The Direct Access Scheme (DAS) is a training route which allows riders of 21 years or over to train under the supervision of a certified instructor before taking the category A practical motorcycle test. The Driving Standards Agency does not collect data on the route people follow when taking a category A test, although it is likely that the majority of people do follow the Direct Access route.

The number of people who have taken a category A practical motorcycle test in each of the last five financial years and in the current year to 31 October 2012 are:

The groups established by the Department for Transport and the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) between May 2010 and August 2012 and involved in motorcycle training and testing are listed as follows.

No new groups have been established from August 2012 to date.

In addition, the Motorcycle Stakeholder Panel, established in November 2009, met throughout 2010 and 2011. The panel ensured stakeholders were informed of and able to offer input to DSA plans and provided a forum for them to represent their members.

Established in 2010:

The Motorcycle Test Review High Level Steering Group. Provides a high level oversight of the test review process.

Motorcycle Test Review Working Group. As part of the Government's wider work to promote safe, reasonable use of the road network, the specific focus of the motorcycle test review is to consider how to improve the practical motorcycle test in Great Britain. Specific areas for consideration include:

the content of the practical test;

safe delivery arrangements;

adequate geographical coverage;

implications for the training industry;

implications of the EU third driving licence directive; and

cost implications for riders, trainers and DFT/DSA/DVLA.

Motorcycle Test Review Technical Sub-Group. Considers how best to implement the manoeuvres that should form part of the practical motorcycle test, having regard to the requirements of the EU driving licence directives; reports findings to the Working Group.

Motorcycle Booking Working Group. The working group was established following the announcement of the motorcycle test review to consider the issues trainers identified with booking test appointments. Its aim was to progress the findings of the trainer booking review undertaken in 2009, resolve the inefficiencies of the scheme and plan the implementation of the changes.

Established in 2011:

The Strategic Framework for Road Safety, published in May 2011, set out a commitment to ensure that motorcycle instructors have the appropriate skills and qualifications. DSA established the Learning to Ride Working Group, involving key motorcycle stakeholders, to progress this work. The group is considering a wide range of proposals, including possible changes to the qualification and quality assurance arrangements for motorcycle instructors.

Research Steering Group. Determines the methodology, quality assurance and governance of the research and reports this information to the Motorcycle Test Review Working Group.

In England, the following toll bridges do not levy a charge for motorcycles using them: the Dartford Crossing, Humber Bridge, Severn Crossings, Tamar Bridge and the Tyne Tunnels.

The Department does not hold such data for tolled bridges and crossings in Wales. All toll charges on bridges in Scotland were abolished by the Scottish Parliament on 11 February 2008, under the Abolition of Bridge Tolls (Scotland) Act 2008.

As on 30 October 2012, 633 approved training bodies deliver approved training courses from 1,646 approved sites. A list showing the location of each training site has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

The Driving Standards Agency does not retain information on the training bodies that held such approval in April 2008 and 2012.

The Driving Standards Agency's (DSA's) reporting systems do not allow for retrospective interrogation for certain data sets. Therefore, no data is available for the number of Approved Training Bodies (ATBs) in 2008. However, in October 2009, there were 696 ATBs registered with the DSA.

The number of ATBs that are currently registered is 633.

There are no plans to make a separate assessment of the possible effect on jobs. However, an impact assessment of the EU regulation, including anti-tampering measures, was carried out to support negotiations on the new regulation, and this included a small firms impact test.

The impact assessment is available on the DFT website and can be found at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-26/

The technical aspects of module 1 were revised in May 2011, as part of interim changes to the motorcycle test:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/stories/dsa-news-20110328

The number of participants that have been involved in the research trials, to date, is 250; this includes test ready learner riders, trainers and DSA driving examiners.

An assessment of the trials will be made once the research has concluded. The results of the research will be published alongside the public consultation, on any proposed changes to the motorcycle test, which is expected to commence in the spring.

The technical aspects of module 1 were revised in May 2011, as part of interim changes to the motorcycle test:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/stories/dsa-news-20110328

The number of participants that have been involved in the research trials, to date, is 250; this includes test ready learner riders, trainers and DSA driving examiners.

An assessment of the trials will be made once the research has concluded. The results of the research will be published alongside the public consultation, on any proposed changes to the motorcycle test, which is expected to commence in the spring.

The technical aspects of module 1 were revised in May 2011, as part of interim changes to the motorcycle test:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/stories/dsa-news-20110328

The number of participants that have been involved in the research trials, to date, is 250; this includes test ready learner riders, trainers and DSA driving examiners.

An assessment of the trials will be made once the research has concluded. The results of the research will be published alongside the public consultation, on any proposed changes to the motorcycle test, which is expected to commence in the spring.

As at 22 October 2012, there have been 68,187 individuals that have completed two or more practical motorcycling tests since the introduction of the two-part test on 27 April 2009. These include those who have taken either:

more than one module 1 test but no module 2 test; or

module 1 and module 2 tests with more than one attempt at either or both modules.

In addition, 70,478 individuals have taken a single module 1 and single module 2 test.

Since the introduction of the 2-part practical motorcycling test on 27 April 2009, there have been:

776 incidents on module 1 tests, and

223 incidents on module 2 tests.

The rate of incidents has been monitored closely since the test was introduced. The Driving Standards Agency conducted around 62,500 tests in the last 12 months to August 2012. There were 2.7 incidents per 1,000 tests for that period—which is a reduction from 3.3 incidents over the previous 12 month period.

The incident rate is currently 1.3 incidents per 1,000 tests. The majority (83%) of these were minor in nature and only 26 were serious reportable incidents. Serious incidents are defined as those where the candidate received medical attention and was taken straight to hospital from the test site.

No analysis has been carried out into the effect of weather conditions on incidents on test.

CIECA, the international commission for driver testing authorities compiles data about driving and riding test rates. The comparative

pass rates of those member states who declared their category A1, A2 and A test pass rates (measured in % passed) in 2011 were:

No data is available for the number of motorcycle instructors in 2008. In October 2009, 2,675 certificates were held by motorcycling instructors delivering compulsory basic training and direct access training.

Since April 2011, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published official statistics on the Department for Transport (DFT) website about the number of certificates issued to motorcycling instructors delivering compulsory basic training and direct access training. These figures are produced quarterly and in June 2012 there were 2,849 certificates held.

Other types of motorcycling instruction such as pre-test training are unregulated and no data is held about the number of instructors operating in those sectors.

The Department for Transport review into the delivery of the practical motorcycling test is still ongoing. One of a range of options under consideration is for the higher speed manoeuvres to be carried out on road at or around the urban speed limit of 30 mph. Once the review is complete we will be in a position to determine whether a derogation is necessary.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) monitors the rate of incidents during all testing and training activity at all DSA and trainer owned locations—including on road training and testing.

The number of incidents, at both permanent and casual testing sites, since the two-part practical motorcycling test was introduced, is shown in the following table:

All serious incidents are followed up and investigated where appropriate to determine the cause and to provide advice and support to those involved.

This information is not centrally held. The hon. Member may wish to contact the London Ambulance Service.

The format of the motorcycle practical test is currently under review. The Department for Transport is working with stakeholders to identify ways in which the test could be improved.

Immediately prior to the introduction of the two-part test, the demand for the practical motorcycling test increased markedly—approximately 19% from 2006-07 to 2008-09—as candidates sought to pass the test in its existing, familiar format.

Following the introduction of the two-part test there was an initial fall in demand of approximately 35%. However demand has been gradually increasing ever since.

The Driving Standards Agency is not aware of any effect on the economy that is attributable to the fall in demand for practical motorcycling tests.

Incidents on Module 1 practical motorcycling tests: 24 April 2009 to 10 September 2012.

The Driving Standards Agency does not record incidents using the definition 'serious injury', as used by the Department for Transport for the purposes of Road Safety Statistics. The Agency records incidents occurring during Module 1 tests under three categories: RIDDOR reportable incidents (those reportable to the Health and Safety Executive); incidents requiring either first aid or medical attention; and incidents requiring no or self treatment.