Piaggio MP3 or similar - bike licence needed or not?

[Phil C]

A colleague of mine has just bought one of these three wheel scooter things for commuting. He doesn't have a bike licence and so dutifully did his CBT and adorned it with L plates. He's contacted his insurance company who have told him they class it as a 'trike' and therefore he is OK to ride without L plates etc. He queried this and being an old sod (well, over 40, like me) sent a copy of his paper licence to the insurance company. They duly wrote back and said they have checked everything out and stick by their earlier statement that he's licenced for it without L plates (as it's a trike) and that's how they are insuring him. Original letter, signed and on headed paper.

All of which is not much use when he gets pulled on the M/Way by the BiB and collects 3 points for no L plates and another 3 for being on a M/Way 'illegally'.

Anyone know the true legal situation?

Thanks

[Ruttager]

If the insurance company says thats what it is, then I would believe them. They don't get things like that wrong.

I wouldn't want to ride one on the motorway though a 125 tops out between 60-70 so youre going to be battling (and loosing) against lorries and HGVs in the inside lane - not much fun

[randlemarcus]

Sometimes they do get things wrong...
As far as I recall from looking at this a while ago, they are assuming its coming under the B1 class that he'll have on his licence. This assumes a three or four wheel vehicle under 550kg, which in theory the MP3 is.
However, technically, the front wheels, being less than 460mm apart are actually one wheel, and the MP3 is Type Approved as a two wheeled vehicle.

Its a bike, and bike legislation applies, i.e. helmets, L-Plates, CBTs etc etc. Frame the letter though, its quite rare you'll persuade an insurance company to put piffle in writing

[Brite spark]

Ruttager said:

If the insurance company says thats what it is, then I would believe them. They don't get things like that wrong.

oh yes they do...

125cc can be ridden on a car licence with a valid cbt if the car test was passed before feb 2001


http://www.piaggio-center.co.uk/faq.php
larger machines require full bike licence

What licence do I need?
MOPED (50cc/ 30MPH MAX)

Age 16 or more with either a provisional licence and CBT, or Full PRE 2001 Car licence (CBT only required if test passed after 2001) or a Full Bike licence.

LEARNER LEGAL 125 (125CC/ 14BHP MAX)

Aged 17 or more with Provisional licence and CBT or full Bike licence only.

OVER 125CC

Full Bike licence only.

Please refer to DVLA website for exact details, as this is a quick reference (But accurate) guide for most riders.

PLEASE NOTE, THE MP3 AND FUOCO ARE CONSIDERED AS MOTORCYCLES AND THE SAME RULES APPLY!
[Top]




http://www.isanet.co.uk/write%20up%20gilera%20fucc...

"Now for what maybe a bombshell. We at Midland Scooter Centre have commissioned an engineering company to make spaces for the wheels at the front, which allows the scooter to be registed as a tricycle. This means the MP3 and Fuoco can be ridden on a car licence with no CBT or Bike Test!"

Edited by Brite spark on Wednesday 20th August 19:01

[odyssey2200]

I would suggest a letter that starts

Dear Mr Piaggio UK customer relations,



also

What does it say on the V5?

Edited by odyssey2200 on Wednesday 20th August 18:57

[Ruttager]

I was presuming it was the 125.

I wonder what would happen to the insured and his insurance if it turned out to be completely wrong. i.e he has the 250 version yet his insurance says he can ride it with just a CBT and a normal licence?

Anyway, we all know the easiest solution... get a bike license

[cyberface]

Getting 6 points in one hit is a bit of a pain in the arse if the insurance company and the seller of the bike originally gave incorrect information.

I guess legally he hasn't got a leg to stand on because he should know the law regarding the matter, but I'd reckon compensation could be claimed in the civil courts for misleading information to the detriment of the customer. The Piaggio website does emphasise the fact that the machine is legally a bike though...

I wonder whether the insurance company will now hike his premium since he's now got 6 points and is therefore a higher risk???

[randlemarcus]

Cyberface, this(thankfully) is still theoretical.

Seriously OP, tell your mate not to ride a 125 on the motorway, notto ride without L plates, and FFS if he has a 500 not to ride it all all

[sprinter885]

Surely the dealer has the definitive answer to it??

[Phil C]

My colleague spoke to the DVLA. After about 30 mins on the phone it seems it's his personal licence entitlements which make the difference here and not the bike classification (which according to the DVLA is clear cut - definitely a scooter and hence you need a full bike licence to ride above 125 etc).

But on the licence front, because he took his car test prior to 1982, then he is entitled to ride the MP3 (it's a 125 BTW), without L plates, and on the motorway. My mate was insistent and apparently the individual concerned even went away to check his driving licence number etc to make sure. Bizarre?!! And no, he definitely hasn't taken a full bike test years ago.

So, finally there is some advantage to being over 40.....