Proposals to Improve Motorcycle and Moped Training

A new consultation has been launched by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) looking at improving moped and motorcycle training. The suggested changes aim to reduce the number of accidents involving motorcycle and moped riders by increasing the amount of preparation received by new riders.

Motorcycle claims are one of our three core specialisms, and we witness first-hand how vulnerable bikers are as road users. Despite only accounting for around 1% of road users, they account a huge 21% of deaths or serious injuries on Britain’s road network.

The consultation will look at improving motorcycle training; currently, the compulsory basic training (CBT) course is taken before starting to ride a moped or motorcycle on the road. The purpose of the training is to ensure riders can ride safely before they begin practicing on the road for their full license test. The consultation propose improvements to the systems such as revoking CBT certificates for riders who receive 6 penalty points, the addition of a theory test during or prior to completing the CBT course, and restricting riders who pass their CBT course on an automatic motorcycle to only riding automatics.

The suggested improvements to the training provided will ensure they are fully prepared for the realities of riding on the road, and the risks involved. The consultation also looks at the DVSA’s considerations for changes and improvements to instructors and training schools. These would improve the way instructors become qualified to provide motorcycle training and increase the checks carried out by the DVSA on training schools.

Claire Trainor-Hayes is a solicitor within our motorcycle accident department and spoke about how she feels it is a necessity to improve the standards of training motorcycles riders receive.

Motorbike riders sometimes don’t know how vulnerable they are on the road when they first start riding, and providing more thorough and intensive training will hopefully help riders be better prepared for riding on the roads and the dangers that can come with it.

You can read full consultation and proposal here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-moped-and-motorcycle-training/improving-moped-and-motorcycle-training