Motorcycle and 16 year old?

bestpud

My son is 16 and has just bought a brand new scooter. He has a provisional licence and will be starting his training later this month.

The bike shop will not deliver the scooter until it is taxed (and therefore insured) but does anyone know if he is able to get insurance before he passes the required training?

He obviously can't take it on the road until he's passed his test but would like to use it off-road to practice meanwhile (he does have somewhere to do this!)

Anyone know if this is possible, or will he have to leave it with the shop until he's roadworthy? The bike shop did not tell him (or my mum who was with him when he bought it) that he would need these documents before they could deliver so he's a bit stuck now!

Thanks in advance

Bestpud

adouglasmhor

Tell them to deliver it or you aren't paying - it's not up to them to enforce the insurance laws! If he owns it they can't keep it.

bestpud

I thought car sellers at least are legally responsible for ensuring cars are taxed before they let them go? Is it not the same for bikes?

adouglasmhor

Not if you tow it away on a trailer, same for a bike if you stick it into a van or estate car. You will need to SORN it though if you are keeping it off road until he passes his CBT test.

bestpud

They are going to deliver it. It was arranged for today but they refused to leave it when he didn't have the documents. He was a bit annoyed as they didn't say anything when he ordered or paid for it and he obviously had his heart set on getting it today.

Can he SORN it before it's ever been taxed?

Sorry if I'm being dim, it was a lot simpler than this when I was 16 and had a scooter!

Conor_3

I think I'd be exercising my rights as a consumer, DEMANDING my money back and spending it elsewhere.

Keith

Has your son passed his CBT? There is no need to practice for this and if he was too get on the bike chances are he may take it on the road. The dealer probably knows this and are trying to force your son and protect their reputation.

The way you describe CBT is as if it a difficult exam, it is a simple day of training, can your son not find another bike school to do it with earlier?

I'd expect a brand new scooter to come with at least tax anyway.

bestpud

No, he hasn't got his CBT - he's booked it for the 14th August so not too long anyway.

He doesn't want to practice as such but has never even sat on a scooter or motorbike and fears he will fall off and make a prat of himself in front of others doing the training at the same time! :rolleyes: (He has been told it's unlikely!)

I don't think he would take it on the road as he is very aware of the possible consequences and he hasn't got long to wait anyway, but I can see what you mean. Still seems a bit unfair if it's not a legal requirement though and the bike has been paid for in full.

I thought it should be taxed too (being new) and it was insurance they were insisting he had. I just thought it may be tax as I know you can't take a car away without it now (perhaps we never could but I thought car dealers had a legal duty now to ensure people were 'legal' before they drive off).

He doesn't actually live with us at the moment so I'm not personally involved in it but will ask my parents to clarify it with the bike shop I think.

cm233lh

You'll need insurance to take the CBT. They'll check the documents on the day. Just buy a policy and arrange for the bike to be delivered to the training centre. He can't ride it there until he's taken the training, so there's no point having it delivered to home.

DNKPets

One thing to consider here is that while it is in the bike shop it is their responsibility to look after it. Once it is delivered it is his. If / when it gets stolen and it is not insured then all is lost. If I remember correctly it is possible to insure the bike before doing a cbt but obviously you cannot use it. Sorry to state the obvious but at some point someone will attemt to steal his pride and joy. That is the sad state of this country we live in unfortunately.

Derek

bestpud

Yes, theft was my biggest concern really. It will be locked in a back garden shed and I'm going to suggest he gets a chain for it too.

He won't be using his bike for the training and won't be taking it on the road. He has access to off road areas where he can just get a feel for it iyswim. I'm sure he will have no difficulty (any more than anyone else on the course anyway) but he's very worried he'll make a prat of himself (16 and not wanting to lose face and all that! :rolleyes: ).

I don't think he realises he will need insurance for the training - is that still that case if he uses their bike?

We're going to ring a couple of insurance companies today and get some quotes. Can anyone recommend one which is a bit more sympathetic to 16 year olds without any experience or no claims bonus?