It was quite a long old day, and quite a lot to take in at the seminar today. Lee and I (and about another 150 delegates) attended the seminar in the hope of better understanding what is going to happen to the bike test over the coming months/years. Mike Penning MP gave us his reassurance that he is working on our behalf to try a sort out the shambles that is the Module 1&2 tests at the moment. The general feeling is that it will eventually become a single element test again, with the manoeuvres all being carried out on the road. However, the DSA is fully aware that this is a difficult task, being as one of the manoeuvres is the 'evasion test'. Part of the consultation will be about how best (safest) these manoeuvres can be carried out. From our point of view, going back to a single test can only be a good thing. It means a return to local testing (potentially Trowbridge), and courses culminating in one test instead of two split up tests.
One thing that is of concern is the EU 3rd Directive. This is where access to an unrestricted licence will become far more complicated and costly if you're under the age of 24. The minimum age for Direct Access will rise to 24, with the minimum bike size rising to 600cc. 'Progressive Access' is unlikely to be catered for by many Approved Training Bodies (ATB's). It would mean buying 400cc bikes purely to cater for an age group between 21 and 24. If you want to understand more, you need to Google 'EU 3rd Directive Motorcycles'. It is long winded, and involves quite a few changes.
We're not opposed to change, but it has to be for the right reasons, and I don't believe this is.
As regards the single element test, don't expect anything to happen anytime soon. The timescale we've been given is a gradual fazing in around 2013-2015.
The DSA couldn't find their arse with both hands... >