‘Thousands of learners could have to pass test twice’

Thousands of learner motorcyclists could have to take a controversial riding test twice despite passing the first time, riding instructors have warned.

They are also likely to be charged twice as a result of changes to the motorcycle test.
At the moment the practical riding test consists of two exams, one off-road and one on.

But from 2013 the two are due to be combined into a single on-road test, including the exercises currently in the off-road exam.

When that happens, learners who have passed only the off-road test will effectively have to take it again as part of their on-road exam.    

They are likely to be charged a new higher price for the on-road test reflecting the extra exercises, even though they have already paid for and passed them.

Bernard Adams, MD of Cam Rider training, said up to 6000 learners could be affected because many learners take the off-road test and then leave a gap before doing the on-road part. 

He said: “You could be looking at 10% of annual tests. That’s 4000-6000 people possibly.”

A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport denied a significant number of learners would have to perform the exercises twice.

She said: “We don’t have any evidence of vast numbers of people waiting before doing the second part of their test.

“We will take every reasonable step to let people know the new test is coming in, so that if they have a Module One pass they will know they have to take Module Two before a certain date.”   

She said the test was due to change in early 2013.  

Adams said: “My concern is that at every step of the way, more costs are getting placed on the learner rider and obviously that’s going to have a knock-on effect on motorcycling itself.”

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