“Contrary to popular belief, you can’t ride a motorcycle abroad with a B licence, even if you have taken motorcycle lessons”, warned Member of the European Parliament, Yvan Verougstraete (Renew Europe, Belgian), in a press release on Wednesday 14 August.
He highlighted the fact that, in several European countries, a category B car licence allows you to drive a category A1 (125cc) motorcycle. However, this rule only applies in the country where the licence was issued, even if the law is the same in the country where the driver is travelling.
“If you’re French and you hire a motorcycle in Spain, you’re doing so illegally, perhaps the problem is even two-fold, because in Spain you might only need a Spanish B licence to ride a motorcycle, but you will also need to have had it for at least 3 years”, explained the MEP.
He therefore believes that Article 6 of Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences “means that many holidaymakers and cross-border commuters are acting illegally”, and even “puts them at real risk”. He requests that this article be amended.
This Directive is currently being revised (see EUROPE 13443/10). (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)