Motorcycle Driving Test

Mr. Evennett
20. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the introduction of the new motorcycle driving test; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has designed a new practical motorcycling test to accommodate the improved test and new European requirements. The Agency has developed 38 multi-purpose test centres from which the new test could be delivered and has trained its examiner staff to conduct the new test.

However, in response to concerns raised by the motorcycle training industry about the number of test venues available and the distance that some test candidates would have to travel, the introduction of the new motorcycling test has been deferred until the end of March 2009.

In partnership with motorcycling stakeholder groups DSA is currently developing further proposals for delivery of the test and hopes shortly to be in a position to consult widely on them.