German policy supports mobility

IVM welcomes the substantial requirements regarding road traffic by CDU/CSU and FDP towards a more simplified access to motorcycle licensing. From the point of view of Reiner Brendicke, General Manager of IVM, Dirk Fischer and Gero Storjohann’s request, both members of German parliament, is a valuable signal towards a citizen-oriented mobility, a signal that is assessed positively by the motorcycle and scooter business.”

(IVM) Essen, May 7, 2010. “German policy has to simplify mobility. We need more 50ccm scooters and light motorcycles as beginner vehicles for young motorcyclists. We need easier access to 125ccm light-weight motorcycles for persons who have been in possession of driving licences for cars for years.” The request of the parliamentary groups CDU/CSU and FDP supports this substantial request by IVM president Hermann Bohrer and Reiner Brendicke, general manager of IVM. In this context Dirk Fischer, member of German parliament and transport policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU faction, and Gero Storjohann, member of German parliament and rapporteur of the Committee of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, explained:
“At present, a lot of motorists who have been operating a vehicle in road traffic for years already still have to take part in extensive theory instructions and have to pass a test in order to get a motorcycle licence. This costs both time and money and often is not necessary since the applicants are already well acquainted with road traffic regulations and have applied them in real life for a long time. This is why the parliamentary parties in coalition demand to adjust the present legal framework to the state of facts and thus simplify licensing procedures:

• Persons who have been in possession of a driving licence class B for more than 15 years and who want to access class A1 will only have to pass a specific theory test and a practical riding test after practical riding instructions.

• Persons who have been in possession of a licence class A1 for two years or longer do not have to pass another theory test but will only have to attend practical instructions and then pass a practical test.

• The same applies to those who want to get a licence class A in case they have been in possession of a motorcycle licence A2 for more than two years.

• Persons who passed their driving test before April 1, 1980 (formerly called class 3) have to attend a practical training and pass a practical test for class A2 motorcycles but will only have to do a specific theory test. The reason for this is that their licence already includes light motorcycles of class A1.

• Furthermore we ask for a lowering of the minimum age for class AM applicants to 15 years of age. The lowering of the minimum age for class AM applicants will be a benefit in particular for trainees who learn a trade and live in rural areas.

These adaptations in the legal framework will simplify and accelerate the access to motorcycle licences. Persons who are able to verify that they have experienced road traffic for years – both on four and on two wheels – will no longer be treated as beginner riders and thus can directly apply the knowledge and experience they have.”

For more information:
Achim Marten, head of the press department IVM
0049/201/83 40 3 -24
achim.##ed.ve-mvi@netram##