Campaigners are calling for learner drivers to be banned from working as delivery drivers in London, potentially impacting thousands of riders.
Members of the London Assembly have called on the Government to take steps to ban motorcyclists without a full driving licence from working as delivery drivers.
It passed a motion in July that calls for a prohibition on the use of provisional licences for commercial work.
Moped drivers can work as delivery drivers if they have obtained a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate.
While it must be renewed after two years, this can be done repeatedly and doesn’t require the driver to pass a full driving test.
Motorists with a CBT can use a moped with a 125cc engine, although they must use learner plates, which have become a common sight across the capital in recent years.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Conservative London Assembly member Thomas Turrell reiterated calls to ban the practice.
He said the CBT should be, and was never intended to be, used permanently, adding that the loophole was a “menace to the road”.
Politicians are calling for a crackdown on delivery riders using L plates without getting a full licence
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Mr Turrell added: “You’ve got people who are now working into delivery drivers, commercially working on the roads.
“This is not a qualification to drive on the road. We’ve got to end that practice.
“If I’m in Bromley Town Centre, and I’m going home, I will see multiple offences on the way home, L plate motorbikes mounting the pavement, for example.”
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has previously backed measures, claiming that the CBT “does not work” and “is not fit for purpose”.
Drivers can get a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate without needing to make progress towards a full licence
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PASpeaking to the London Assembly in October 2022, Sir Khan said responsible businesses should recognise that riders using a CBT were posing a serious threat to road users.
Despite his willingness to change the practice, progress has been slow, while national politicians have also been unsuccessful in introducing new rules.
Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Louie French attempted to include a crackdown on the CBT loophole by adding an amendment to the Crime and Policing Act, although this was rejected.
It aimed to ban learner moped drivers from undertaking commercial activity using the roads, but was unsuccessful.
Sir Sadiq Khan previously called for reforms to the CBT practice
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GB NEWSHe criticised Labour and accused them of having “lost control” of delivery drivers “abusing” the L plate system.
“The Government must urgently grip this situation to ensure that all delivery drivers are working here legally and are not endangering other road users,” Mr French said.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “As part of our road safety strategy, the DVSA consulted on reforms to moped and motorcycle training and testing, including whether there should be a time limit on CBT certification.
“We are now analysing the responses, with the aim of improving safety and modernising motorcycling.”