3 wheeler on a car licence
Discussion
I understand that the licence requirement to drive a three wheel vehicle on the road changed from January the first this year. What I am not clear on is how it will effect someone with a car licence, held for many years.
At the moment, as I see it, I can drive a three wheeler, on my car licence, not sure if it needs a reverse, on the road. This I don't think will change, grandfathers rights and all that. Am I correct in thinking that?
What I was surprised at, as I see it, is this change will mean that anyone passing their car test now will not be able to drive the likes of the Morgan three wheeler on the road.
Why for Christ's sake?
At the moment, as I see it, I can drive a three wheeler, on my car licence, not sure if it needs a reverse, on the road. This I don't think will change, grandfathers rights and all that. Am I correct in thinking that?
What I was surprised at, as I see it, is this change will mean that anyone passing their car test now will not be able to drive the likes of the Morgan three wheeler on the road.
Why for Christ's sake?
The change came into effect 19/1/13. They used to be covered by a car licence, but are now classed as motorcycles.
If you got a full car licence prior to 19/1/13, it still acts as a full licence to driver 3 wheelers. However, drivers passing their car test on or after 19/1/13 will not be covered to drive 3 wheelers, as it now comes under the motorcycle test.
The big oversight is that if you are a new driver who wants to drive a 3 wheeler, you can't take a 3 wheeler test, as none exists. You must pass a motorcycle test. And be 21. Even if the 3 wheeler you wish to drive is a car like vehicle, like a Reliant Robin.
If you got a full car licence prior to 19/1/13, it still acts as a full licence to driver 3 wheelers. However, drivers passing their car test on or after 19/1/13 will not be covered to drive 3 wheelers, as it now comes under the motorcycle test.
The big oversight is that if you are a new driver who wants to drive a 3 wheeler, you can't take a 3 wheeler test, as none exists. You must pass a motorcycle test. And be 21. Even if the 3 wheeler you wish to drive is a car like vehicle, like a Reliant Robin.
gareth_r said:
Apparently the first Morgan Cars heard about the change was when a customer told them.
Perhaps, I spotted this August 2012 and very widely flung off emails to the Morgan community and posted it in a Morgan forum and on Pistonheads.gareth_r said:
Another case of DVLA/VOSA/whatever they are called this week blindly following the EU (or using EU legislation for their own ends, depending on your point of view).
Actually, DVLA and VOSA are blameless here. Their hands are firmly tied by UK legislation and our membership of the EU. You could blame MPs, or perhaps anyone who voted in the 70s referendum to stay in.The fact some countries seem to regard a European Directive as optional is another matter. They are supposed to be compulsory.
As originally written the directive is reasonable, all the monkeying about with three wheelers was put in in the committee stages, and thus it isn't logged who the idiot was who changed it.
I'm pretty well an official pest as regards this law and known to DVLC and several MPs. There is a little hope a fourth directive would restore sense, but that won't happen for a few years yet.
Edited by Slidingpillar on Wednesday 2nd September 20:08
Edited by Slidingpillar on Wednesday 2nd September 20:09
Slidingpillar said:
The fact some countries seem to regard a European Directive as optional is another matter. They are supposed to be compulsory.
More to do with enforcement than an option on the directive? Take food hygiene. European directives are clear. Countries have enacted the law.
Enforcement agencies policing it? Less so.
Vaud said:
More to do with enforcement than an option on the directive?
Take food hygiene. European directives are clear. Countries have enacted the law.
Enforcement agencies policing it? Less so.
Can't argue with that. Take food hygiene. European directives are clear. Countries have enacted the law.
Enforcement agencies policing it? Less so.
This is only valid in the UK (so don't expect it to work on holiday), but we have exercised the derogation that allows any passer of a car driving test after 19 January 2013 who is aged 21 and over to drive a trike. Fact remains though, until that date, insuring a new driver to drive an old Morgan three wheeler was pretty cheap. So not considered a daft risk by the insurance companies.
Edited by Slidingpillar on Wednesday 2nd September 22:54
TwigtheWonderkid said:
The big oversight is that if you are a new driver who wants to drive a 3 wheeler, you can't take a 3 wheeler test, as none exists. You must pass a motorcycle test. And be 21. Even if the 3 wheeler you wish to drive is a car like vehicle, like a Reliant Robin.
Does this mean that you are able to take the full motorcycle test driving a three wheeled vehicle?browse said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
The big oversight is that if you are a new driver who wants to drive a 3 wheeler, you can't take a 3 wheeler test, as none exists. You must pass a motorcycle test. And be 21. Even if the 3 wheeler you wish to drive is a car like vehicle, like a Reliant Robin.
Does this mean that you are able to take the full motorcycle test driving a three wheeled vehicle?Utterly bonkers.
As far as I know, there is one circumstance where the test authority have to do a driving test for a three wheeler. I am however unaware of anyone doing this.
The person would need to be unable to ride a motorbike by virtue of disability, over 21, and not have a car licence (and probably would have to declare no intention of getting one either).
The test itself I believe would be an adaptation of a motor bike test, and I've got no idea where or if a CBT fits into this.
The person would need to be unable to ride a motorbike by virtue of disability, over 21, and not have a car licence (and probably would have to declare no intention of getting one either).
The test itself I believe would be an adaptation of a motor bike test, and I've got no idea where or if a CBT fits into this.
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