Tom Burnett set up Advanced Rider Training in 2014 to provide training for motorcycle and scooter riders.
Since November 2020 he has been providing CBT tests for riders, under rolling six month verbal contracts from States of Guernsey Driver & Vehicle Licensing. But he has been told now that this will stop at the end of June, even though the waiting list to get one, according to the Guernsey Motorcycle Training Scheme’s website, is 27 weeks.
Riders can obtain a licence from the age of 14 but require a CBT certificate before they can legally ride on the roads. Mr Burnett said he had constantly been asking for approval to carry out CBT training and direct access courses but the DVL’s standard response was that it was satisfied with the current provider – Guernsey Motorcycle Training Scheme – which operates from the former St Peter Port School.
The waiting list was about 52 weeks when ART was licensed to carry out CBT certification some 16 months ago and it has done this at Les Beaucamps High School.
Mr Burnett said he had now been told that that would not continue beyond the end of June, but with no reason given. He has been told unofficially that the GMTS was moving into Les Beaucamps.
He said the GMTS had put on its website that it now had a secondary location at Les Beaucamps, but as soon as he questioned that the post was taken down and he was unable to get a response from the DVL.
‘How can some civil servant at the DVL dictate that I can no longer do CBT training?’ he said.
‘Why can’t two motorcycle training organisations operate when the waiting list for a CBT with the GMTS is still about 30 weeks?’
The GMTS was being allowed to take his facilities and put him out of business, he said. Mr Burnett said he got on well with the GMTS and thought there would be no problem with the two operating independently and there was clearly the demand. He has now written to all States members to make them aware of the situation.
‘I spent a great deal of time and resources securing a site and equipment to allow me to provide appropriate training,’ he said.
This was on the understanding that the arrangement would be made permanent if things went well. His work had been to the complete satisfaction of the DVL, Les Beaucamps High School and the students, he said.
A spokesman for the GMTS said they did not wish to comment because they were contracted to the DVL and any response should come from them.
The Guernsey Press contacted the DVL on 15 February inviting a response. Though one was promised, nothing has been received to date.
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