Euro threat put on hold

Euro licence rules which threaten the future of motorcycling have been put on hold by the EU Council of Ministers.

But we’re not out of the woods yet, warns the BMF. The threat of the Third Driving Licence Directive remains, it says.

Read the full story in MCN – out on December 7, 2005.

The Directive is designed to ‘improve the free movement of EU citizens by ensuring and facilitating mutual recognition of all licences, reducing the possibilities for fraud and increase road safety’. But it also includes more hurdles to leap over before you land a motorcycle driving licence. (see links, right, for details)

Monday’s meeting of the EU Transport, Telecommuncations and Energy Council, chaired by UK Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling, cited the fact that Germany, Austria, France, Poland and Denmark, had reservations, particularly over the exchange of old national licences for the new ones. It was therefore decided that the Austrian Presidency, which starts on January 1, 2006 would be left to seek agreement.

The BMF’s Trevor Magner said: “The new licencing regime will decimate the future of motorcycling. The directive cannot now proceed to a second reading until a Common Position is achieved so the deferred decision on Monday buys us valuable time.”

The BMF is asking all motorcyclists to play their part by writing to their MPs and MEPs. A draft letter and contact details for MPs and MEPs will be available soon on the BMF website.

In the meantime click here for contact details for your MEP.

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