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3rd Driving Licence Directive
In May I attended a stakeholder event regarding the implementation of the directive in 2013.
The event was intended to “kick off” a process of informal discussions over a period of 15 to 18 months before a formal consultation on options on implementing the directive in the UK.
The event was split into three sessions, an overview with questions and answers, “Break Out” Groups, - Motorcycles and Mopeds – Cars and Light Vans – Licence Security and Entitlements – Driving Examiner Qualifications and Training and a closing session of a summary of the issues raised in the break out groups.
Although the first session was chaired by a Helen Morris from the Driver and Vehicle Licence Operators (DVO) and attended by Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Department of Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA),Fred Hackman from the Department of Transport (DfT) appeared to be leading the discussion.
Attending from the European Commission was Alexander Von Campenhausen.
I was able to ask a question during the first session outlining MAG UK’s concerns and although receiving, in my opinion some defensive answers, the Commission representative, on the issue of assessment or testing between licencing categories, commented that the Commission was not concerned on what format the training or “instruction” took. However, as discussed later in the second section workshop the stakeholders made it clear that the training for testing or assessments should be of a certain standard.
Also worrying was the Commission’s representative comment that the power of bigger motorcycles made them more dangerous.
The second session within the break out group on Motorcycling and Mopeds naturally raised more questions that answers.
Suggestions from the Motorcycle and Training Industry where made on two routes to take.
Either to implement the Directive in the UK starting in the Stepped Access regime of AM at 16 years and A1 Licence Light Motorcycle at 16 years. Although still raising the present UK access to an A2 licence to 18years and not the present 17years.
Or if a rider takes the direct access to A1 or A2 this would qualify the rider for a “provisional” licence for the next category. E.g. Take an A1 licence test the rider could ride an A2 category motorcycle. Provisional licence would mean that the rider could not take a passenger.
This was seen as complementing the commissions stepped access regime, giving young riders an incentive to move through the categories to a full A licence.
It was commented that only a 100 people take a full moped test in the UK and that in today’s traffic riding a moped can be “risky” because of their small size and power.
Letting young riders have access to slightly larger machines would be an advantage, with the correct training, bearing in mind that riders in the UK must take a Compulsory Basic Training Course (CBT) (practical test) before further training or testing.
The UK will be reviewing its CBT for a more comprehensive course which perhaps include a better understanding of the Highway Code.
Comment was made that the Highway Code should be “taught” in schools before young people are the age to ride /drive a vehicle.
The DSA who will lead on the implementation of the Directive would be looking for training/assessment between the licence categories and NOT a test. As the requirements in the directive are for a minimum of 7 hours the DSA would look for a specific training course perhaps over a two day period.
Regarding the minimum test vehicles that driving schools would have to use the motorcycle and training industry raised concerns as the directive as it stands would suggest that the training schools would have to equip (buy) a new fleet of motorcycles.
The reply was that annex regarding this and the commitology process would not take place until 2009.
From my understanding the two industries would like to see a simple change on the engine sizes (CC) to reflect current models available.
With the complexities of the directive regarding vehicles and riders outside the “common” range of the directive questions were raised on disabled access to the implementation of the directive including testing required in the 2nd Licence Directive, categories and testing for Trikes – Quads.
It was commented that the implementation of the directive in 2013 and thus the understanding by the general public of what licence they require for what vehicle will not be easy, never mind law enforcement agencies (police).
MAG UK flow chart on Licence categories is still available http://tinyurl.com/fjzel pdf
Trevor Baird
Public Affairs MAG UK
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