Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Do not ask the police...

I've done battle and failed. The Ask The Police website only deals with UK law, but I cannot get them to admit we are using a derogation under EU law in respect of trike driving.

So although you can correctly glean that your 21 year old son or daughter with a car licence can drive in the UK, cross the channel and they can't (unless they also have a full bike licence).

If they said on the website this only applies in the UK and the licence does not cover trikes the moment you cross a border; but they won't.

As I'm sure this cannot be an absolutely isolated problem, do not ask the police, they have blinkers on.

They're too busy running around trying to stitch up dead people as paedos (to make up for their failings in the jimmy savile case) to do anything of use to the public

Think stitch up might be the wrong wording it is called justice for the survivors !
To be believed after first making a complaint to be swept under the table.

This is a problem of the identity of the M3W. Is it a car or is it a bike? In Australia the problem has been solved by calling it a car.

Let's face it it is more a three wheel car than a three wheel bike. In reality it has the safety considerations somewhere between a three wheel bike, say a sidecar outfit, and a car.

This is a problem for the legislators. What is needed is a regulation that says:
if the vehicle is equiped with steering wheel and car type pedals you must have a car licence,
if the vehicle is equiped with handlebars you must have a bike licence,
if the vehicle is equiped with a safety cage and seatbelts (that in a roll over the occupants head can not touch the surface) you do not need a helmet (otherwise you must wear a helmet),
if the vehicle is homologated with seatbelts they must be used.

Logical and simple rules to be applied Europe wide. No misunderstandings or confusion. Simple.

Somebody needs to start a Europe wide action to get the politicians to get off their collective ar$es and do something to rationalise this issue. You only need a cop having a bad day to make life very difficult for someone if this issue is not sorted out.

Okay, maybe stitch up is the wrong word, but they've gone from one extreme to another. I don't like this whole atmosphere of a witch hunt.

Except you'd never get this past the legislators, the VCC (Veteran Car Club) for one would be up in arms about having to wear a helmet in/on a De Dion Bouton trike. (Have a look at the website De Dion Boutons at Mallory Park ).

Is a motor bike licence relevant to a three wheeler like the De Dion?

I for one would indulge in civil disobedience at being compeled to wear a helmet in* my vintage car.

* Yes in, not on!

So, let's get this straight....you can drive one legally in this country on a car licence and do not need a motorcycle licence, but you cannot legally drive on the Continent unless you have a motorcycle licence? Does that mean that over there you can drive on just a bike licence or do you need both licences?
I assume that there is a date cutoff regarding UK licence holders not requiring a bike licence to drive a three wheeler on the continent?

I ask this because the regulations seem as clear as mud and I do get people asking on the tours about the licence requirements!

As long as you are over 21, or passed your car test before 19 January 2013.


Yes, but anyone who passed their car driving test prior to 19 January 2013 and has a licence issued after that date (or a renewal etc) will have a class A licence added as well, but with note 79, which is limited to trikes.


One licence is enough, and a full bike licence will cover you here too. No need for a car licence to drive something that occupies the space of a car, has a steering wheel and pedals...


Yes, any licence issued before 19 January 2013 covers, and in theory, an overseas policeman can work this out...


Yes, probably the most confusing bit of legislation in recent years. Because the third directive was modified in committee we do not know whose insistence caused this modification. The directive apparently was logical up to that point and it would appear the people who drew up the directive in the first place are not happy it was changed.

I'm aware Martyn has done so much in respect of this, and having done some digging from my end, he's The Man here & this is as definitive as it gets..

The Police of course, merely enforce and don't make the rules. That's up to the good burghers of the Driving & Vehicle Standards Agency or whatever they're called this week.

Keep trying Martyn - we need people like you.

I just checked the government website regarding driving licenses for 3w bikes quads, trikes and ATV's. (The M3W has got a motorcycle registration in Austria.)
As the M3W is more than 400kg a B-license (i.e. car license) is the correct one. Helmet obligatory. Age limitation +21 for licenses past 2013

https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/276/Seite.2760005.html