This question stems from another topic I have running and concerns riding in East and West Europe on provisional bike licences?
I recieved a reply that said provisional entitlement was only valid in the home country of licence issue?
I have a full UK car licence from the Isle of Man which doesn’t say anything about only being provisional for the UK. I’ve also got an international car licence as well, but can anyone tell me if these are only be valid in the UK for provisional riding on a 125? The reply I got seemed to think it would invalidate my insurance, being unlicenced.

Surely european countries must have some sort of provisional licence system, else how are there so many kids knocking about on scooters? If I’m not wrong the directive that brought in the Direct Access test to the UK is an EU wide scheme, which would mean that provisional licensing, similar to full licences, are being standardised? Also, how is it possible for so many British tourists to go abroad in the EU and hire scooters without bike licences?

Does anyone have an authoritative answer to this one?

Also, I was wondering about insurance for Eastern Europe, Romania, Bulgaria, etc… mine only seems to cover Western Europe, any tips?

Cheers for any advice.

James.

I thought a provisional licence for a certain type of vehicle only covered you in your home country of issue, hence not being allowed to go abroad without having passed your test?

Insurance - should be easy to get proper insurance to cover just about anywhere in Europe west of the Urals. Both my g/f & myself are insured through Mitchell & Partners ( www.mitch.co.uk ) albeit by different companies. Mine covers me for Slovenia but hers does not, although it could be arranged for an extra fee. Mitchell & Partners also offer a good European Breakdown policy (Silver Knight) that covers most places west of the Urals. I used it last September in Germany when I had to hire an R1150RT - they paid the cost of £385.00, best £37.00 I've spent.

Hope this helps, BTW I'm not connected to Mitchell & Partners.

Steve

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Thanks for the info on the insurance.

Still no authoritative comment on the liecences?

If its the case that licences only cover you provisionally for your home country how is it possible to hire scooters all around the european med? Surely it would be illegal for such companies to rent them out?

Someone out there must know for sure?

...afraid I can't be authorative either, but here's my take on the license.

The word provisional means you are in the process of obtaining a license, and that this allows you to ride certain bikes here in the UK/Isle of Man to help get you trained and FULLY licensed.

However, outside of the UK you will be considered unlicensed to drive any bike unaided - you are not licensed to drive!

Having said that, there is a good chance this will not be picked up on ( a friend of mine used a provis license in the US without problem ) although you are taking a risk.

have you tried the www.dvla.gov.uk site?

I think you can e-mail them, too. I'd recommend you get an explanation in writing rather than on the phone from our bureaucrats. If you do phone, leave it an hour or so and phone again to see if you get the same advice - then once more to be safe.

Trust me on that one - that is 100% authorative!!!

Thanks John...

So basically all these Brit tourists (and I included myself - in the past) who go and hire scooters in the "costa del piss-head" or wherever are all riding illegally?
How come more don't get locked up more often? And why aren't these places banned or more stringent? I guess they're just chancing it?

Thanks for the advice on the DVLA, we don't have such a thing in the IOM, just the registry office, so I think I'll send them an email and see what they say...

Anyone know the cheapest way to do a direct access test in the UK?

Thanks again

James.