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What does the 24th April 2009 Motorcycle Test mean to me?

1/. In late 2008 and early 2009 motorcycle training schools will be very, very busy with the high demand from people trying to pass their motorcycle test before the law changes. You will need to book early to avoid missing the deadline.

2/. After the new test is introduced there will be the following implications:

• You will almost certainly have to travel further to get to a new Multi Purpose Test Centre (MPTC). At the time of writing the DSA acknowledge that 60% of people are not within a sensible distance of a MPTC. The nearest MPTC's for Reading and Oxford are Enfield, Hertfordshire and Gloucester, Gloucestershire. To see the full list go to www.dsa.gov.uk/mptc and note that when you are there that they only have four working centres with less than a year to go!
• The cost of the test fee has gone up to £80.00 to pay for the cost of the new MPTC's.
• The cost of the training to pass the new test will go up as more time will be needed to prepare for the new off road manoeuvres.
• The cost of the CBT will go up as training schools attempt to offset the lack of demand for full licence training which currently produces more than 50% of their revenue.
• Although the demand may drop for full licence training the waiting list for a motorcycle test will probably increase for three reasons, firstly the huge drop in test centres, secondly the DSA having difficulties in having enough motorcycle examiners at each MPTC, and thirdly physical limitations on how many tests can be run at each test centre.
• The variation and number of training schools will diminish as the new legislation will put many out of business. The 1997 Direct Access Scheme effectively put the largest training school in the country out of business inside 3 years.
• Training accidents and their severity will increase as a consequence of being asked to do higher speed manoeuvres. The seriousness of an injury increases almost exponentially with speed. Accidents during the off road part of a test will potentially impact of the tests that follow it.

This doesn't sound very good - what can I do?

The short sighted and ill-conceived decision to introduce the new test has already been taken, as well as much of the money spent. So it is unlikely that the whole concept will be shelved. However, the current proposals are up against a time limit - the legislation from the EU must be in place by October 2008 at the latest (or so we were told!). If the DSA does not meet this deadline then almost certainly sanctions or fines will follow. This deadline, which the DSA has known about for years, means that the DSA are proposing to roll out the new test, even though 60% of the public are too far away from a MPTC and a great many issues have not been addressed, for the sake of political expediency.

This is the key issue and one which we, the training schools, and you, the public, need to lobby the government, MP's and the DSA. The DSA must ensure that all the angles are looked at and that there is an availability of MPTC's that suits the public and does not potentially tear apart the training school industry. Please feel free to contact Rosemary Thew, the DSA Chief Executive with your questions and concerns at CEO.Correspondence@dsa.gsi.gov.uk .
 
A delay to the test will not put anybody’s lives at risk, while it’s early introduction may well mean people ride without training or a licence in which case lives may well be lost. Remember this 24th April 2009 deadline is compliance for compliances sake and for no other reason.