MRTA welcomes two part motorcycle test

‘The views of the motorcycle training sector have been taken into account on both practical and policy matters,’ said Kevin Bryan, Chairman of the RMI’s Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA), commenting on the announcement that a two part modular practical motorcycle test is to be introduced.

The new test is being introduced as a result of new requirements included in the Second EC Driving Licence Directive (Directive 2000/56/EC).

The move comes after the conclusion of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) consultation which asked for views from across the industry on a range of test options.

The new test will first be available on 27 April this year.

The test will consist of two modules. Module One will contain the specified manoeuvres element of the test which will be conducted off road and will include a number of exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely. These manoeuvres will include the emergency stop exercises, ability to avoid obstacles, and low speed control. Module Two will include the eyesight test and at least 30 minutes of riding on the road, during which the examiner will assess the candidate’s ability to safely interact with other road users.

Bryan continues: ‘The new two-part module test will mean that in practice, if you pass module one, this can be “banked.” Under the previously-proposed single event test, those who passed module one, but failed module two would have to start the whole process again, which would have been expensive for all concerned.’

The DSA hopes to offer greater coverage of sites from which the Module One specified manoeuvres element of the test may be taken. ‘The MRTA believes it is vital that the DSA increase the number of test sites as quickly as possible, not least for safety reasons,’ said Bryan

Bryan continues: ‘Hopefully lessons have been learned from the largely fraught process of implementing the motorcycle aspects of the Second EC Driving Licence Directive. Although not ideal, the situation come April 2009 is probably as good as we could have hoped for. We are still meeting DSA regularly to push for more test locations to give greater choice to consumers and industry, and to drive improvements in other areas such as the trainer booking system.

Commenting on the increased test fees also announced, Bryan added: ‘It is a pity the DSA have not found an alternative way of recovering the costs of implementing the new test. When introduced, the new fee structure will represent a 50 per cent cost increase in just over a year. MRTA has real concerns about the potential impact this could have on illegal riding for those who are struggling to afford higher fees.’