Eurocrats and driving licences
Discussion
To my surprise I actually agree with these measures because they are just intended to stop drivers banned in another country applying for a licence here. As long as the bit I've marked in bold stays the current state of affairs then I'll be reasonably happy - unfortunately it won't of course.
Bad news for super bike lovers wanting licences though.
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2106713,00.html
Drivers across Europe to face same tests
From Anthony Browne in Brussels
New rules will end 'licence shopping' by banned drivers and co-ordinate testing for everything from mopeds to lorries
MOTORISTS banned from driving in the UK will no longer be able to apply for a licence anywhere else in Europe under the first fully harmonised EU driving licence, which was agreed yesterday.
The licence, aimed at ending so-called “licence shopping”, will also impose increased safety restrictions on lorry and bus drivers and motorcyclists, making it more difficult for them to gain and keep their licences.
The change co-ordinates for the first time the testing and licensing requirements for all drivers of anything from mopeds to lorries across all 25 member states. Brussels insists that it will improve road safety, combat fraud and make it easier for traffic police to enforce the law.
National authorities will cross-check databases when issuing a licence to weed out those motorists banned in their home countries. There has been growing concern that they were applying for a licence abroad for use at home.
However, governments will not have the right to remove licences issued by other states; for example the French Government will not have the right permanently to remove licences from British holidaymakers.
EU countries do not recognise each others’ legal systems, so one state cannot impose penalty points on a licence issued by another. The only exception for British drivers is in Ireland, where a new bilateral agreement gives the Irish authorities the right to add penalty points to the licences of UK drivers, or to ban them permanently.
The British Government objected to the legislation after the motorcycle industry said that it would have a devastating impact, but all other member states voted in favour.
The licence raises from 21 to 24 the age at which people can pass a test to drive the most powerful motorcycles. It introduces strict age limits for less powerful bikes and a test each time a rider moves up the scale, requiring up to three tests.
At present, riders face one test, but must then accumulate experience before riding more powerful machines. The Department for Transport believes experience, not age, is most important for safety. After being out-voted in Brussels, Stephen Ladyman, the Transport Minister, said that the new motorcycle rules were “unnecessary, overly rigid and won’t add anything to road safety, which is why we objected.
“These changes won’t give us any benefits over existing arrangements,” he said. “People will find their access to motorbikes will be much more restricted and the motorbike industry will suffer. It’s negative, but we have no choice but to make the best of it.”
There are about a million motorcycles in the UK and about 100,000 people apply for motorcycle licences each year, with a pass rate of 65 per cent. Trevor Magner, of the British Motorcyclists’ Federation, said the new rules would “have an extreme and devastating effect on the take-up of motorbiking. The more bureaucracy and restrictions there are, the fewer people will take it up.
“It will do nothing for motorcycling safety — there will be fewer motorcycling deaths simply because no one will be riding them.”
Under the rules, which must be introduced within six years, bus and lorry drivers under the age of 45 must renew their licence and declare that their health is good every five years rather than every ten.
Jacques Barrot, the European Commissioner for Transport, said: “The European driving licence is of vital importance for road safety.”
THE NEW LICENCE
Changes for the UK
Age limit for being allowed direct access to largest motorcycles raised from 21 to 24
Tests introduced each time people under 24 move up to a more powerful motorcycle
Bus and lorry drivers under 45 will have to renew licence every five years rather than every ten, and declare they are in good health
People banned from driving in one EU country automatically prevented from getting a new licence in other EU countries
Bad news for super bike lovers wanting licences though.
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2106713,00.html
Drivers across Europe to face same tests
From Anthony Browne in Brussels
New rules will end 'licence shopping' by banned drivers and co-ordinate testing for everything from mopeds to lorries
MOTORISTS banned from driving in the UK will no longer be able to apply for a licence anywhere else in Europe under the first fully harmonised EU driving licence, which was agreed yesterday.
The licence, aimed at ending so-called “licence shopping”, will also impose increased safety restrictions on lorry and bus drivers and motorcyclists, making it more difficult for them to gain and keep their licences.
The change co-ordinates for the first time the testing and licensing requirements for all drivers of anything from mopeds to lorries across all 25 member states. Brussels insists that it will improve road safety, combat fraud and make it easier for traffic police to enforce the law.
National authorities will cross-check databases when issuing a licence to weed out those motorists banned in their home countries. There has been growing concern that they were applying for a licence abroad for use at home.
However, governments will not have the right to remove licences issued by other states; for example the French Government will not have the right permanently to remove licences from British holidaymakers.
EU countries do not recognise each others’ legal systems, so one state cannot impose penalty points on a licence issued by another. The only exception for British drivers is in Ireland, where a new bilateral agreement gives the Irish authorities the right to add penalty points to the licences of UK drivers, or to ban them permanently.
The British Government objected to the legislation after the motorcycle industry said that it would have a devastating impact, but all other member states voted in favour.
The licence raises from 21 to 24 the age at which people can pass a test to drive the most powerful motorcycles. It introduces strict age limits for less powerful bikes and a test each time a rider moves up the scale, requiring up to three tests.
At present, riders face one test, but must then accumulate experience before riding more powerful machines. The Department for Transport believes experience, not age, is most important for safety. After being out-voted in Brussels, Stephen Ladyman, the Transport Minister, said that the new motorcycle rules were “unnecessary, overly rigid and won’t add anything to road safety, which is why we objected.
“These changes won’t give us any benefits over existing arrangements,” he said. “People will find their access to motorbikes will be much more restricted and the motorbike industry will suffer. It’s negative, but we have no choice but to make the best of it.”
There are about a million motorcycles in the UK and about 100,000 people apply for motorcycle licences each year, with a pass rate of 65 per cent. Trevor Magner, of the British Motorcyclists’ Federation, said the new rules would “have an extreme and devastating effect on the take-up of motorbiking. The more bureaucracy and restrictions there are, the fewer people will take it up.
“It will do nothing for motorcycling safety — there will be fewer motorcycling deaths simply because no one will be riding them.”
Under the rules, which must be introduced within six years, bus and lorry drivers under the age of 45 must renew their licence and declare that their health is good every five years rather than every ten.
Jacques Barrot, the European Commissioner for Transport, said: “The European driving licence is of vital importance for road safety.”
THE NEW LICENCE
Changes for the UK
Age limit for being allowed direct access to largest motorcycles raised from 21 to 24
Tests introduced each time people under 24 move up to a more powerful motorcycle
Bus and lorry drivers under 45 will have to renew licence every five years rather than every ten, and declare they are in good health
People banned from driving in one EU country automatically prevented from getting a new licence in other EU countries
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