GENERAL NEWS

DOES MOTORCYCLE TESTING NEED TO CHANGE?

IS THE CBT FIT FOR PURPOSE OR SHOULD IT BE TWEAKED?

BY Lucy England ON 03 August 2023

Fun you can have, after motorcycle test you've got! Says Yoda :) *

Many motorcyclists have felt for a while, that improvements to the CBT and motorcycle testing in general, were long overdue. Changes to the CBT were mooted back in 2016 when the Department of Transport examined motorcycle training and testing, in a consultation called 'Improving Moped and Motorcycle Training'. Just like it says on the tin, that's what it was meant to do...make things better and the tests more fit for purpose...so what happened? The investigation threw up a number of ideas for updates to training, suggested by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), Transport for London and various other road safety charities. The results of the consultation were published in 2017 and then...precisely nothing happened.

Some of the proposed changes were that training should be offered so that new riders could move up through the CCs and get bigger more powerful bikes via training courses, rather than expensive demanding and seemingly endless practical tests. The new route would take riders' experience of actual regular riding into account as well, which is of course, very valuable.

The consultation also suggested the introduction of an automatic-only CBT, designed for riders of twist and go machines, but with an option to upgrade via more training.

Another recommendation was that trainees should be required to wear the proper kit for riding a motorcycle or scooter, not just the correct helmet and that the theory test was to be taken before the road test, so that riders even on L plates should know the rules of the road, not just go out blind.

It also recommended revoking the CBT for riders who have acquired six or more penalty points on their licences. All of these ideas and more, were agreed in priciple back around the time of the consultation, but none have actually come into force to date.

There was going to be a new instructor qualification too, enabling instructors to qualify for testing the CBT and the DAS (Direct Access Scheme) at the same time. The CBT admin process was also going to be digitised to make it easier to use.

One other important change to the motorcycle licence process was suggested. Currently, trying to get a full licence from scratch is a long, laborious and, many think, over-complicated process. There are multiple tests, lots of different age limits especially if you are under 24. The 2016 consultation preferred a 'Progressive Access' route with seven hours of additional training to progress from the restricted A2 licence to an unlimited one. This is alread y allowed under EU licence rules, but hasn't come in here yet. The government is saying about this:
“We intend to explore the costs and feasibility of introducing progressive access training and will consult more fully once these factors have been considered.”

After all that work, nothing happening, so as a follow up, a letter has been written to the Secretary of State for Transport trying to chivvy them along and encourage the government to get the wind under its sails and actually implement the proposed changes.

Craig Carey Cinch, National Motorcycle Council's Executive Director had this to say about it:
"The changes we call for in our joint letter today were agreed by Government several years ago and their introduction is long overdue. We urge the Secretary of State and the Department for Transport to commence work to implement this positive and potentially life-saving legislation.“Our letter to the Secretary of State marks a moment when the motorcycle sector, public authorities and road safety organisations have come together to achieve positive change for motorcycle safety. We urge the Government to take note and act in partnership with all parties to make these changes to CBT and also to other areas of motorcycle safety, so that a more sustainable and proactive approach can be taken to support casualty reduction for this important mode of mobility, transport and leisure.”

We will see if the suggested changes actually happen or not. Do you have a view on this? We'd like to hear about your experiences when you got your test, so do drop us a lline at: [email protected]or on Facebook

*Thanks to Milky for the picture