Motorcycle Test Review seminar

Publications

Summary

Around 160 -170 trainers from around 80 Approved Training Bodies, attended the Motorcycle Test Review Seminar on the 6th July.

The main issues that came out during the seminar arising from comments made and questions asked, and from the subsequent written questions, were concerns about accessibility of the test and the suggested timescales. There was also concerns about safety if certain elements of the test that are currently carried out off-road were moved on-road but there was overall support for a single event test.

Safety

A research contract was let to the Transport Research Laboratory in July 2011. Phase 1 of the research will involve holding independent trials with test level candidates to verify standards, suitability and safety of the proposed new manoeuvres, using mock road layouts at off road sites. Some of the new manoeuvres are different from those in the current module1 test and have been designed to be suitable for on-road as well as off-road sites. Phase 2 of the research, which will follow later, will take place on the road and will identify the criteria for suitable on-road sites and determine the requirements for the safe conduct of the test on-road, so that candidates are not put at unnecessary risk.

Accessibility

One of the main aims of the test review is to improve accessibility. The key to this is the ability to conduct a single event test on-road. Assuming that the research finds that the test can be carried out safely on-road and suitable roads are identified, then it may be possible to provide tests in gap areas that are currently not served by an off-road MPTC. We are considering new manoeuvres that can be performed in an equivalent way either on-road or off-road and there may be a mixed approach by maintaining the current MMAs and supplementing accessibility by a fully on-road test in those areas that are not currently well served, at least for a transitional period; but the content of the test will be the same for all candidates, wherever it is taken.

In the meantime, to try and minimise the distance that some learner riders have to travel for their module1 tests, DSA are using casual sites and shared VOSA sites to try and minimise any service gaps. They are also continuing to look at introducing further casual site arrangements, in the areas most affected.

Timetable

We are moving as quickly as we can to deliver a more accessible test but we need to be sure that any changes we make really do deliver improvements. We don’t want to rush into changes that might not work in practice.

The timetable presented at the seminar suggested bringing in the new manoeuvres and a single event test during Winter 2012/13. The research needed to establish the safety and practicality of the new manoeuvres, will take place in autumn 2011 (Phase 1) and spring 2012 (Phase 2). There will also need to be a public consultation on the proposed changes, which we plan to hold mid 2012 in the light of the findings of the Phase 2 research.

Subject to the outcome of the consultation, we will then need to make new legislation to implement the new test, which is likely to take until at least autumn 2012. So Winter 2012/13 is the earliest possible time for implementation of the new test. We would expect to introduce a single event test and the new maneouvres in all test locations at this time.

The new manoeuvres would initially be provided in on-road locations, only in gap areas that are not well served by the off-road test centres but those off-road test centres would still be used where available. This will be a transition period, as the new manoeuvres are monitored to ensure their safety in practice. The manoeuvres would then be transferred from off-road test centres to on-road locations, as suitable sites are identified in each test location around the country. This will take place over a period of time, while suitable sites are identified in every test location in all parts of the country, before the transition to on-road testing in all areas is complete. There would need to be on-going dialogue with stakeholders over this process and review of the initial implementation to ensure any issues are resolved.