JMo (& piglet)

You state "Good old Brexit eh?"

Could you explain how that is relevant and how Brexit has caused this problem?

UK riders have no problem with insurance covering EU countries.

This thread is specifically about a young Foreigner (Canadian) with limited experience trying to ride in the EU.

Facts probably don't mean much to you but the fact is that it was the EU that introduced the restricted motorcycle licences across EU countries. The UK is still sadly clinging onto that failed policy.

We continue to be blighted by misguided EU policy.

It's not a rhetorical question, really, please explain how this is a Brexit issue.

I agree, this never used to be a problem - however the OP (melcanda) has said that Bikesure only cover the UK now, and not Europe for some reason...

...and since this is a specific issue for them - ie. one of very few UK insurers which will cover a foreign licence holder it would appear that something, somewhere has changed?

Jx

fwiw. and not to derail this thread - since it would apparently be related to the son of the OP who does not have a UK licence, and would therefore be restricted to a A2 bike (plenty of good ones out there) if they were to take their test at age 20 - why do you consider the A1 and A2 tiered licencing system 'failed' and 'misguided'?

Apologies to the OP as the history of the problem doesn't provide the solution she is seeking.

Since joining the EC in 1973 which was superseded by the EU in 1992 there have been many changes. The current situation was proposed in the European Third Driving Licence Directive (Directive 2006/126/EC)

Proposed in 2005/6 and introduced in 2013.

JMo (& piglet) asked "why do you consider the A1 and A2 tiered licencing system 'failed' and 'misguided'?"

It’s misguided because EU bureaucrats introduced legislation to address a problem that didn't exist. Accidents are not caused by the capacity or power of the motorcycle engine but rather the attitude of the rider.

EU bureaucrats were told by motorcycling groups that the legislation was unnecessary

Here is text from an Early Day Motion submitted in the UK Parliament in 2005, opposing the introduction of the EU directive.
“Motion text
That this House believes the European Third Driving Licence Directive was drafted without due consideration for good road safety practice, will introduce a second motorcycle test with little or no effect on road safety and will make a motorcycle licence a complicated and expensive affair compared with a car licence; further believes that this will reduce commuter motorcycling, creating greater congestion and more pollution, while risking jobs in UK motorcycle manufacturers such as Triumph Motorcycles; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to use its presidency of the European Union to oppose the second motorcycle test and changes to motorcycle licence access ages".

The EU were advised that it wasn’t good legislation but they sat on it for 7 years and then introduced it anyway.

It has failed because over a decade has gone by and it can be statistically shown it has had no effect on safety.

It has, however, had a detrimental effect on rider training and the motorcycle industry. Possibly that was the EU’s intention all along.

Not sure why this thread is in the Overland Bicycle Travel section..........

Sorry, that was my bad. I realized a bit too late.

thread moved to Europe

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Grant Johnson
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