Road Traffic And Vehicles Citation, commencement and interpretation 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and shall come into operation on 19th January 2013 immediately after the coming into operation of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 . 2 The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly. Amendment of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 2 1 The Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3). 2 In Article 19 (speed limit on vehicles required to display or displaying distinguishing mark required on vehicles driven by holders of provisional licences)— a in paragraph (1) for “Subject to paragraph (2),” substitute “Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3),”; and b after paragraph (2) insert— 3 Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who drives a category A2 motorcycle or a category A motorcycle while under the supervision of an approved motorcycle instructor or while taking a test of competence prescribed by virtue of Article 5(3). 4 In paragraph (3) “approved motorcycle instructor”, “category A2 motorcycle” and “category A motorcycle” have the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996. . 3 In Article 19A (restrictions on newly qualified drivers)— a in paragraph (5)(b) at the beginning insert “subject to paragraph (5A),”; and b after paragraph (5) insert— 5A The restriction specified in paragraph (5)(b) does not apply to a person who after 18th January 2013 has passed a test of competence prescribed by virtue of Article 5(3) in the driving of a category A2 motorcycle or category A motorcycle. 5B In paragraph (5A) “category A2 motorcycle” and “category A motorcycle” have the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996. . Amendment of the Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 3 1 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (9). 2 In regulation 2(1) (interpretation) after the definition of “B1 vehicle” insert— “category A motorcycle” means a motor bicycle— of a power exceeding 35 kilowatts or with a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.2 kilowatts per kilogram; or of a power not exceeding 3.5 kilowatts with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kilowatts per kilogram and derived from a vehicle of more than double its power; . 3 In regulation 6 (minimum ages for holding or obtaining licences) for paragraph (1H) substitute— 1H For the age of 24 in relation to item 3C there is substituted— a the age of 20 in the case of a person holding a Community licence authorising the driving of vehicles in category A; and b the age of 17 in a case where a person— i passes an appropriate driving test after 18th January 2013 on a category A or A2 motorcycle; and ii was entitled before 19th January 2013, to a licence to drive a motor bicycle with an engine having a maximum net power output exceeding 25 kilowatts or a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.16 kilowatts per kilogram. . 4 In regulation 27 (further requirements at test) for paragraph (5A) substitute— 5A A person submitting himself for a special manoeuvres test or a practical test for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle of a class included in the category specified in column (1) of the Table shall before the test commences, unless he is exempt from the requirement imposed by Article 5(2A) of the Order, produce to the examiner a valid certificate furnished under regulation 47G(1) or 47G(1A) showing the successful completion of an approved training course in the category of vehicle specified in column (2) of the Table or a valid certificate corresponding to such a certificate furnished under the law of Great Britain. Column (1) Category of vehicle Column (2) Category of vehicle shown on certificate AM P, AM, A1, A2 or A A1 P, AM, A1, A2 or A A2 A2 or A A A2 or A 5 In regulation 35 (entitlement upon passing an appropriate driving test)— a in paragraph (1) for “, and (4)” substitute “, (4) and (4A)”; b at the beginning of paragraph (4) insert “Subject to paragraph (4A),”; and c after paragraph (4) insert— 4A Where a person passes the two-part practical test on a category A2 motorcycle the disqualification is deemed to have expired additionally in relation to all classes of vehicle included in category A unless that test is passed on a vehicle with automatic transmission, in which case the disqualification shall be deemed to have expired only in relation to such classes of motor vehicle included in category A as have automatic transmission. . 6 In regulation 47B (nature and conduct of training courses)— a at the beginning of paragraph (1) insert “Subject to paragraph (4),”; b at the beginning of paragraph (2) insert “Subject to paragraph (4),”; and c after paragraph (3) add— 4 A training course for riders of category A2 or A motorcycles shall, where the rider has prior to 19th January 2013 successfully completed an approved training course in accordance with paragraph (1) and has a valid certificate issued under regulation 47G, comprise only of element (E) as set out in Module 3 of the course. . 7 In regulation 47G (evidence of successful completion of course)— a at the beginning of paragraph (1) insert “Subject to paragraph (1A),”; b after paragraph (1) insert— 1A Where an approved motorcycle instructor conducts element (E) as set out in Module 3 of the course under regulation 47B(4) he shall furnish a person who successfully completes element (E) with a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 10B and signed by him upon production of the certificate previously issued. ; c in paragraph (2) for “under paragraph (1)” substitute “under paragraph (1) or (1A)”; and d in paragraph (3) for “under paragraph (1)” substitute “under paragraph (1) or (1A)”. 8 In regulation 47H (exemptions from Part IVA)— a in paragraph (1) for “a person who” substitute “a person who rides a category A1 motorcycle and who”; b for paragraph (3) substitute— 3 Subject to paragraph (5), Articles 5(2A) and 14(3)(b) of the Order shall not apply to a person who has held for a period of not less than two years a full licence for a category A1 motorcycle in respect of a test of competence to drive a category A2 or category A motorcycle. ; c omit paragraph (4); d in paragraph (5) for “paragraphs (3) and (4)” substitute “paragraph (3)”; and e in paragraph (6) after “category P” insert “or category AM”. 9 In Schedule 10A (elements of an approved training course), in Module 3— a in paragraph (1) after “safely” insert “at up to the legal speed limit for the motorcycle category—”; b in item (h) omit “and”; c in item (i) after “obstructions;” insert “and”; and d after item (i) add— j overtaking, where the opportunity arises. . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 13 th December 2012 Iain Greenway A senior officer of the Department of the Environment