Widen Driving License Categories

Finding ways to provide choice and freedom back to the public isn’t easy! ‘Deregulation’ is thrown around consistently but few concrete examples seem be presented when pushed for examples.

One key area we can safely ‘deregulate’ is in our driving license categories. What might seem like small changes would enable more choice for islanders to travel around how they wish, and we can learn from jurisdictions that have already done this.

Provide Moped Licenses to Car License holders.

We allow moped licenses at the age 16 following the same route as other motorbike licenses;

1. Pass a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training)
2. Pass a theory test.
3. Pass a practical test.

We require this even if a car driver has years or decades of driving experience. Mopeds are restricted to less than 50kmph and are their legal requirements are considered national policy under the Vienna Convention for motoring licenses.

If we gave all car drivers a moped license so long as they pass a CBT, we could give motorists more choice for travel without all the work of the tests.

This is the policy in place at the moment in the UK and other countries. It works well, given holding a car license proves the theory and practical knowledge of the road, whilst a CBT ensures the rider can handle the moped itself.

Reinstate higher trailer towing limits with a car license.

In 2021, faced with an HGV shortage, the UK Government chose to merge the trailer license class (E) back with car licenses (B),l removing the need for a further test to tow up to 3500kg. Previously a car driver could tow only up to 750kg if their license was from after 1997.

Three years on, the UK Government published a review into their policy and found now material reasons to change it back, even though pressure on tests had since fallen. It’s an example of giving back control and options to islanders, who may then chose to take up sailing or camping where they wouldn’t before.

Is it safe? The UK report suggests so, and common sense explains why - You quickly learn if you’re not ready to tow a trailer, and you’ll in most events learn with someone else, just like you would on a provisional license.

Introduce a High Power/Speed E-Bike Category

Although there has been occasional talk about it, we still are no further on introducing an easy way to ride higher power electric bicycles on the roads.

‘S-pedelecs’ are capable of up to 28mph (45kmph) yet currently fall in between our moped and e-bike regulations. We should aim to get these bikes on the road. We could use moped licensing or another lightweight test, but could exempt the vehicles from registration - creating a genuine choice for road users.