As previously reported on this blog (click here to read) the UK Government has made a real hash of introducing the new motorcycle test. The test centres were not ready for the planned introduction on 28th September 2008 and as a result the test introduction has been postponed until 30th March 2009.

Well there is another twist in this sorry saga that really makes my blood boil.

To coincide with the now postponed introduction date and supposedly to cover the increased costs associated with the new test the fees were increased from £60 to £80.

However as recently reported in Motorcycle News, these fees have neither been reduced to reflect the fact that motorcyclists will still be taking the old test or the difference refunded to motorcyclists who had booked the new test and who will now have to take the old test.

Motorcyclists who had already booked tests amounts to 10,000 and based on the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) figures for tests booked during the same period in 2007/8 it is reasonable to assume a further 38,000 tests could be taken during the six month postponement period.

This means that potentially UK motorcyclists could be overcharged by £800,000!

Disgraceful!

The shadow Transport Minister, Robert Goodwill, has stated, “I don’t think Dick Turpin would have got away with it”

So on that basis a petition has been set up on the Prime Minister’s website which you can sign by clicking here

Also leave your comments below.