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In March 2009, the father of a motorcycle accident victim who died after a crash on UK roads called for a loophole in DVLA EU motorbike licensing laws to be closed.
His son, an army sergeant from Basingstoke, had taken a quickie 30-minute motorcycle test while serving in Cyprus and upon return to the UK was able to exchange the EU licence for a full UK licence, thereby avoiding the extensive training and testing required to ride larger bikes in the UK.
According to reports, the Cypriot motorbike test consists of minimal riding scrutiny and in the case of the Basingstoke man, when he took the test four years ago, involved him riding around a few traffic cones and not actually riding on public roads at all.
In the UK, motorcycle training includes many elements, including the completion of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), on-site and on-road training and at least two hours on the road. The practical test includes an eyesight test, vehicle safety questions, a test of driving ability, a test of specific manoeuvres and questions about riding with a passenger.
The soldier's fatal motorbike crash happened in November 2008 and at the March 2009 inquest Wiltshire's deputy coroner heard how the sergeant had lost control of his Yamaha R6 600cc sport motorbike whilst negotiating a bend on a road between barracks in Wiltshire.
At the inquest a colleague of the motorcycle accident victim told the coroner that on the day of the accident the motorcyclist had been asking about basic riding techniques including cornering. He said that he felt the rider did not have equivalent UK competency to ride the size of motorcycle that the exchanged licence permitted him to ride.
He added that he had now forbidden his soldiers from taking their motorcycle tests in Cyprus.
The coroner presiding recorded a verdict of death by misadventure and said he would be compiling a report to the DVLA, suggesting that this licensing loophole be closed.
The man's father described the situation as obscene, he added, "I feel let down by the EU because they allow it. I'm sure [my son] is not the only man or woman who has died as a result of the law."
Motorcycle training and accident compensation
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident or any road traffic incident that involves a rider or driver without full training or licensing you stand a good chance of being able to claim compensation for your injuries. Contact the personal injury experts at YouClaim to see if we can help.
Call our free UK helpline on 0800 10 757 95 or fill in an online claim form and, if eligible, you will be assigned an accident claim solicitor who will look after your case.
Making a motorbike accident claim with YouClaim is entirely risk free as we work on a 100% compensation, no win no fee basis. This means, win or lose, you will not have to pay a penny for our services. If you need time to think then we can call you back at a more convenient time, just let us have a few details and we will do the rest.
