The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) has today called for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to agree to introduce transitional arrangements for motorcycle licence tests, as the date for the introduction of a European regulation looms.
On September 29th the motorcycle test is changing to introduce new manoeuvres required under a European Directive. The DSA has chosen to implement the directive by concentrating motorcycle tests at about 60 planned multi-purpose test centres (MPTC) around the UK. Currently there are around 260 motorcycle test centres and the DSA plan slashes this number by 80%.
The MCIA call has been prompted by the disclosure this week that only 17 test centres, nationwide, have so far been constructed ahead of the major changes in September. In an email from the DSA seen by the MCIA, the DSA admits that only 38 test centre sites have been acquired, and that “construction has been completed at 17 sites nationwide.”
Parliament is also concerned about the issue, with questions and a debate tabled by MPs, who are becoming alarmed about the huge geographical gaps in test centre coverage around the country. This will make it very difficult for motorcycle test candidates to find a suitably located test centre.
The MCIA’s Craig Carey-Clinch said:
“Although we are highly concerned by such a huge reduction in test facilities, the industry has been keen to work in partnership with the DSA to make the new measures work and improve bike safety.
“But enough is enough. It is becoming increasingly clear that the promised 60 test sites are unlikely to be delivered by the deadline, with huge gaps in coverage across the country. The net effect will be to add to the expense and difficulties that these European laws are already bringing to novice motorcyclists.
“Ironically, safety could also be compromised if candidates are forced to ride long distances to their tests. Many will be physically and mentally drained – hardly conducive to performing well on the test, and potentially very dangerous.
“The industry is now calling for transitional arrangements. It is entirely acceptable under the new regulations to have motorcycle-only test centres, not multi- purpose test sites. Specific manoeuvres in the test can also be redesigned so that a larger range of sites can be used.
“It is extremely telling that only the UK has chosen to create vast and expensive test sites. Belgium for example will be using a test site which is approximately a quarter smaller. This mess has also been partly created because the UK did not argue for a derogation, allowing 50kph manoeuvres to be completed at 30mph – a difference of only 1.06mph. This would have allowed the new test to be conducted on existing facilities or on the highway, as is happening in many other European countries.
“The slashing of test centre sites to about 60 was always going to create problems, but with only four months to go before the test changes, we are shocked that only 17 have been completed. Even if the DSA manages to complete the 38 sites that have been acquired, this will still leave a huge shortfall. The message is clear: now’s the time to take your test, before the system descends into chaos.”
The disclosure that the DSA is so far behind in its programme of new test sites, throws more weight behind the MCIA’s campaign calling on people to take their bike tests now while they can still be tested at a ‘local’ test centre under existing test procedures. Called Now’s the Time, full details and guidance on how to get a full bike licence are at www.takeyourtestnow.com
