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 camcam Trackday Trickster

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| carlnicholson... |
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 carlnicholson... World Chat Champion

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| Mr.Everready |
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 Mr.Everready World Chat Champion

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| WildGoose |
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 WildGoose White Van Man

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| carlnicholson... |
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 carlnicholson... World Chat Champion

Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Karma :  
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 Posted: 12:20 - 28 Mar 2006 Post subject: |
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On the DVLA site, the catagory for a three wheeled vehicle is B1.
https://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/vehicle_cat_desc.htm#3%20or%204%20wheeled%20light%20vehicles
So, if your licence has this, then you can ride, if it doesn't, then you can't.
I don't know what prompted the changes in 2002, but the new rules also prohibit the use of a motorcycle based three wheeler being used in the test, as the examiner must be seated in the front of the vehicle!
*EDIT* I type FAR too slow! ____________________ "THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING." |
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| Mr.Everready |
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 Mr.Everready World Chat Champion

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 Posted: 12:21 - 28 Mar 2006 Post subject: |
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Is A Trike Classed As A Motorcycle Or A Motorcar?
Now this is where it gets complicated. In this section, we will deal with vehicle classification, driving licence groups, MOT testing classes, and vehicle excise licence. These four different categories, when used in conjunction with each other, help determine what type of trike you've got, or are thinking of buying/building, and indeed, whether you are actually licensed to ride it or not. Please note that you will see several weights and figures which, logically speaking, should be the same in different categories, but they aren't. Don't despair, these figures *are* correct, as we ... er, asked a policeman. We’ll start with vehicle classification :-
Vehicle Classification
A mechanically propelled vehicle that is used, adapted or intended for use on the road, is classified under a series of groups according to its use, weight and design. A trike can be in a number of classifications, and depending on which one it's in, makes for some pretty fundamental differences when applying road traffic law. The groups are as follows ...
1. Invalid carriage - Not exceeding 254 kg - Designed for sole use by the disabled. [1]
2. Motorcycle - Not exceeding 410kg - Not more than three wheels.
Recently, the DVLA have started to split this category for trikes that fall into it. The word "Tricycle", or phrase "3-Wheeled Tricycle" [Doh!], is more likely to appear on your vehicle registration documents, rather than "Bicycle" as has been used in the past. Maybe someone showed them the third wheel, eh?
3.Motorcar - Not exceeding 3050kg - Passenger carrying with no more than 7 seats excluding the driver.
[1] If a trike was built solely for a disabled person, and was adapted as such, it could be classified as an invalid carriage. It would be prohibited from using a motorway, would require only a "K" driving licence group, and would be excluded from road tax if under 10cwt unladen weight.
What your trike is classified as, will denote which driving licence you will require, and what vehicle excise licence your trike will require.
Now, we'll move onto :-
Driving Licence Groups
So, now you've worked out what your trike is classified as, you need to make sure that you are licensed to drive the vehicle. Unfortunately, licence groups don't match vehicle classifications exactly, so here we go ...
1. Motorcycle - New licence holders are limited to 25kw/33bhp for the first two years of their licence, unless they take the large motorcycle test (Direct Access). Less than 410kg unladen weight.
2. Motor vehicle - Not exceeding 3500kg, and not more than 8 seats excluding the driver; basically the "car" group. The entitlement to drive a vehicle not exceeding 7.5tonnes, for those who passed a test prior to 1/1/97, is covered under group "C1".
3. Quadracycle (licence group B1) - 3 or 4 wheel motor vehicles not exceeding 550kg unladen weight, but exceeding 50kmph and 50cc. This is a relatively unknown group that brings the UK more in line with Europe. If these type of vehicles exceed 550kg, they then fall into the motor vehicle group.
If you've passed a full motorcycle test, you will have group "B1" on your licence, although if you haven't passed a car test, you won’t have group "B". This creates a bit of an anomaly as your motorcycle can't exceed 410kg, but you could ride a trike up to 550kg, because of your "B1" entitlement. This is worth knowing, as there are quite a few riders who limit themselves to a trike under 410kg without realising.
Changes to B1 Entitlement.
Before October 2000, a person who passed a motorcycle test was granted a full sub-category B1 licence (lightweight car, motor quadricycle, motor tricycle) as an additional entitlement with the full A (motorcycle) licence.
The Driving Standards Agency, in their 'Safer Motorcycling' consultation, proposed that in future successful motorcycle test candidates would be issued with a provisional rather than a full B1 licence. 49 of the 57 consultees who commented on the issue were in favour of this proposal, including safety, police and training interests.
There were representations against from companies selling lightweight cars, the National Trike Register and MAG UK, suggesting that riders might want to use their licence to ride tricycles. There were suggestions that separate licence categories should be introduced, but changes to motor vehicle licence categories would require a change to EU law.
Ministers decided to implement the proposal, which affected very few motorcyclists as over 90% held a full car licence (which continues to give full sub-category B1 entitlement). Nor did it affect anybody already holding a full motorcycle licence, who retained full B1 entitlement.
The changes were implemented during October 2000. What the above did mean though is that if you didn't have a full car or bike licence before October 2000 and wish to either trike your bike or buy one you will now have to apply for a provisional car licence and if you wish to carry passengers then pass the test. This is very unfair as a car driver with no experience of bikes can get straight onto certain types of trike, with passengers, and ride away. Also if you're forced onto a trike due to a disability or a smash you'll have to apply for a provisional car licence even though you've been riding bikes for years!
You can ride a trike on a provisional car licence, ie. with "L" plates, but you must be 17 ( or 16 if you are getting Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate for the mobility component ) and the trike must have only one seat; the rider's seat. If you do wish to carry passengers, your trike can have extra seats, but you must carry a qualified bike or car licence holder with you at all times; this is also dependant, of course, on which sort of trike your accompanying full licence holder is qualified to ride. ____________________ the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section |
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 camcam Trackday Trickster

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 carlnicholson... World Chat Champion

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 camcam Trackday Trickster

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 WildGoose White Van Man

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 carlnicholson... World Chat Champion

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 WildGoose White Van Man

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 Posted: 13:27 - 28 Mar 2006 Post subject: |
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did my bike test 2002, it came back with cat A
did my car test 2005, it came back with Cat A, B1 and B
oh and F, K and P
which is agricultural tractors, mowing machines (or vehicle controlled by a pedestrian) and mopeds  ____________________ So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976 |
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 syl World Chat Champion

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| Mr.Everready |
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 Mr.Everready World Chat Champion

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 Posted: 13:33 - 28 Mar 2006 Post subject: |
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No mine doesn't mention B1 either but does have B and BE but as has been said you are covered if B is on it.
PS Im passed my car test in 1987.  ____________________ the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section |
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 WildGoose White Van Man

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 syl World Chat Champion

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 carlnicholson... World Chat Champion

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 Posted: 15:02 - 28 Mar 2006 Post subject: |
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My head hurts.
See you all later.  ____________________ "THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING." |
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 WildGoose White Van Man

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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

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 Posted: 22:14 - 28 Mar 2006 Post subject: |
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There is a point, because when I did my full bike licence, you got B1 on it. If I hadn't done my car test, i would still have been allowed to ride a trike.
It was only ever the BASIC model Robin that you could drive on a bike licence. They were very borderline with regard to weight, to the extent that dealers had to weigh the chassis and engines to make up an extra lightweight one for bikers. More modern ones would be far too heavy.
By the way, it is a Reliant Robin, not a Robin Reliant. The company is Reliant, the model is a Robin. Reliant made various other cars too. You don't go out for a drive in your Vectra Vauxhall. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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| Johnny GSX-R |
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 Johnny GSX-R World Chat Champion

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 syl World Chat Champion

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 Posted: 00:19 - 29 Mar 2006 Post subject: |
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| WildGoose wrote: | | Quote: | So how many "light" B1 vehicles weigh more than 3500kg and as such aren't also covered by the B category? |
err, ones that weigh less than 550kg with 3-4 wheels as stipulated in that link under category B1 |
This has been done before by trike and bike sites (dealers and hire sites). I would imagine their legal departments have looked in detail at the statute books before issuing that advice when selling/hiring the machines.
| Quote: | Changes to B1 Entitlement.
Before October 2000, a person who passed a motorcycle test was granted a full sub-category B1 licence (lightweight car, motor quadricycle, motor tricycle) as an additional entitlement with the full A (motorcycle) licence. The Driving Standards Agency, in their 'Safer Motorcycling' consultation, proposed that in future successful motorcycle test candidates would be issued with a provisional rather than a full B1 licence. 49 of the 57 consultees who commented on the issue were in favour of this proposal, including safety, police and training interests. There were representations against from companies selling lightweight cars, the National Trike Register and MAG UK, suggesting that riders might want to use their licence to ride tricycles. There were suggestions that separate licence categories should be introduced, but changes to motor vehicle licence categories would require a change to EU law. Ministers decided to implement the proposal, which affected very few motorcyclists as over 90% held a full car licence (which continues to give full sub-category B1 entitlement). Nor did it affect anybody already holding a full motorcycle licence, who retained full B1 entitlement. The changes were implemented during October 2000. What the above did mean though is that if you didn't have a full car or bike licence before October 2000 and wish to either trike your bike or buy one you will now have to apply for a provisional car licence and if you wish to carry passengers then pass the test. This is very unfair as a car driver with no experience of bikes can get straight onto certain types of trike, with passengers, and ride away. Also if you're forced onto a trike due to a disability or a smash you'll have to apply for a provisional car licence even though you've been riding bikes for years! |
| Quote: | Q: What is a Quadricycle?
A: Under EEC Directive 92/61/EC (superseded to 2002/24/EC) a new vehicle category was created. Quadricycles are defined as having a maximum unladen mass of 400 Kg and with a maximum power of 15KW. Quadzilla® machines are specifically designed and manufactured to meet the above legislation.
Q: What licence is needed to drive a road legal Quadricycle or Buggy?
A: A full UK car licence, or a full Motorcycle Licence if granted before Feb 2001. The actual category required is B1. |
| Quote: | DRIVING LICENCE REQUIREMENTS
For the 3 Wheeled QPOD City Elec
C.B.T. (Compulsory Basic Training) from 16 years of age.
Full Motorcycle Licence from 17 years of age.
Full Car Driving Licence from 17 years of age.
For the 4 Wheeled QPODs regardless of engine size
Full Car Driving Licence |
| Quote: | Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How fast can they go?
Answer: Up to 50 MPH
Question: Do I need a driving licence?
Answer: YES. You need the category B1 on your licence or have a full car driving licence category B
Question: Can I drive a buggy on a motorcycle licence?
Answer: yes, only if you have the category B1 on your full motorcycle licence (not all motorcycle licences have the B1 category) |
| WildGoose wrote: | having said ALL that, im not sure i can work out the point of the category if you need a B to obtain it |
You don't. You got it with your old motorcycle licence and you can take a test in its own right (you need a provisional B licence to take the B1 test). ____________________ Current bike: Kawasaki Z750S |
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 c-m World Chat Champion
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| kawakid |
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 kawakid World Chat Champion

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 Posted: 23:52 - 12 May 2006 Post subject: |
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Yeah my wife can drive 3 wheelers, she passed her car test 2 years ago.
I passed car test 17 years ago (ie when I was 17, back then they just gave em away. ), but bike test in 2005. Now I can drive vans & mini bussesand god knows what on my license (she can't but she does have the 3 wheeler, whereas I don't). ____________________ I've a twin and a 4. |
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| TOM M |
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 TOM M World Chat Champion

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 Posted: 00:03 - 13 May 2006 Post subject: |
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On my license B1 has a pic of a lorry  ____________________ Now owner of a 1200 Bandit |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 19 years, 235 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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