Manky Monkey Motors

New Motorcycle Test (3rd European Directive) & Trikes

There have been lots of enquiries on this subject so I thought I’d better clarify the situation to avoid any more wrong information being circulated.

As of January 19th 2013 the new ‘staged’ licensing system comes into affect.
(I will do a more involved report on how it affects motorcycle tests later).
How will it affect trikes?

As of January 19th 2013 Trikes will become part of the Motorcycle licence category. (Currently they come within the Car Category).

For people with existing full car licenses prior to January 19th 2013, nothing changes. (New licensing rules cannot be backdated).

After January 19th 2013 only people with disabilities will be permitted to take a test on a trike.
(This dispensation is greatly due to consultations between the NABD and the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) including the submission of a very detailed report by the NABD Chairman relating to the use of trikes and sidecar outfits by disabled people).

For disabled people wishing to take a test on a trike after January 19th 3013 they will have to take a CBT (slightly amended to suit trikes). They will also have to do the motorcycle theory test and the practical tests (Mod 1 test is also slightly adapted to suit trikes; i.e. less cones and no avoidance manoeuvre etc.)

A disabled person taking a test on a trike will qualify for a licence restricted to trikes. It will not qualify them to ride solo motorcycles or drive cars.

Able-bodied people who don’t hold a full car licence prior to January 19th 2013 will have to pass a motorcycle test, on a motorcycle, before they can ride a trike. (Those who already hold a motorcycle licence will by default be able to ride trikes).

Able-bodied people who are currently riding trikes on L-Plates must successfully pass a test before January 19th 2013.
After that date they can only ride a trike if they successfully pass a motorcycle test on a motorcycle first.

As far as I and the DSA are aware there is no change to the dispensation that allows disabled people to use a motorcycle and sidecar combination to take a motorcycle test, though this would also result in a licence restricted to motorcycles fitted with sidecars.

Rick Hulse
NABD Chairman

The following is from the NABD chairman, I thought it might be helpful for new trikers.
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please can somebody ,,clarifiey,, r simplefiey tih (sorry about my spelling) this as it seams that riders that have passed their test recently may have problems aswell as others
OK I KNOW  i maybe not making alot of sense but these days i struggle to say what i mean ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,some body should pickup where i,m coming from

looks like it means a new bike licence entitles you to drive a reliant again then , something they stopped in 2002

please can somebody ,,clarifiey,, r simplefiey tih (sorry about my spelling) this as it seams that riders that have passed their test recently may have problems aswell as others
OK I KNOW  i maybe not making alot of sense but these days i struggle to say what i mean ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,some body should pickup where i,m coming from

Don't know about that, depends whether they are classing a Reliant as a trike or a three wheeled car!  This post was specifically about trikes.

Originally posted by digger06  ;
a reliant was never a 3 wheeled car, its a trike

body plan saloon CAR trikes have handle bars kinda gives it away 

body plan saloon CAR trikes have handle bars kinda gives it away  

it's actually good news for a lot of bikers, affordable out of the weather motoring can be got again,,