are a higher proportion of motorcycle accidents involving riders over 30 and I couldn't see how these changes addressed the DSA man's reply was something along the lines of;

the regulations are Europe wide and better minds than ours have been applied to this problem and this is the solution they decided was best.

its time we got out of this european rule forcing, idiotic,bullshi--g, money grabbing,fecking time wasting beatdown the brits,and do as we tell you from brussels and the rest of the crap they keep ramming down our throats market. RANT OVER

[Lunkhead]

The objectives are clear here.

Make the rules so damn difficult and convoluted that no-one can understand them without a text book, calculator and calendar in front of them, plus workshop facility behind them. Then, with a it of luck no-one will bother motorcycling and within a few years it's all died out.

Personally I wouldn't worry about any of this. It's so hard to work out (impossible at the roadside) that no police officer is ever going to enforce the regulations, the admin dept is never going to be able to process it, the CPS is not going to be satisfied that the level of proof is reached and the magistrates will fall asleep during the explanations.

[ohmistagee]

I'm with Pricey. Good words my man! 

[Day7936]

"The purpose of this legislation is to reduce the number of accidents involving younger riders".

When I suggested that current statistics suggest that in fact there are a higher proportion of motorcycle accidents involving riders over 30 and I couldn't see how these changes addressed the DSA man's reply was something along the lines of;

the regulations are Europe wide and better minds than ours have been applied to this problem and this is the solution they decided was best.

its time we got out of this european rule forcing, idiotic,bullshi--g, money grabbing,fecking time wasting beatdown the brits,and do as we tell you from brussels and the rest of the crap they keep ramming down our throats market. RANT OVER

100% it's time we took a stand against the EU bullies

[Bloke]

I don't think the EU is the problem. It's our own politicians. The french, the germans, etc all have rules that work for their countries. Why our MEPs are all pushovers I've no idea.

As for this, it's ancient news. iirc it was all agreed several years ago before the mod1/2 split as that too is part of the same legislation.

Sucks to be a new rider.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

[ireland.1495]

not going to preach but

Cardiff local branch of the Motorcycle Action Group is being set up.
The meeting is set for 8pm every second Thursday of each month at The Ninian Park Pub, Leckwith Road, Cardiff. CF11 8HH.
MAG fights for your biker rights, defending your freedom to ride. At a time when EU Regulations and legislation targeting bikes is rising there is no better time to join your local MAG.

It's only a couple of quid to join and the more in, the better.
Don't just rant about it!  Join and support the action.

Join the Fred Hill run:

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

or facebook:
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[Day7936]

Is there anything in mid Wales mate Cardiff is a bit far for to travel

[ireland.1495]

Is there anything in mid Wales mate Cardiff is a bit far for to travel

not sure (will ask 2marrow)
maybe best go on web site
have a look around while you are there
link on my web site
 

[sdwboss]

Very interesting, I might pop down. I'm glad I didn't leave it another couple of years to get on a bike! 

[NRC Training]

I don't think the EU is the problem. It's our own politicians. The french, the germans, etc all have rules that work for their countries. Why our MEPs are all pushovers I've no idea.

As for this, it's ancient news. iirc it was all agreed several years ago before the mod1/2 split as that too is part of the same legislation.

Sucks to be a new rider.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

The first paragraph here echos my feelings on this and most EU regulations.

Yes, the EU Licence Directives have been introduced step-by-step over the last few years, however the final details of the rules as  always are late in arriving as they are argued right to the end. Take the module one for instance the final test arrangement was so late in being finalised the introduction had to be delayed to allow test centres to be sorted out.

The introduction of the two module motorcycle test has resulted in a higher standard of new motorcyclists; since the test is a bit harder people have to be better prepared and therefore end up better riders. Logistically though two separate tests are a nightmare! The independent riding section of the module two test and the car test is a really good idea. Not all new regulation is bad.

The ideas behind the Licence Directive are in principal good, to eventually move to a European Driving Licence bringing to an end to international drivers having national licences and therefore possibly untraceable driving histories. In order for this to happen the tests, for all vehicles must be the same standard. My issue is that the whole thing seems to be an exercise in complexity, especially with regard to motorcycles.

The cynic in me does see this as a way of massaging figures, by reducing the number of motorcycles on the roads. Though, in reality it's probably not an anti-bike conspiracy, it's more likely just bureaucrats getting carried away.

As a trainer I don't see any benefits for UK motorcyclists with these latest regulations. In fact, as an ATB they are a real problem, primarily the cost of getting different bikes when the economic climate has already reduced my customer base.

From a different and probably more important perspective the increase in the engine capacity for DAS will result in newly qualified 'mature' rider buying a larger bike, as 600's will be perceived as learner bikes. This is my main worry, as newly qualified riders could potentially buy a bike that needs more experience or training to ride safely. Training schools will not have 'sports' 600s they'll use twins, because they are light and less fragile when dropped. The potential performance difference between say a Gladius and a GSXR600 is enormous, try convincing someone whose mates all ride GSXR1000's that he'd be better on a CBF600 for twelve months. It's hard enough when they've trained on a 500, it's going to be harder still when they learned on a 600.

All my DAS courses include additional post test training (at no additional cost) to try and reduce the performance difference problem, as 'learner' bikes get larger this performance step problem becomes even more serious.

Nigel - NRC Training Welshpool

[snoopy]

I don't think the EU is the problem. It's our own politicians. The french, the germans, etc all have rules that work for their countries. Why our MEPs are all pushovers I've no idea.As for this, it's ancient news. iirc it was all agreed several years ago before the mod1/2 split as that too is part of the same legislation.

Sucks to be a new rider.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

sooo true