2008 New test looms closer - and still no test centres!

[Kwackerz]

From Septermber 2008 the current Practical Motorcycle Test is being replaced by a much tougher two part test, which will include an eight minute test of machine control on a special test centre facility.

This new bike test is the product of colaberations from Brussels where there are mixed feelings to the welcome of the vast new project

DSA have designed the test so huge new super centres needs to be built to accommodate a speeding 125cc machine that has to reach 50Kph before swerving and breaking. So far DSA have only earmarked 15 centres for the entire country, leaving most of the population to have to suffer a 100 mile round trip or more, and to have to worry how on earth they are going to pay for the test fees that will need to cover the half a billion pound spend. there currently are over 60 test centres for motorcyclists.

Riders will need to:

ü Wheel the bike backwards

ü Perform a figure of eight

ü Perform a 50Kph at speed corner

ü Perform a 50 Kph Swerve

ü Perform a 50 Kph Emergency braking exercise

ü Perform a slow riding

If the candidate fails any of these off road elements they will not be able to go on to the "riding on road" section. Thus loosing their test fee and needing to rebook and pay for an instructor, bike hire and test fee.

We anticipate a big rush of worried customers, desperate to get their test before the law changes next year.

Sadly the DSA are not increasing examiners for the run up – but will in fact be taking lots of duty to retrain them for the small amount of new test centres there will be.

Our advice – get your test now, or get it over the winter. Finding a test next summer may rather be like finding hens teeth or MEPs with a small expense account

Quoted from:

www.camrider.com

[Gio]

Riders will need to:

ü Wheel the bike backwards

ü Perform a figure of eight

ü Perform a 50Kph at speed corner

ü Perform a 50 Kph Swerve

ü Perform a 50 Kph Emergency braking exercise

ü Perform a slow riding

I had to do all of those on my CBT, so whats different?

[Samray]

I have great difficulty in taking that kind of statement seriously with it's multitude of speeling mistooks.

[Gio]

None were mine I'm pleased to say

[Kwackerz]

Nor mine.

ü Perform a 50Kph at speed corner

ü Perform a 50 Kph Swerve

ü Perform a 50 Kph Emergency braking exercise

I note with interest the lack of 'Miles per Hour'

More Tea, Führer ?

[D-Rider]

European requirement - aparently our Government didn't really want it.

Main difference seems to be fewer approved test centres to demonstrate basic stunt riding skills! .... oh, and more cost.

[TC]

Instructors were told about the changes way back in 1999/2000, so the DSA certainly knew and were making all sorts of noises about having new sites in place by around 2005.

95% of instructors didn't want the new rules introduced, but the DSA did as it meant more money for them

But as usual, nothing is in place, nothing is ready.

[Gio]

Will there be a market for selling licences?

Seems its happening a lot with foreign cage drivers.