BIKE TEST FEES TO RISE 32.5%
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:53 am
BIKE TEST FEES TO RISE 32.5%
Friday, December 1, 2006 - Curtesy insidebikes.com
MOTORCYCLE THEORY TEST FEE INCREASE:
UNWELCOME ‘STEALTH TAX’, SAYS MRTA
The word from the MRTA, who are unhappy about the substantial increase in bike test fees on the horizon.
‘A Driving Standards Agency (DSA) proposal to increase the cost of the motorcycle theory test from £21.50 to £28.50 represents a £10 million “stealth tax” on riders,’ said Nigel Osborne, chairman of the RMI Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA), part of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).
‘This new fee would deliver a massive 32.5 per cent increase in revenue: consequently the DSA would do itself no favours with the motorcycling community.
We’ve no complaint with a proposed extension to both motorcycle and car theory test questions – from 35 to 50, and including subjects such as first-aid and eco-driving – but the industry strongly objects to an already profitable agency benefiting further from a raid on riders’ pockets. We will be vigorously opposing this proposed change in our consultation response.’
Osborne added: ‘It is not helpful for the industry if motorcyclists feel they are being unfairly victimised by a hugely disproportionate increase. After all, the Government is supposed to be encouraging people to use more environmentally-friendly forms of transport - raising the costs for then doing so is hardly a step forward!’
The theory test fee proposal has been put forward in a consultation document by the DSA, which is conducting a wholesale review of the driving and riding tests and associated fees
Friday, December 1, 2006 - Curtesy insidebikes.com
MOTORCYCLE THEORY TEST FEE INCREASE:
UNWELCOME ‘STEALTH TAX’, SAYS MRTA
The word from the MRTA, who are unhappy about the substantial increase in bike test fees on the horizon.
‘A Driving Standards Agency (DSA) proposal to increase the cost of the motorcycle theory test from £21.50 to £28.50 represents a £10 million “stealth tax” on riders,’ said Nigel Osborne, chairman of the RMI Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA), part of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).
‘This new fee would deliver a massive 32.5 per cent increase in revenue: consequently the DSA would do itself no favours with the motorcycling community.
We’ve no complaint with a proposed extension to both motorcycle and car theory test questions – from 35 to 50, and including subjects such as first-aid and eco-driving – but the industry strongly objects to an already profitable agency benefiting further from a raid on riders’ pockets. We will be vigorously opposing this proposed change in our consultation response.’
Osborne added: ‘It is not helpful for the industry if motorcyclists feel they are being unfairly victimised by a hugely disproportionate increase. After all, the Government is supposed to be encouraging people to use more environmentally-friendly forms of transport - raising the costs for then doing so is hardly a step forward!’
The theory test fee proposal has been put forward in a consultation document by the DSA, which is conducting a wholesale review of the driving and riding tests and associated fees