The Law and You: Illegal Motorbiking
All this October in The LINC Online's Articles section, we'll be looking at The Law and You, with our guides to how the law can affect you as a young person.
In this article, we look at illegal motorbiking.
If someone rides a motorbike off-road, they are probably committing an offence and their bike can be seized by police and crushed.
If they are riding a motorbike on a road without the required documents (such as driving licence, MOT certificate or insurance), they are committing an offence. They may be prosecuted and they may have their motorbike seized.
| MOTORBIKES CAN BE CRUSHED IF PROOF OF OWNERSHIP AND THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE NOT PRODUCED WHEN ASKED FOR BY THE POLICE. |
The laws behind this
The Police Reform Act 2002 gives police officers and some police community support officers the powers to deal with people who use motorbikes in an antisocial manner, either on or off road. The police officer must have reasonable grounds for believing that a vehicle is being used in a manner which contravenes (breaks the law) section 3 or section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1998 (careless and inconsiderate driving or prohibited off-road driving)
The Road Traffic Act 1988 provides police with the power to seize motor vehicles used on a road without the required documents.
What riders / drivers MUST have
All drivers / riders must comply with British minimum age requirements: 17 years old for cars and motorbikes and 16 years old for mopeds.
All drivers / riders must have the following:
• Protective head gear when on a motorbike or moped
• Learner plates if your licence is provisional
• Driving licence
• Insurance
• MOT
• Vehicle Excise Duty (Tax)
• Registration plate
To ride a moped learners MUST:
• Be 16 or over
• Have at least a provisional licence
• Complete CBT training
You MUST pass the theory test for motorbikes and then the moped practical test to get your full moped licence.
What to do if you’re having a problem with someone using a motorbike illegally
If you are suffering from the actions of irresponsible motorcyclists you should report it to the police by calling 0161 872 5050.
It will help to have as much detail as possible including the location, people responsible and a description of the people and bikes, and of any vehicles being used to transport the motorbikes to the location. The registration number of any vans used to transport motorbikes to the location is very useful to police to help them get a successful prosecution.