The Minister of Transport plans to introduce new rules for driver training that may see basic training compulsory for all road users. In an interview with Motors, Mr Seamus Brennan said he will raise the minimum age of motor-cyclists from 16 to 17 as part of a number of a number of measures aimed at making motorcycling safer.
Motorcyclists will also be required to display an L-plate and, he hopes during the first half of 2004 to make basic training compulsory for all new motorcycle applicants, with the scheme expanded out to all road users as soon as possible.
The new Driver Testing Standards Authority will be responsible for overseeing the standards of the basic training courses and motorcycle instructors would be required to hold a relevant advance qualification.
The provisional driving licence would go and be replaced by a "learner Permit'.
New riders would not be permitted ride unaccompanied on this permit until they had both completed and passed the requisite standard of a Compulsory Basic Training course. Standards both for the new training and for the instructors would be determined by a new State body, the Driver Testing Standards Authority.
However he suggests that an advanced certificate would be a prerequisite for an instructor. According to Mr Brennan: "The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents Advanced Test would seem to be appropriate in that it requires the rider to undergo a test ever three years to retain this qualification."
The Minister said he planned to set up the Driver Testing Standards Authority early in the New Year. "Their brief will be to create the standards that should apply prior to the rider being able to go forward for the test, This agency will possibly take over the Driving Test."
Under the proposals training would be on a one-to-one basis, and Mr Brennan is confident there will be a sufficient number of instructors. "If the demand is there I'm sure it can be satisfied."
The Minister accepts that the present waiting time for a Driving Test for a motorcyclist is inordinate and said that it might be possible to engage some of the instructors on a contract basis to conduct the motorcycle test.
The cost of compulsory basic training for motorcyclists will have to be borne by the motorcyclist and the Minister does not envisage setting training fees. He did express the hope that the insurance companies, having pressed for such measures, would respond by passing on savings to motorcyclists.
The Minister added that he fully intended introducing a similar Compulsory Basic Training requirement for all road users as soon as possible. He mentioned that, in the light of a further nine bus corridors to be introduced he was looking at the possibility of allowing motorcycles into bus lanes.
He concluded by saying that at present there is an unfair image of motorcyclists and that he had been very impressed by the really professional and constructive contributions made by motorcyclists and added that the public perception had to be changed. "Motorcycles", he added "can be safe if they are used properly".
Mr Brennan said: "I would expect to be introducing new measures in the first half of 2004.
According to Mr Brennan, "the provisional licence is likely to be replaced by a 'Learner Permit'. This will means a new rider has to undergo a course of basic training before they can ride on their own."
As to the length of instruction required, he says: "We are still working on this but it would appear that ten hours of instruction would need to be the minimum to achieve the improvement we are seeking but I am aware that some would regard this as not enough. It could be more." Under the proposed rules the Minister says a rider must meet a set standard to qualify.
The Minister also said he planned to set up a Driver Testing Standards Authority early in the New Year. "Their brief will be to create the standards that should apply prior to the rider being able to go forward for the test, This agency will possibly take over the Driving Test."
He is confident that there will be enough qualified instructors
As to a possible backlog created by a lack of instructors, Mr Brennan said he is confident this can be remedied quickly. "If the demand is there I'm sure it can be satisfied." There are currently less than 50 qualified motorcycle instructors in the State and it's estimated that each year some 4,000 new riders will have to undergo Compulsory Basic Training. According to the Minister the training would also have to be one-to-one, as opposed to the British system whereby learners are trained in groups.
He also ruled out any changes to the current regulations under the Garda Code of Conduct which prohibits members of the force giving such instruction in their spare time.
The cost of the CBT will be borne by the motorcyclist.