Calls to ban delivery drivers with L plates

Motorcyclists without a full driving licence could be banned from working as delivery drivers in London.

Last month the London Assembly passed a motion calling on the government to prohibit the use of provisional licences for commercial work, to improve road safety.

Currently moped drivers can become fast food delivery drivers once they have obtained their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate, which remains valid for two years and can be renewed repeatedly without any requirement to progress to a full driving test.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) had consulted on reforms to the CBT and it was analysing the responses.

A CBT certificate allows a rider to use a moped with an engine size of up to 125cc, as long as they use learner plates.

Thomas Turrell, Conservative London Assembly member who proposed the motion, said the CBT "wasn't built for indefinite use" and described the practice as a "menace to the road".

"The CBT was built as a way for people to learn the roads and build up that knowledge," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has previously called for a reform of the CBT.

In 2022, the Labour mayor told the London Assembly he "firmly" believed the current CBT was "not fit for purpose" and was "not an appropriate level of qualification, particularly for those driving for work".

He added that Transport for London could not mandate couriers to ride on a full licence, and that these powers lie at a national level.

Earlier this year ministers launched a consultation on changes to moped and motorcycle training, which could involve CBT certificate reform.

Rebecca Paul, the MP for Reigate, tried to amend the Crime and Policing Act, passed in April, to ban learner moped drivers from undertaking commercial activity using the roads. However, it was unsuccessful.

Louie French, the MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, said: "The Labour government has 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."

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."

Turrell said the biggest barrier to reform could be "pushback" from major employers such as Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber.

A Just Eat spokesperson said: "The safety of all road users is extremely important to Just Eat."

"We actively support stronger regulation and robust enforcement to tackle modified e-bikes and requiring moped riders to have a full licence.

"We remain committed to working with authorities and our industry peers to ensure the roads are safe for all users."

Deliveroo and Uber Eats have been contacted for comment.

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