Tuesday 16 February 2021
To mitigate the impact the current COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are having on learner drivers/riders, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure has approved changes to the renewal requirements of provisional motorcycle driving licences.
This comes in addition to the Committee delegating authority during the first lockdown to introduce temporary exemptions for CBT Direct Access courses and expired theory test certificates in exceptional circumstances.
Because of this delegation, Driver and Vehicle Licensing officers were quickly able to reintroduce these temporary measures again as soon as the second lockdown came into effect and have been advising drivers of their options as enquiries have come in.
With this further addition, the three temporary exemptions which are now in play are as follows. Driver and Vehicle Licensing hope these changes will alleviate any anxiety experienced by provisional licence holders at this time.
CBT Direct Access Courses
For learner motorcyclists who have recently renewed their provisional motorcycle licence and have been unable to complete a CBT Direct Access Course within one month of renewal as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the licence holder can continue to ride providing they complete their motorcycle training course within 3 months of CBT training recommencing when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
If a rider has not completed the Direct Access course by the stipulated period of 3 months then they would be unable to ride and would be subject to the usual restrictions around reapplying.
Expired Theory Test Certificates
In most circumstances, a person submitting themselves for a practical driving test must be the holder of a valid theory test certificate. Theory test certificates are normally only valid for two years.
Currently, there are no practical driving tests being undertaken and therefore theory test certificates of some candidates will expire during this period before they can take a practical driving test. Therefore, in order to remove the need for those candidates to re-sit and pass their theory test, at extra expense, candidates are permitted to present themselves for a practical test with an expired theory test certificate for up to 2 months after practical tests resume. This will apply to certificates that expire between 23rd January 2021 and the date when practical tests recommence.
Renewal of driving licences
During the lockdown period, any motorists who need to renew their driving licence can email enquiries to dvl@gov.gg or telephone 01481 223400. Where possible, existing driving licence holders will be provided with access to renew online, by email or by post.
However, for provisional motorcycle licence holders that have, during this time of restrictions, been unable to renew their licence before it expires, it has now been agreed to remove the minimum one year to wait to renew their licence, providing the licence expires within the period from 23rd January 2021 - 31st March 2021 inclusive, and that they renew by 30th April 2021.
It is important to note that if someone's licence does expire, they will no longer be able to drive legally.
