‘The collapse of the Off Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill is a victory for common sense,’ according to Mike Owen, head of the Motorcycle Retailers Association,’ (MRA), a part of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).
Graham Stringer MP, who originally proposed the bill has been forced to withdraw it due to opposition by Government, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and lobbying against the bill by the MRA and other organisations.
If the bill had passed, trials bikes, motor cross bikes, circuit bikes, and quads, could have been forced to carry number plates. Under the law as it stands, vehicles that are only used off-road are not required to carry number plates.
Owen commented: ‘There is already adequate provision for registration, as the DVLA operates a register for off-road bikes, using the chassis number as a marker.
‘What we need to do is to expand the DVLA’s programme, so that all off-road bikes are issued with a registration certificate. This would reduce problems for people who are buying and selling vehicles.’
Tansport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick has suggested an Interdepartmental Task Force to make sure that the existing regulations are fully enforced.
Owen added: ‘What is required is robust enforcement of existing rules, and hopefully the new task force will work towards this practical and positive goal.’
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