The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (“the principal Regulations”) to make provision requiring a person who drives a motor bicycle but who does not hold a full licence to do so to undergo an approved training course before he can ride on a public road unsupervised, or before he can take a test of competence to drive a motor bicycle.

They insert a new Part IVA into the principal Regulations to make provision with regard to the training in the driving of motor bicycles and also make a number of minor and consequential amendments.

Regulation 2(2) inserts new definitions into regulation 2(1) of the principal Regulations.

Regulation 2(3) amends regulation 12 of the principal Regulations so as to make it a condition that the holder of a provisional licence to drive a moped or a learner motor bicycle shall only drive under the supervision of an approved motorcycle instructor unless they hold a valid certificate of successful completion of an approved training course for motorcyclists.

Regulation 2(4) and (5) amends regulations 27 and 28 to require a person submitting himself for a practical test to produce a valid special manoeuvres test certificate and a valid certificate of successful completion of an approved training course for motorcyclists.

Regulation 2(6) amends regulation 29B(1)(a) of the principal Regulations in relation to the content of the driving theory test for cars, motorcycles and mopeds by removing the requirement for that test to consist of 50 questions in multiple choice or multiple response form.

Regulation 2(7) amends regulation 32 of the principal Regulations so that, in relation to a person passing the test of competence to drive a vehicle in category B on or after 21^st February 2011, a licence to drive a vehicle in category B does not confer entitlement to drive vehicles in category P unless the licence holder has successfully completed an approved training course for motor cyclists

Regulation 2(8) inserts a new regulation 33A into the principal Regulations to provide for the grant of a licence restricted to a 3 wheeled vehicle in category P.

Regulation 2(9) inserts new Part IVA (regulations 47A to 47H) into the principal Regulations which make provision for the nature and conduct of approved training courses for motor cyclists, specifies the authorisation for the delivery of the courses and sets out exemptions from the requirement to undergo training in certain circumstances.

Regulation 2(10) amends Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the principal Regulations by reducing the minimum number of specified reversing manoeuvres having to be performed in the practical test of competence to drive from two to one.

Regulation 2(11) inserts new Schedules 10A and 10B into the principal Regulations. Schedule 10A sets out the elements required to be completed in each module of the approved training course and Schedule 10B sets out the form of certificate of successful completion of the course.

The Road Traffic (1991 Order) (Commencement No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011 No.19 (C.4 )) provides for the coming into operation of the enabling provisions under which these Regulations are made.

An Explanatory Memorandum and a Regulatory Impact Assessment have been produced and are available from the Road Safety Division, Department of the Environment, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB or viewed online at http;//www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr