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03/07/2012
New EU Driving Rules To Improve Road Safety
A raft of new EU legislation is coming into force with the aim of improving road safety.
Motorcyclists, bus drivers, lorry drivers and driving instructors are among those who will be affected.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood confirmed the changes will come in from January 19 2013, including raising the age limit for riding large motorbikes without previous experience and increasing the youngest age most people can get a bus driver’s licence from 21 to 24.
They will also introduce new qualification for driving examiners, and periodic quality assurance checks.
Mr Attwood said: "These changes will help to ensure that new motorcyclists gain the right skills and experience before riding bigger bikes. They will also raise standards for professional bus and lorry drivers, and further improve the professionalism of driving examiners."
Under the new rules there will be changes to the licensing categories for motorcycles, including the introduction of a new medium-sized category. Access to more powerful bikes will be staged subject to competence, age and previous experience, and riders learning on them will need to be accompanied by an approved motorcycle instructor at all times on public roads.
The minimum age for riding the largest bikes without previous experience will rise to 24. Currently you may ride any size of bike two years after passing a motorcycle test on a small bike, and that can apply to riders as young as 19.
For car drivers, the combined weight of a towing vehicle and trailer will be restricted to a maximum of 3,500 kg.
Enhanced licence security features will also be introduced in order to help combat fraud.
For more details see here.
(NE/GK)
Motorcyclists, bus drivers, lorry drivers and driving instructors are among those who will be affected.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood confirmed the changes will come in from January 19 2013, including raising the age limit for riding large motorbikes without previous experience and increasing the youngest age most people can get a bus driver’s licence from 21 to 24.
They will also introduce new qualification for driving examiners, and periodic quality assurance checks.
Mr Attwood said: "These changes will help to ensure that new motorcyclists gain the right skills and experience before riding bigger bikes. They will also raise standards for professional bus and lorry drivers, and further improve the professionalism of driving examiners."
Under the new rules there will be changes to the licensing categories for motorcycles, including the introduction of a new medium-sized category. Access to more powerful bikes will be staged subject to competence, age and previous experience, and riders learning on them will need to be accompanied by an approved motorcycle instructor at all times on public roads.
The minimum age for riding the largest bikes without previous experience will rise to 24. Currently you may ride any size of bike two years after passing a motorcycle test on a small bike, and that can apply to riders as young as 19.
For car drivers, the combined weight of a towing vehicle and trailer will be restricted to a maximum of 3,500 kg.
Enhanced licence security features will also be introduced in order to help combat fraud.
For more details see here.
(NE/GK)
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