New test, progressive training?

[Stalk]

Hello. Just had a chat with the dsa about the new licencing arrangements and was told that they are now looking at something called "Progressive Training" so that a person who passes their 125 motorbike would then, after 2 years, be able to progress to the next licence (bigger bike) by undergoing training with a training school, and not have to take a further test with the dsa. The reason given was that they are "struggling to fit in al the mod 1s and 2s at the moment"
Have you come across this?

Cheers
Stalk

[Rogerborg]

That's the way the 3DLD was supposed to work, but the DfT rejected the training route in 2010, and it's just been whisper and rumour since.

Who exactly in the DSA did you talk to? It'd take an Act or at least new Regulations to allow it - the DSA can't just decide off their own back to change licensing.

Although maybe they don't know that...
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[Paulington]

Hey Stalk.

The system now is one of "Progressive Access", and I will list the stages for you, assuming you are starting at 16.

16: Maximum allowed is a moped (mo more than 50cc) with a maximum speed of 30mph. For this you need to take your CBT, a theory test and a practical test, doing so gives you category "AM" on your licence.

17: Maximum allowed is a "light" motorcycle, no more than 125cc with a max power output of 11kW and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW/kg. For this you need to already have your CBT + Theory test pass and then take a practical test on an A1 category motorcycle, this gives you category "A1" on your licence.

19: Maximum allowed is a "Medium" motorcycle, no more than 35kW (47bhp) with a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW/kg and you can only restrict motorcycles that have <=90bhp stock.

For this, if you take it directly (at age 19 with no prior motorcycle experience) you need to take a theory test and a practical test. If you take it through staged access you must have been riding an A1 motorcycle for a MINIMUM of two years, then you can take another practical test on an A2 motorcycle to get the "A2" category on your licence.

21: Maximum allowed is a motorcycle, no limit to power, no limit to capacity or power-to-weight ratio. For this, you have to have had an A2-category licence for a MINIMUM of two years and then take a further practical test on a category A motorcycle. This gives you the "A" category on your licence, after which there are no more tests.

24: Maximum allowed is a motorcycle, no limit to power, no limit to capacity or power-to-weight ratio. You have to be 24 to take your DAS now instead of 21, this instantly gives you a category "A" licence, no restrictions or minimum licence periods. For this you need to take a theory and a practical test on a category "A" motorcycle.

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However, I am not sure a decision has actually been made as to whether this country will be going for the minimum amount of training or another test option yet, the Gov.uk website says practical test, so I am going with that. Also, "A1" also allows you to ride motor tricycles (trikes) up to 15kW (20bhp) and "A" motor tricycles (trikes) of any power.

Also, it's unclear whether you can take your "A1" test at 17 on the same CBT you took at 16 for category "AM" or whether you have to re-take it on a 125cc motorcycle. Not sure on that.

To put it simply, it's 16, ride a moped for a year, 17, take a theory+practical and ride a slow 125cc for two years, 19, take a practical and ride around on a 47bhp motorcycle for two years, 21, take another practical test and (finally) be unrestricted for the Progressive Access system. However, you can come in at any point in the chain and just take that test.

Another issue I am unsure about is whether, for example, you take your A1 category test at age 18 and then turn 19 a few months later, can you then take your A2 category licence test? According to the Gov.uk website it says "Two years experience on an A1 motorcycle" for progressive access but for Direct Access it just says a theory + practical, so if you were to take it, you'd have to re-take your theory test even though you already took one for your A1 category test?

It's all a bit wibbly-wobbly and I can't see many new riders making much sense of it to begin with, may well put a lot of people off actually.

Anyway, as Roger said, the DfT supposedly rejected the training route and the Gov.uk website says "Practical Test" for each category, even under progressive access, so I think you'll be taking a lot of practical tests Stalk.

Lastly, my info in this post may well be wrong, if it is, post and I will correct it, but I am pretty sure I got it right.

Cheers! .

EDIT: After doing a bit more searching/reading, it seems the DSA have decided to go with the practical test between categories instead of compulsory training, from what I gather when reading various websites about this, same as they decided to have no unaccompanied "Learner" riding for the A2/A category, however, does this mean you can still ride on 'L' plates at 17 on a 125cc with just your provisional "A1" category entitlement? Not a clue. Like I said, it's all so vague! !
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[TheSmiler]

[cyclops12]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CVZP0VzIj_4
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[Rogerborg]