Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 UK driving licence changes

This is a motorcyle in Italy too. Though it does have a certain sense as it is driven more with motorcyle controls even though it has a hand gear change.



Photo Wikipedia

Get a lot of in that 'top box' Peter...

We still see them used in this area. They can carry quite a load and get up narrow lanes where an ordinary truck can not pass. I'm not sure but the one shown in the photo may be a tipper too. Some had a hydraulic ram fitted under the tray.

Ahhhhh....a REAL Guzzi!

Of course if you hold a full UK licence to ride motorcycles and cars you have no problems ;-)

For those that passed a car test before 19 January this year, or hold a full motor bike licence - there is no problem.

The problem is, by moving the tricycle class to a motor bike licence group, anyone who is just starting motoring, ie 17 and a provisional licence holder - is stymied. To drive, almost all Morgans, they have to take the CBT, and then they can ride a bike up to 125cc and 11kW with L plates. If they then take a test, they can ride it without L plates.

At 19, they can take a further test on a bigger bike, and another at 21 on bigger and more powerful bike to get a full bike licence. Only then can they drive the Morgan. It is my understanding at no point could they have driven it on L plates with a qualified driver, but having passed a full motorbike test, are suddenly qualified to drive what is a car. And although it is probable by that age, they have a car licence, they don't need it to drive a three wheeler. So there is a very real safety argument, as well just making it difficult.

So overnight, the three wheeler absolute minimum driving age went from 17 to 21 - and if a person does not want to mess with progressive access, 24 and direct access.

While the EEC countries do require a staged motorbike access route, not all countries do, and getting a motor bike licence in some of them is remarkably simple. If, and I'm not arguing it should be, the passing of one motorbike test at 17 (as was the case when I grew up) was enough to drive a trike I suspect there would be much less argument.

I agree - the whole issue is frankly bonkers!

I believe that Brussels are now in effect saying ..." oh yes we didnt think of that - but sorry its too late..."

The Morgan3 is a car bodied three wheeler with a steering wheel and two front wheels - not a motorcycle trike with handle bar steering a single front wheel and two rears!

I also think that the issue of a CBT plus all bike licence requirement will put off all but the most determined.

I am also a biker of 48 years experience - and can tell u that the M3 - and cars like the M3 are not bikes - and require car driving skills not bike skills!

Hey ho - on we go

Thread resurrection!

The DVLA are now considering adopting the allowed for derogation that would allow car drivers over 21, to drive a three wheeler in the UK. However, my understanding is anyone who uses this would not be able to drive in any other country.

There is now preliminary talk of a fourth driving licence directive, and possibly further addressing the issue but that would take many years to become law.

Anyway, the DVLA are holding a consultation on this and other issues. The survey has supposedly been now modified to allow one to give a nil response to other issues, but a recent report suggests this might not work.

So if you are in the UK, please go here and give your views.

Personally I suggest you agree with adopting the derogation, but in the notes at the end, say something like this:

Consultation done as a result of the three wheeler driving on a car licence issue. While the derogation goes some way toward addressing the changes, it still does not go far enough in my opinion. In a ideal world, car bodied three wheelers should have remained as they were before the implementation of the misguided directive.

Please don't use my words, although we are lobbying, being seen as a lobby group using a standard form of words will dilute the effect.

Got my parents to do it.....

I suspect the new rules are mainly aimed at motorcycle like trikes; those with handlebars and predominantly bike-like controls. If it has a steering wheel and car like foot controls you should have to have a car licence to drive it. In fact someone with only a bike licence should not be allowed to drive it.
How the legislators came up with a regulation that did not cover this defeats me, but then a lot of their stupid regulations defeat me