Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the report by the Motorcycle Industry Association entitled A Licence to Net Zero: Unleashing Our Potential, License Reform Essential: L-Category Licensing Reform Proposals, published on 16 October 2023, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the proposals in that report on the licensing regime for (a) mopeds, (b) motorcycles and (c) other powered light vehicles; and if she will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders on that matter.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport continues to meet with representatives from the motorcycling industry to discuss proposals on Category L licensing reform. We are awaiting evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association on their proposals.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the evidential basis is for (a) licensing requirements and (b) age restrictions for (i) mopeds, (ii) motorcycles and (iii) other powered light vehicles.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The current licensing requirements and age restrictions for moped, motorcycles were implemented in 2012 when the UK transposed the requirements of the European Union’s Third Driving Licence Directive. These regulations were drafted after extensive public consultation, impact assessments and Parliamentary scrutiny via the European Scrutiny Committee. Furthermore, these regulations were subject to a Post Implementation Review in 2017, published on the legislation.uk website.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Motorcycle Strategy Focus Group is next scheduled to meet; and whether the agenda will include a review of (a) moped and (b) motorcycle licensing requirements.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group plan to meet in autumn 2024. The date and agenda for the meeting have yet to be decided.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to take steps to help simplify the licensing regime for (a) mopeds and (b) motorcycles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
On 8 May, I chaired a roundtable with several stakeholders from the motorcycle industry to discuss motorcycle licensing. The Department is working with these stakeholders to bring together evidence to consider any future measures for licensing.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of Motorcycle Industry Association's proposals to simplify the licensing regime for powered light vehicles.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Government is open to discussing ideas for reform of the existing licensing regime for powered light vehicles known as L category vehicles where they do not compromise safety standards. It is also worth highlighting that driving licensing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on delivering the Joint Action Plan on Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Government continues to engage with industry to deliver the joint Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and Zemo Partnership Action Plan where appropriate. To address actions 2 and 3 on growing and developing the supply chain, the Government made up to £350,000 of funding available for research and development projects to grow the zero emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK. The Department is also working with the recently established “Powered Light Vehicle Community” to address action 9 on creating a formal L-category community. In addition, the Department is engaged with the MCIA’s recent licensing review proposals to address action 6 to review minimum testing and licence entitlements for all battery electric L-Category vehicles.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Motorcycle Industry Association's publication entitled Realising the full potential of zero emission powered light vehicles – a joint action plan for Government and industry, published in February 2022 what steps his Department is taking to improve uptake of mopeds.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Government’s Plug-in Motorcycle Grant encourages early market growth of zero emission powered light vehicles. It has supported the purchase of over 12,000 zero emission powered light vehicles, and according to our registration data, 40.6% of mopeds registered in 2022 were battery electric. All grants remain under continual review to ensure best value for money.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of his Department's steps to decarbonise L-Category vehicles.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and was supported by a thorough programme of engagement with stakeholders. The Department is now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.
Government policies are already in place to support the transition, such as the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant. The Government also made up to £350,000 of funding available for research and development projects to grow the zero-emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK. However, the Government appreciates that there are technology and infrastructure considerations for these vehicles as they transition and will continue to work with the sector to support and examine how to best overcome demand side challenges, including the infrastructure needs of zero emission L-category vehicles.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to increase the uptake of (a) mopeds and (b) motorcycles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Government seeks to enable people to choose how best to make journeys; we do not favour or promote any particular form of motorised personal transport. We are focused on ensuring the road system is safe and efficient for all users, for example through the measures in The Plan for Drivers from which riders will also benefit. These measures include fixing roads faster, better traffic lights and having the right speed limits in the right place.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Motorcycle Industry Association's report entitled, Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles, published February 2022.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Government continues to engage with industry to deliver the Action Plan where appropriate. To address actions 2 and 3 on growing and developing the supply chain, the Government made up to £350,000 of funding available for research and development projects to grow the zero-emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK. The Department is also working with the recently established “Powered Light Vehicle Community” to address action 9 on creating a formal L-category community. In addition, the Department is engaged with the MCIA’s recent licensing review proposals to address action 6 to review minimum testing and licence entitlements for all battery electric L-Category vehicles.