Using a 3 wheeler for test?

[unident]

Hello everyone.

I’m thinking about getting my bike licence and was wondering if I could get away with using one of those three wheel bikes that have been around for a few years. I’m asking because I fancy one for my commute, but having almost bought one I found out I couldn’t use my car licence to ride it like I thought I could for trikes. Some sort of rules about the front wheels needing to be further apart.

So it got me thinking. If it’s still classed as a bike legally could I do my test on it? I had a go at the CBT years back (about 5 I think) and was crap at the fiddly turns and stuff so this would make it loads easier.

More of a thought than a definite at the moment though.

[Zarco]

Sounds like cheating to me.

[MillenniumFalcon]

Assuming it complies with the type of test your taking (such as A) in regards to engine size and output, I would assume you could do your test on one. I'm basing that on the Yamaha Niken - Don't know if the Piaggo MP3 is geared or not which might affect the test category you can take.

Think the problem would be finding a riding school that uses them, otherwise your into the issues of finding ways to get the bike to and from the school/test center.

I think the Piaggio 400LT was the model that could be ridden on a car license, if you could find a second hand one. That said, it sounds like you never got the cbt, so I would recommend some professional training no matter what route you take.

Edited by MillenniumFalcon on Wednesday 22 January 20:36

[stuartmmcfc]

I was interested in the answer to this so I goggled it
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q504.htm
If I understand it right, unless you’re disabled the answers no.

Happy to be corrected.

[MillenniumFalcon]

stuartmmcfc said:

I was interested in the answer to this so I goggled it
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q504.htm
If I understand it right, unless you’re disabled the answers no.

Happy to be corrected.

No, I think your correct looking at that.

Looks like the OP's only option is the LT, providing they passed before 19/1/2013

[Inspire]

Having worked for what was then the Driving Standards Agency, your best bet is to ring the DVSA and ask them.. Details below:

DVSA driving test booking support
Telephone: [phone]

[unident]

Thanks for the answers. Looks like the link tells me it’s not an option. Back to two wheel options then.

I did get my CBT years ago, but it’s long since expired, I was just saying that I was crap at the fiddly stuff.

[Dakkon]

unident said:

Thanks for the answers. Looks like the link tells me it’s not an option. Back to two wheel options then.

I did get my CBT years ago, but it’s long since expired, I was just saying that I was crap at the fiddly stuff.

It's just practice, rather than an intensive weeks course, I did my lessons on over a series of Saturday mornings till I was test ready.

You will also have to re-do your theory as well as your CBT.

[unident]

Seems like quite a hassle to do all that, but I’ll probably get off my lazy ass and do it at some point. Not sure I’ll ever find myself riding round in circles when I pass, much like I never really blast out a tune on a recorder or need to rely on calculus for my bills

[Zebrs]

I think this is a grey area, and maybe not as clear cut as that article suggests. It makes reference to tricycles, but from the point around the need for helmet there is a distinction between a 3 wheeler with a wheel distance of >460mm and those that are less. So more and you don’t need a helmet. Nikens are cat A and less than 460mm so you need a helmet.

This article seems to confirm that point:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-vie...

Stating: ‘’Etymologically speaking, the NIKEN isn’t a motorbike because ‘bike’ is a contraction of bicycle, itself derived from bi- and cycle; ‘bi’ meaning two. So, if we’re being pedantic, the NIKEN is a motortrike, not a motorbike. But it’s still a motorcycle.

And it is legally, too – the front wheels aren’t far enough apart (410mm) to be classed as a three-wheeler; you still need a bike licence and you still need a helmet. You can park in motorcycle bays and go on motorcycle track days.’’

So, back to the police article, if it’s not officially recognised as a tricycle, I think could could do your test on it.

Quite whether you’d really want to is another thing - I don’t think it’s a good idea to exploit a potential loophole, when the tests are designed to assess your capability of riding a 2 wheeled bike (among other elements) with all the gravitational and control issues that do not concern something like the Niken. Your chances of finding a bike school with them are zero so the only chance would be to buy your own and convince the school to let you use it, including needing to be ‘picked up’ by your instructor for lessons.

Just do it the way the rest of us did

[Ed.]

It is a bit odd, the above police link makes no mention of the 460mm rule.
Neither does this link specifically about the piaggio mp3:
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q900.htm
The change in regulations is from the beginning of 2013 but this visor down review from June 2013 says its still possible with a car licence.
https://www.visordown.com/reviews/first-ride/piagg...

Could they have retro actively reclassified 3 wheel vehicles?

[Sway]

There are (soon to be) two that can be driven on a cwr licence.

The current Piaggio MP3 range (they dropped the two widths a few years ago), and the soon to be released Yamaha Tricity 300.

It's not just the width of the front wheels - there also needs to be a mechanism to keep the bike upright without putting feet down when stationary, and a foot brake (and connected to both front and rear).

Niken/Tricity 125,etc. are classed as bikes, as they don't meet all of the criteria - Niken certainly has wheels far enough apart.

I started the CBT/Direct Access route late last year - I have a fairly long commute, and want to cut both time and costs compared to my current drive.

The Piaggio was the frontrunner, until I actually went and saw one. Wasn't impressed for the cash. So got my CBT - and was about to book DA when Yamaha announced the bigger Tricity.

I'm just waiting to get info from the dealers as Yam inform them, and will be getting one of the first tranche...

Having seen the Tmax it's based on, it's perfect for me.