UK bikers have their say on potential licence structure reforms being considered by Government

The Department for Transport (DfT) have confirmed they are considering changes to the UK’s current three-tier motorcycle licence structure, first introduced in early 2013.

The comments were made by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP during a late January meeting with the Motorcycle Strategy Group in London.

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“The government is considering plans to review existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing and licensing,” a spokesperson for the DfT confirmed following the meeting.

“We want to take account of the long-standing plans in DfT and DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), and recent information/proposals that we’ve had from the sector.”

Lilian Greenwood also stated that road safety remained a personal priority for UK transport, however any reforms eventually arriving would not focus solely on this topic and would instead also work to meet incoming decarbonisation targets, too.

• Related: 2023 calls for motorcycle licence structure reform

Although it’s not yet clear what, when, or if anything will actually change, we’ve been inundated with responses to the news.

In a snap poll released online 67% of respondents said they would be in favour of changes, however that feeling doesn’t look to be shared by everyone. To find out more, we invited MCN readers to speak on the subject and have their say on the future.

MCN readers have their say

Nikki Gray, 47, March

I took my bike test about six years ago. The instructor only had two types of bike and at 5ft 4in the only one I could get my feet down enough on was for A2 tests. I’m on an A2 licence as a result, but there’s no way I’m taking my test again on a more powerful bike as it was so expensive! Restricting the power for the first two years is sensible, but then it should be lifted automatically, as before.

Will Hughes, 25, Southampton

I think the idea of a phased license is still a great one safety wise. I passed my A2 licence at 21 during Covid and rode a restricted 650 for two years with no problems. The fact that I had to pay an additional £500-£600 to upgrade that licence with a day of training, whilst riding the same 650 engine unrestricted (which didn’t even feel that different) was ridiculous, as I could have failed the tests and ridden my bike the next day. I think the age brackets should upgrade after two years with something like a one-day refresher.

Danny Coldwell, 20, Reading

When I was 16, I paid over £150 to get my full AM (moped) licence so I could carry a pillion, and then at age 17, I spent over £250 (for the Mod 1, and two Mod 2 attempts). At 20 I had to pay it all over again but way higher because you can’t train by yourself, and I had to retake the Mod 2. Both times I had to retake due to ‘undue hesitation’ which I feel is subjective as it was the same person who failed me for it twice and I went to a different centre both times and passed.

Roy Dennis, 57, Bedfordshire

At the tender age of 50 I went through the current system. As a car licence holder of 33 years, the theory test was an improvement on 1985. Lots more questions. Simple to navigate on the PC. However, I found the hazard perception to be more of a video game rather than a serious test of skill. Younger me would have been frustrated with having the additional stages of an A2 licence. Not that limiting new riders to a smaller cc motorcycle is a problem – but I am sure a 20-year-old with three years A2 experience would have far more skills than 50-year-old direct access me!

Nick Fennelly, 31, Bedfordshire

I decided I wanted to get a motorcycle for commuting and was a year too young to do DAS so had to settle for A2. The process was easy enough, but where the system really falls down is when I decided some years later to go for the full A licence. I had been riding almost daily, for six years. I went back to a motorcycle school, and with a tiny amount of refresher training I breezed through. I had to spend an additional £700 and miss four days of work to re-demonstrate all the skills I had already proven I could do on my A2 tests – just on a slightly more powerful bike.

Karl Otto, 64, Cardiff

I passed my test in February 1978, two months after buying my first 250 on my 17th birthday. In 47 years I’ve only had one serious accident, through over exuberance and stupidity and broke my ulna and radius in my right arm. I’m still riding at 64 on a mixture of bikes. I’d like to see the test simplified to encourage youngsters onto two wheels, as I was. My wife and two children all passed on the two-part test, like yourself, just before the changes. Hopefully a review makes life easier rather than further discouraging people to join the diminishing ranks of us two wheeled riders.

Ian Bowles, 56, Marsworth

I passed my test in 1986 and went from 125cc to unlimited. Although I was lucky back then, I do think with the current system is better. Bikes are extremely powerful these day, with many new riders being older men and women, who have no previous experience. As great as getting a bike is the current tier system is good in ways. I always thought everyone who wants a car or bike should have to spend three to six months on a moped. They would learn some road sense, possibly.

Kevin Bartlett, 61, Bishop’s Stortford

I was lucky enough to pass my bike test long before these tier laws came in. At 17 years and two months old I went from a moped to a Kawasaki Z1000 overnight and to me at the time it was the best feeling in the world. I understand the need for road sense so to speak but I could have as easily come a cropper on a 400cc bike as on a 1000cc bike. I would actually argue that having the ability to power out of situations was a blessing on the odd occasion. It is not the size of the engine but the attitude of the rider that counts.

Andrew Bacon, 61, Manchester

I took a direct access course, and I have to say I was very surprised at how difficult the process was. I was so very nervous all the way through but I honestly believe that It Is necessary. I see riders that passed their test way back when and have been riding for decades and I wonder how they have ever survived this long. The roads are very dangerous, and the courses today don’t just teach you to ride a powerful machine but more Importantly teach you danger awareness. I am absolutely 100% sure that I would not be as competent as I am If I had passed and got my licence before the current system came into force.