MCIA, NMC and NMDA submit joint motorcycle licensing reform proposal

A joint proposal has been submitted by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) and National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) in response to the government’s consultation on improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing.

Earlier this year the government revealed a consultation with reforms to motorcycle training and licensing a possibility within it. The review was put in place to assess the current motorcycle licensing framework, recognising the risk faced by riders and the potential role motorcycles could play in tackling congestion and supporting net zero ambitions.

According to the consultation, which has now closed, in 2024, motorcyclists represented 21 per cent of fatalities and 20 per cent of serious injuries despite accounting for only 1 per cent of traffic on British roads.

And while the joint proposal from the MCIA, NMC and NMDA supports many of the consultation’s proposals, including areas such as improving instructor qualifications, offering progressive access training, and the inclusion of theory and hazard perception when undergoing a CBT, all three bodies are calling for more rider safety while warning against making “the system more restrictive or costly to navigate”.

The MCIA, NMC and NMDA says “the consultation lacks the necessary scope if we are to see [a] reform which will make much needed changes to the current regime – ones which will lead to much greater safety, social and mobility benefits.”

The wider reform proposal wants to see an incentivised “progression pathway from CBT through to full licence", a review of the current two-part motorcycle testing structure, including a return to a single-event full test, regulated access pathways for low-speed electric vehicles, and wider changes concerning the full L-Category sector.

Speaking about the joint proposal, MCIA CEO, Tony Campbell, said: 

“This consultation represents a significant opportunity to modernise the current licensing system that, over the years, has become increasingly complex, expensive and has failed to improve road safety.  

“Whilst improving road safety must remain central to any reform, changes to the licensing system must also encourage and support accessibility and affordability. Currently, gaining a licence under existing rules is financially out of reach for many.

“Reform must not create additional barriers as this will only push riders towards illegal and unregulated alternatives which is already evident in towns and cities across the country.

“[The] Government’s objective must be to develop a licensing, training and testing framework that produces better-trained riders leading to improved safety, [and to] encourage progression through the various licence categories whilst positively supporting how people can move and travel in today’s society.”  

‍NMC Executive Director, Craig Carey-Clinch, added: 

“After decades of positive progress on motorcycle safety, the current regime, introduced between 2009 and 2013 has been implicated in an increase in rider fatalities and the stalling of safety progress in other areas since then. The proposed reforms are very welcome, but the scope of the review needs to be much broader if we are to see the restart of meaningful improvements in motorcycle safety.

“Recognition of the role of the testing, training and licensing regime plays in broader mobility choice will also assist efforts of the motorcycle and road safety sectors to reduce illegal riding and lead towards the creation of a Safe System for motorcycle use. We call on the Government to not waste this opportunity.”

Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com