Motorbike Insurance

Learner motorcyclists from north Yorkshire will have to take to the road for a long trek in order to take their driving test, it has emerged.

According to new European regulations, from September, it will no longer be possible to test learner bikers on public roads, the Yorkshire Post reports, but instead they will have to travel to designated test centres.

The directive requires a 50km emergency stop to be included as part of the test, translating to 32mph - above the on-road speed limit in built up areas.

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David Short, north Yorkshire campaigns manager for the Motorcycle Action Group, said: "Some of our most vulnerable and inexperienced riders are going to be put in a risk situation by having to travel long distances over roads which may be strange to them, while also stressed out because of the test."

He added that the number of test centres available for the UK has dropped from 225 to 66 because of the directive.

In 1990, the government introduced a compulsory basic training initiative which must be completed before learner motorcycle riders are allowed on the road with L-plates to reduce what was a very high accident rate.

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