Skip to main content

Overhaul of driver and motorcycle training welcomed by IAM RoadSmart

Leading UK road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has welcomed Government plans to improve driver and motorcycling training. The plans include learner drivers being allowed on motorways for the first time, novice riders required to complete a theory test as part of their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and provisional motorcyclists to be banned after receiving six penalty points. The Government says the changes will see competent learner drivers able to have lessons on motorways with an approved driving i
January 3, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Leading UK road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has welcomed Government plans to improve driver and motorcycling training.

The plans include learner drivers being allowed on motorways for the first time, novice riders required to complete a theory test as part of their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and provisional motorcyclists to be banned after receiving six penalty points.

The Government says the changes will see competent learner drivers able to have lessons on motorways with an approved driving instructor in a dual controlled car.

In addition the CBT course, which allows motorcyclists to ride unaccompanied on Great Britain’s roads, will also be updated.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research, said: “It makes no sense that new drivers learn by trial and, often fatal, error how to use our fastest and most important roads.  Allowing learners on motorways with an approved instructor is a sensible and measured solution that should deliver drivers who are much better able to cope with complex new smart motorways.”

On the changes to motorcycle training, he said the proposals close two loopholes that IAM RoadSmart has been highlighting with motorcycle industry training partners.  He said, “A theory test should always be the first step for any motorised road user before they reach the road.  The six penalty point approach also finally brings motorcycle users in line with the New Driver’s Act for car drivers.”

The 1837 Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency have jointly launched consultations seeking views, which will run until 17 February 2017. The changes could take effect by 2018.

Related Content

  • June 20, 2016
    Association News on ITS
    Association news from around the globe; Austria, Norway, Czech Republic & Slovakia associations share plans for C-ITS. ITS UK thinks countries boasting that legal autonomous vehicles will become a regular feature on their roads are straying far from the case. ITS Australia debates driverless vehicles and Eu ecall helped on its way.
  • May 24, 2022
    ‘How do you connect your dots with their dots?’
    Ahead of the European Congress in Toulouse, Joost Vantomme tells Adam Hill how Ertico-ITS Europe is looking to bring partners together in pursuit of smarter and more sustainable mobility
  • February 3, 2012
    Developments in software visualisation packages
    Adrian Greeman looks at developments in software visualisation packages. The capacity to make visualisations has been growing in importance over the last decade, and is now a well-accepted part of consultations and client presentations. But making high-quality images of projects is still a major undertaking and larger consultancies employ specialist departments to do so. Costs are coming down but it can still take a while, and some high-capacity hardware, to produce realistic renderings from drawings and 3D
  • July 5, 2023
    V2X: “The stars are aligning,” says Qualcomm’s Jim Misener
    The roll-out of Vehicle to Everything technology has been given a massive boost by the US Federal Communications Commission: Adam Hill talks to Qualcomm’s Jim Misener and Andres Castrillon to find out why it matters so much – and what the next steps to mass deployment are