licensing policies and restrictions???

Mr. Shupe

Joined Mar 2006

1K Posts | 71+

US

Discussion Starter
• Mar 13, 2007

• #1

I have heard that some countries use a tiered motorcycle licensing system. In this system new riders are initially limited to smaller bikes; riders have to complete a certain number of miles before they can move up to bigger, more powerful machines. Is this true? Does anyone know where I can find information on such licensing systems? I would like to have some links to government web sites that explain such licensing policies. Any help is appreciated!

 

B

Burky

Joined Dec 2006

1K Posts | 0+

• Mar 13, 2007

• #2

I have an ACU licence application in front of me. I guess your US system will be similar, and I suggest you contact your country's motorcycle governing body.
Here, with road racing, the tired system is....

Novice
Intermediate Novice
Clubman
National
International non championship
International championships

I guess in the earlier stages, capacities would be restricted.

I hope that helps you in the right direction.

 

S

Symon10

Joined Aug 2006

1K Posts | 0+

Fingland

• Mar 14, 2007

• #3

Did Mr. Shu mean for road racing or riding on roads?

 

Mr. Shupe

Joined Mar 2006

1K Posts | 71+

US

Discussion Starter
• Mar 14, 2007

• #4

Street riding; regular commuting. Sorry for not being very clear.

 

S

Symon10

Joined Aug 2006

1K Posts | 0+

Fingland

• Mar 14, 2007

• #5

That's what i thought as you used
words like "government" instead of "association" as it would be for
racing. One track mind burky (pun intended)

I may get back to you with a proper answer- my memory is a bit
unclear on this...

 

B

Burky

Joined Dec 2006

1K Posts | 0+

• Mar 14, 2007

• #6

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pirkkalan GP @ Mar 14 2007, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That's what i thought as you used
words like "government" instead of "association" as it would be for
racing. One track mind burky (pun intended)

I may get back to you with a proper answer- my memory is a bit
unclear on this...

Sorry about that!!! Got my race face on!

Which track?

 

M

Marijke

Joined Jul 2005

5K Posts | 0+

Gelderland

• Mar 15, 2007

• #7

I know holland have a simular system. we can get our licence when we are 18, same for the car and for a bike. But we can't ride a bike over a certain amound of power untill we are 21. The european commision is trying to raise that age to 24 in all of Europe. As far as I know, it's not limited on the amound of miles/km you've ridden a bike: if I would want to get a licence on the age of 24, I could get a heavier bike immediatly.

I don't know any websites who can confirm what I wrote here

I've read it in our newspaper a couple of months a go

 

S

Symon10

Joined Aug 2006

1K Posts | 0+

Fingland

• Mar 15, 2007

• #8

Go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Learn...peds/DG_4022568 (bike specifics)
and
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Drive...ions/DG_4022547
(age specifics)
for the rules in England. Seem bit complicated to me...
the licencing agency in England is:
http://www.dvla.gov.uk

In Finland the licencing system is similar with A and A1 classes. Mopeds can be riden from 15...but you were asking about bike restrictions...when 18 you can get an A class licence (unlike 17 in England). For above 33bhp (25kW) bikes (like in England) you have to be over 21...and then have had an A class licence for at least 2 years or taken a special test on an above 35kW (?bhp?) bike. That is all if I have understood the Finnish correctly. Didn't find the English at a glance.

Maybe that's of interest to you Mr. Shu

 

Mr. Shupe

Joined Mar 2006

1K Posts | 71+

US

Discussion Starter
• Mar 15, 2007

• #9

Thank you very much Pirk, and to everyone else too. You are all very kind!

 

S

Symon10

Joined Aug 2006

1K Posts | 0+

Fingland

• Mar 15, 2007

• #10

May i ask your reasons for asking?

 

Traverser

Joined May 2006

4K Posts | 2+

Mts-7

• Mar 16, 2007

• #11

In the good old USA, you can buy any bike size you want as long as you are 18 or I think it's 16 years old. You don't even need an endorsement. A test ride is a very different story.

 

Mr. Shupe

Joined Mar 2006

1K Posts | 71+

US

Discussion Starter
• Mar 17, 2007

• #12

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pirkkalan GP @ Mar 16 2007, 01:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>May i ask your reasons for asking?

I am doing a research paper on beginner motorcyclists that start out on high-performance bikes/large displacement bikes. I am trying to see if statistics show this to be a significant issue or not. I have seen experienced riders roll their eyes at beginners who choose, say, a GSX-R 600 for a first bike. I'm wondering how big this issue is.

 

K

kjshields

Joined Jan 2007

769 Posts | 0+

Sydney

• Mar 17, 2007

• #13

Sorry to be late to reply to this, Australia has a graduated system ... but they differ from state to state ....

i read a report a little while ago on a similar kind of thing... just a report done by students at an australian university. Hopefully its along the lines that you want

http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/reports/muarc240.pdf

 

basspete

Joined Oct 2006

3K Posts | 197+

Living the dream in Scotland

• Mar 20, 2007

• #14

Its a problem over here big time. We got the Born Again Bikers, 40 somethings who owned a 250 superdream in 1980, the kids have left home, they got a bit of money so they pass the direct access test and get the latest rocket ship.

Ask anyone who has ridden for a long time, and they will tell you stories of being stuck behind a gsxr, r1 or fireplace coz the rider cant go around corners. In the summer you see loads of them with a big fat strip worn down the centre of thier tyre, and the sides are like new!

I once followed a mate down from Knockhill circuit, he was on an XT550 trailie and he nearly tailgated a gsx600f coz the guy panic breaked for a corner after passing my mate!

So yeah, you can do direct acces over here if you are over 21. Whether thats a good idea is another thing!

Pete