The Transport Committee has published its review of the new European motorcycle test and revealed what we all already new.
Launching the report, Transport Select Committee Chair, Louise Ellman MP said, “many candidates and trainers now have to travel too far for their motorcycle test. This adds to the cost , and in some cases, exposes candidates to fast and dangerous roads on the way to a test site — before they have even taken their test. The Driving Standards Agency needs to give much greater priority to customer service and convenience for test candidates and trainers.”
In its report, MPs conclude that the Driving Standards Agency was slow and dogmatic in its approach to test centres, failing to listen adequately to the motorcycle industry. Smaller test sites could have been retained, saving millions of pounds. No other country in Europe has found it necessary to build ‘super test sites’.
So now this mess is in the public forum, will it get sorted out? I wonder!
Ride safe
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Showing posts with label motorcycle test. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motorcycle test. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Motorcycle sector need to respond to the DSA consultation
Both the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) and the RMI Motorcycle Retailers Association (MRA) have joined together to push motorcycle manufacturers, retailers and trainers to respond to the consultation on proposals for the new motorcycle test outlined by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
The DSA is putting forward a modular test whereby the off-road and on-road elements of the test will be taken separately, but the consultation also includes proposed test fee increases!
Full details of the DSA proposals can be found at http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=594. Responses can be submitted on-line or in writing to The Driving Standards Agency, The Axis Building, 112 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6LP. Comments on the proposals must be submitted by January 9, 2009.
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
The DSA is putting forward a modular test whereby the off-road and on-road elements of the test will be taken separately, but the consultation also includes proposed test fee increases!
Full details of the DSA proposals can be found at http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=594. Responses can be submitted on-line or in writing to The Driving Standards Agency, The Axis Building, 112 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6LP. Comments on the proposals must be submitted by January 9, 2009.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Saturday, August 9, 2008
New motorcycle test shambles continues!
The RMI's Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA) is asking that the new motorcycle test now be delayed until 2009.
The DSA's target was to have 66 new motorcyce test centres ready by the 29 September but only 38 are operational plus 14 temporary sites.
Commenting on this situation, MRTA Chairman Kevin Bryan said; ‘This is making it impossible for rider training companies to plan ahead and is already affecting business. With many trainees choosing ‘intensive’ courses with a test at the conclusion, the fact is that we can’t sell such courses as we have no way of knowing what tests will be available or where after 29 September. There are seemingly no test slots available anywhere in the country before 29 September excepting cancellations and no ability to plan business beyond that point. The situation naturally affects current trainees and every member of the public looking to take their motorcycle test.'
Bryan adds: ‘The whole motorcycle sector could be damaged by the current test situation. The DSA must act to protect the industry, and the interests of its customers, who will also suffer.’
The MRTA has again written to the Transport Minister to ask for the test to be deferred and will be meeting senior Department for Transport officials shortly to address the issue.
So lets hope common sense prevails and the new motorcycle test is delayed, otherwise it will be another major blow to motorcycling in the UK!!
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
The DSA's target was to have 66 new motorcyce test centres ready by the 29 September but only 38 are operational plus 14 temporary sites.
Commenting on this situation, MRTA Chairman Kevin Bryan said; ‘This is making it impossible for rider training companies to plan ahead and is already affecting business. With many trainees choosing ‘intensive’ courses with a test at the conclusion, the fact is that we can’t sell such courses as we have no way of knowing what tests will be available or where after 29 September. There are seemingly no test slots available anywhere in the country before 29 September excepting cancellations and no ability to plan business beyond that point. The situation naturally affects current trainees and every member of the public looking to take their motorcycle test.'
Bryan adds: ‘The whole motorcycle sector could be damaged by the current test situation. The DSA must act to protect the industry, and the interests of its customers, who will also suffer.’
The MRTA has again written to the Transport Minister to ask for the test to be deferred and will be meeting senior Department for Transport officials shortly to address the issue.
So lets hope common sense prevails and the new motorcycle test is delayed, otherwise it will be another major blow to motorcycling in the UK!!
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The new style motorcycle test is coming soon!
The Second European Driving Licence Directive (2DLD) will comes into force in September 2008 and introduces many new elements to the motorcycle test.
These including slalom, figure of eight, hazard avoidance and cornering skills, which will all be tested during the new off road test which will be held at one of 60 new super test centres.
Motorcycle rider trainers will get their first opportunity to try out the new bike test for themselves on Sunday (1 July 2007) as the Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA) puts on a special trial event.
MRTA / DSA test day
MRTA Event Day
Sunday 1 July 2007
Britannia Stadium
Stanley Matthews Way
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 4EG
10am – 4pm
FREE ENTRY
To read more about this free trial day read the MRTA press releases on www.inter-bike.co.uk by clicking here.
Ride safe!
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
These including slalom, figure of eight, hazard avoidance and cornering skills, which will all be tested during the new off road test which will be held at one of 60 new super test centres.
Motorcycle rider trainers will get their first opportunity to try out the new bike test for themselves on Sunday (1 July 2007) as the Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA) puts on a special trial event.
MRTA / DSA test day
MRTA Event Day
Sunday 1 July 2007
Britannia Stadium
Stanley Matthews Way
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 4EG
10am – 4pm
FREE ENTRY
To read more about this free trial day read the MRTA press releases on www.inter-bike.co.uk by clicking here.
Ride safe!
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
