A private member's bill being debated in the House of Commons could have a massive impact on enthusiast motoring in the UK.
The bill is currently aimed at two wheeled transport, but it doesn’t take much to imagine it being quietly targeted at cars later on.
The Off-Road Registrations Bill was proposed originally by the MP Graham Stringer as a means to deal with nuisance mini-moto riders. Local constituents had complained about hoards of motocycle riding youths riding illegally across private land.
Although no one is arguing that this isn’t a problem that should be tackled, the proposed solution is incredibly heavy handed. The thinking is that if every mini-moto was registered with the DVLA and wore a number plate the offenders could be traced and prosecuted. Whether these offenders would therefore choose to register their bikes is an entirely different matter.
However, the DVLA has confirmed that to gain a licence plate, every bike would have to conform to the Road Traffic Act -- with no exceptions. In simple terms, this would mean that every bike, from track day machines, racing bikes and hill climbers to custom bikes; from last year’s ex-Rossi GP bike to 100 year old museum pieces would need to be road registered. As it would be impossible for the majority of these bikes to meet these requirements, under law they would be liable for confiscation and destruction. The motorcycle racing industry in this country would be wiped out at a stroke.
The bill has gained a worrying amount of momentum so far in the debating process - with Tony Blair said to be a supporter – although at present the Minister of Transport is said to be opposed to it. Imagine what it would do to track day and race cars in this country if it were applied to four-wheeled transport.
Some useful links, including a government petition can be found below.
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