THE European Union wants to make the motorcycle test more difficult to do, and take much of the tuition and testing of candidates off the public highway.
Because some 50 new regional bike test centres are going to have to be built for the new system to begin, in Autumn 2008, the government is proposing a whopping 32 per cent increase in the cost of motorcycle test fees.
The Driving Standards Agency, who organise the bike test – both theory and practical – have recently announced that the cost of the theory test will rise to about £28 next year, from around £21 at present. The practical test will also probably see a big hike in fees in 2007.
Motorcycle industry groups have slammed the fee increases of course, but there’s little chance of the government reconsidering. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made it more expensive to get a motorcycle licence than a car licence in the future, as it’s fairly obvious the EU wants to deter as many younger riders as possible from taking to two wheels, in order to reduce the accident figures as rapidly as possible.
My advice is simple – if you’re thinking of taking the motorcycle test, then get it booked and passed this winter if you can.
If you delay until next summer, you may well find that the cost of getting on the road has risen and existing test centres are booked solid with people trying to beat the 2008 new rules deadline.
What do you think? Have your say.
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