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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,333
Gone to Porsche Part of the Furniture
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Gone to Porsche Part of the Furniture
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,333 |
Well done 
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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OP
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947 |
That's rings a bell with me. I have a feeling that at one time if a three wheeler didn't have a reverse gear you could drive it on a bike licence. This was when bike licences were easier to come by. From 3-Wheelers.com Up until 1963 only people with a full car licence could have a reverse gear on a 3-wheeler. Motor cyclist licence holders with no car licence had to have the reverse gear blanked off if it was fitted. The change of law in 1963 means that anyone can now have a reverse gear on a 3-wheeler. Note the information there of course refers to the current situation, not the extras that January next year brings.
1930 Super Sports Aero 'The Elk'
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 478
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 478 |
Something is niggling at the back of my mind that one of the main differences is the addition of a reverse gear for a "car" as opposed to a "bike".....but could be very wrong. That's rings a bell with me. I have a feeling that at one time if a three wheeler didn't have a reverse gear you could drive it on a bike licence. This was when bike licences were easier to come by. Yes I was going to post just that. At 16 I believed I could drive a 3 wheeler provided it did not have a reverse gear. (mind you that is now a good few years ago).
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 42
Just Getting Started
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Just Getting Started
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 42 |
In Switzerland, the current 3 wheeler will be registered as a bike, without front numberplate and a smaller plate at the back but driven with a car licence. Provided we actually get any 3 wheelers... Mine was due in July, then August, and now September as there seems to be more delays in production, good job I ordered in March 2011!
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
New to Talk Morgan
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New to Talk Morgan
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12 |
[quote=Richard - Aus]Something is niggling at the back of my mind that one of the main differences is the addition of a reverse gear for a "car" as opposed to a "bike".....but could be very wrong. That's rings a bell with me. I have a feeling that at one time if a three wheeler didn't have a reverse gear you could drive it on a bike licence. This was when bike licences were easier to come by. Yes, yes, yes!! I had a Morgan 3 wheeler (1936 Super Sports, barrel back, water-cooled Matchless MX4, (sigh!)) and only (at that time, 1950īs) held a motorcycle licence. The trick was, to insert a copper washer from a 14mm spark plug onto the rod that then prevented reverse gear being engaged. Voila!! Legal!! Brings back so many wonderful memories!!
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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OP
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947 |
From 10th April, the UK has implemented the derogation in the EU directive. This means that a car licence holder who passed their test on or after 19th January 2013 and has attained the age of 21 (so not very many at the moment) can drive a trike in the UK.
This right though does not apply outside the UK. My information is that Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden have also adopted the derogation so their police might not worry; perhaps...
I'm still in the loop on this issue and I regard it as a step in the right direction, but we still need to work on the EU.
1930 Super Sports Aero 'The Elk'
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 400
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 400 |
Itīs been like that for quite a while here.
The M3W is registered and insured as a bike, but you donīt need a bike license. Even the nifty three wheeled scooters can be used with a car permit, as long as the front wheels are at least 49 cm, or more, apart. (Give or take a cm or two).
One of too few good things to come from European federalism...
M3W, now!!!
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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OP
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947 |
Sweden is the reason the derogation exists at all!
1930 Super Sports Aero 'The Elk'
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 400
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 400 |
How do you mean? Not getting your point, Iīm afraid.
At least for me it was pretty much "the EU has decided that...".
There were no three wheeled scooters here before.
M3W, now!!!
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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OP
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,947 |
My understanding was the directive was close to being accepted, and Sweden was saying, "there is problem with this, we won't pass it". So the derogation added at a late stage to keep Sweden happy.
It was originally thought that only Sweden would implement the derogation, but actually there are quite a few countries now who have.
1930 Super Sports Aero 'The Elk'
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