How will the new (=stupid) licensing regs work?

[Shielder]

Okay, as you know, I passed my A2 test last week, so I'm just counting down the days (only 725 to go) until I can get a 'proper' bike (something made by Triumph hopefully).

Now, I read on here that there's this '3rd directive' coming in that will restrict A2 to under 500cc A1 to 125 and have other restrictions.

What are they and will they affect me retrospectively or not?

My sister-in-law's partner is plodding around on his Marauder on a CBT, but wants to do his license eventually. So I'd like to give him some info if I can.

Thanks

Andy
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CBT - 22/10/08 & 30/5/11, Theory - 13/06/11, Mod 1 - 26/9/11, Mod 2 - 29/9/11
'00 Suzuki Intruder VL 125 (06/06/09 - now)

[Benson_JV]

Search function will bring up a multitude of threads.
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Willson - "If you go out on that CBR600 in the winter, you're going to do more miles on your side than on your wheels."
Riding: CBR600FW Driving: Audi A6
Previous Bikes: '96 Bandit 600, '96 GPz305

[felicity]

If you don't know what they are, how do you know they're stupid?

[sidewinder]

As long as you pass your tests before the new rules come in.you will not be affected by the changes.So Shielder you ride your 33bhp till your 2yrs are up then big time.But why not buy one now nd get it restricted?

[Rogerborg]

[Paulington]

This is how it will work:

16:

You will be able to ride a moped after a CBT, however it will be restricted to 28mph instead of the current 31mph.

17:

You will be able to take a test + theory which will allow you to get the A1 motorcycle category which allows you to ride bikes up to 125cc and 14.6bhp.

19:

At 19 you are able to take a test which (combined with 7 hours of training) will allow you to progress to the A2 licence which allows you to ride motorcycles up to 47bhp/35kW BUT you can only restrict motorcycles of 90bhp or less, so you could not buy a GSX-R600 and restrict it down, for example.

Also, you can only take your A2 test + training after TWO YEARS riding on an A1 licence. It cannot be done any sooner, minimum of two years between the tests.

21:

At 21 you are able to take a test which (combined with another 7 hours training) will allow you to progress to your A licence, which allows you to ride anything, you have an unrestricted licence.

Also, you can only take your A test + training after TWO YEARS riding on an A2 licence. It cannot be done any sooner, minimum of two years between the tests.

This test may not be done if you have been riding on an A2 for two years, it may just require some training and minor assessment, they have yet to decide.

24:

Direct access, take a test (on and off road, like all motorcycle tests) and will get an A licence and be unrestricted.

This is fairly easy to understand, it basically goes...

CBT --> A1 -- Two years later --> A2 -- Two years later --> A.

This means that you cannot possibly ride a motorcycle bigger than 125cc until you are 19 and means that to go from CBT --> Unrestricted licence will take a MINIMUM of four years if you don't turn 24 within those four years.

I must point out, however, that this is ALL subject to change but I think they have their heart set on this layout. It will annoy a lot of people I think.

As above, pass your test NOW and it will not affect you, so get working on it! !

Cheers!
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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.

[EazyDuz]

in other words, everyone do your tests asap, even if that means riding in poo flavoured rain, thats what im doin anyway (not the rain part)

[Rogerborg]

The following comments based on the DfT's response to their 2010 consultation, which is the last we've heard on it. Sadly, it appears to have been retconned including from "archived content", so I'm doing this from fragile meat-memory. for anyone who can actually find the response summary.

[N cee thirty]

how come its coming down to 28mph for mopeds ?

i will take great enjoyment overtaking them on my tractor ;D
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[mysterious_rider]

When is this supposed to be coming into effect then.

[Rogerborg]

The European definition of a moped (L1e vehicle) has technically been 45kph since 2002/24/EC. The UK has retained our own C&U and licensing regs up to now.

The 3rd Directive uses the 45kph definition from 2002/24/EC in the new AM license category. It'll be interesting to see if Plod picks up on Operation Pedboi Swoop after the 3rd Directive kicks in.

The Directive (supposedly) goes live on 19th January 2013. The UK government was supposed to have published our implementation of it by 19th January 2011.

[UPDATE]
Ruh roh, raggy. I may very well have mis-spoken above. On a careful reading of 2006/126/EC, I can indeed find no provision for "direct access" to A2.

There is DAS to A at 24, but on a re-reading, it does look as though sitting an A2 test can only be done 2 years after passing A1, there's no age at which that requirement is removed.

Sorry, Paulington, I think you had that one right.

So when you start biking at any age under 24, a 125 is your only option, and will be for a full 2 years after you pass A1 (or you hit 24). That's far worse than I thought, although it will at least push yoofs to actually pass A1 rather than tooling around on L plates.

We really, really, really need to see how the DfT are planning to implement this.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Ellis]

Can I ask im 27, does that mean I have until jan 2013 to take my test on my 125 to ride restricted for 2 years?. if so I will need to pass next year defiantly!.

[Rogerborg]

[Ellis]

Ok thankyou.

[Paulington]

[blurredman]

[hedgehugger]