Organisation: Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)
Date of Publication: November 2022
Uploaded to Knowledge Centre: 1 February 2023
This report examines the age demographic of licence holders for cars and motorcycles along with any regional variation across Great Britain. The analysis draws on Government-published data sets and data obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
The primary interest of the analysis is to establish any differences in demographic that may suggest entry to motorcycling is suppressed, what potential there may be for encouraging modal shift from cars to motorcycles, and whether there are any potential entry or safety implications resulting from differences in the licensing regimes for the two vehicle classes.
The report finds there is a significant difference for the prospective licence holder between the pathways for obtaining a car and a motorcycle licence in the UK.
For a car driving licence the process is straightforward, linear and consistent for all. In basic terms, apply for a provisional licence, theory test, practical test, drive any car. Leaving aside variable training costs, the licence process has a cost of £119 – £141. The higher cost applies if applying for a provisional licence on a paper form as opposed to online and/or taking the practical test at a weekend or evening, as opposed to a weekday.
Motorcycle licences come in a variety of formats depending on the type of motorcycle/moped, and the route to achieving those licences varies dependent on both age and the applicant’s car licence status.
Click the link below to read the full report: