KUALA LUMPUR: The government's plan to allow B1 and B2 motorcycle licence holders of more than10 years to upgrade to a B licence starting this October has raised concerns on safety and skills of the riders in handling high-powered motorcycles.

Road safety consultant at Myridesafe Consultancy, Tengku Ahmad Marwan Tengku Mahmud, said driving tests were not only about obtaining motorcycle or car licences, but to ensure that learners received adequate training in handling certain vehicles.

He added that the concerns also lay in the quality of the training provided.

"Riding low-powered and high-powered motorcycles are two different things. The proposed requirement to only have two hours of practical training and another two for theory is not sufficient.

"Even with 10 years' experience riding low-powered motorcycles, it also does not mean that a rider will have enough skills to handle high-powered motorcycles after receiving such short training at the driving institute," he said.

On Friday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced a special transition programme for B1 and B2 motorcycle licence holders to obtain the B licence starting October. 

Loke said the programme was open to individuals who have actively held a B1 or B2 licence for a continuous period of at least 10 years.

The applicant must be free from any blacklist, outstanding summons, transaction restrictions, serious criminal record or any unresolved matters under the Road Transport Act 1987, and must confirm their physical and mental health through self-declaration.

Tengku Ahmad Marwan said in terms of safety, he did not see how the upgrade could improve the quality of road users.

"We want to focus on enhancing the quality of road users and motorcyclists who have just obtained their licences, not merely making it easy for people to get a licence.

"We think that this is not a good move in the efforts to reduce accidents and fatalities on the roads.

"Hence, we hope the government does not implement a new policy just for the sake of doing it.

"When implementing something (a policy), we hope that they (the government) have conducted thorough study on the potential negative or positive impacts of the policy."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/1086511/b-licence-upgrade-rider-skills-safety-concern-says-expert