A1, A2 and A driving licence: all the news

From 2 January 2019, the new method of carrying out exams for motorcycle and moped licenses (A1, A2 and A) published last 12 October in the Official Journal will be active. The date of entry into force, announced a circular from the ministry, has been postponed by accepting the request of Confarca (the Italian confederation representing driving schools) to adapt the tracks supplied to the driving schools and those of the provincial offices and therefore to postpone its coming into force early next year.

A1, A2 and A driving licence: all the news

"In fact, the circular specifies that the new exam methodology will start on 2 January 2019, fulfilling what was hoped for in the interest of the category and of the candidates who presumably will not suffer delays in carrying out the exams – reports the Confarca in a note sent to its members – The new exam route reduces the necessary spaces by approximately 40 meters compared to what was foreseen in 2013 for the test at 50 km/h and introduces the obligation to wear at least a CB (Central Back Protector) type back protector for carrying out the tests. What we find important to clarify regarding this new discipline is that the need to adopt a new examination methodology was not dictated either by a 'whim' of the General Motorization Directorate, nor by requests from the Association, as some colleagues have written on social media or said in the corridors of provincial offices, but it was a question of respecting an obligation imposed by the European Union with Directive 2006/126 ".

In fact, Confarca recalls that "in the first months of the year our country was warned by the European Union that it was subject to infringement proceedings, as the category A exams were not held according to the regulatory provisions”. In this regard Confarca thought it appropriate to suggest "a solution that marries everyone's interests, not least those of road safety", bearing in mind that with the track currently in use and adapted for 50 kilometers per hour "there have been considerable difficulties especially with the A1 category, in addition to a high level of danger for category A, and that the same test required objective data to be able to demonstrate the achievement of the expected speed". "We therefore looked for a solution that guaranteed both the European dictate and the needs of the category, without increasing the cost gap between private candidates and those from driving schools, and that the exam was feasible, but above all managed to demonstrate the correct preparation of the aspiring motorcyclist – concludes the note -. After analyzing various solutions and also asking colleagues from other European countries, it seemed to us that the methodology adopted in Spain was more practicable than others".