MOT Mulling Proposal For Automatic Upgrade Of B2 Licence to B For Motorcyclists

The MOT is reportedly mulling a proposal that seeks to grant motorcyclists with B2 licence an automatic upgrade to full-B status.

According to Bernama, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) is set to examine a proposal that seeks to allow automatic upgrade from B2 licence class to B for local motorcyclists. This was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over the weekend by the local newswire.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his views by saying that he doesn’t see any problem implementing said proposal citing that motorcyclist with B2 licences already have experience riding the machine. “I don’t think they need to go for another driving test because they are experienced riders and I also do not see the need to impose strict conditions,” he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters over the weekend that the proposal will be brought forward to the Minister of Transport (Anthony Loke) soon. (Image: Bernama)

This largely stems from a proposal submitted earlier by the president of Superbikers Association of Malaysia (SAM) Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman. Through said proposal, he suggests for an automatic upgrade from class B2 to B for motorcyclist who have not committed serious traffic offences within three years after obtaining a B2 class licence.

“I will bring it to the Minister of Transport (Anthony Loke) first, I don’t think there’s going to be a problem because it is an administrative issue only,” said Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to reporters over the weekend in the midst of flagging off the 238-bike Merdeka Kembara 66 Convoy ride organised by SAM.

Presently, the B2 class licence sees riders limited to riding motorcycles with capacities no greater than 250cc.

Presently, the Malaysian driving licence scheme see the B2 class limiting riders to motorcycles with capacities not exceeding 250cc. Class B, on the other hand, allow riders to ride any motorcycles regardless of capacity. We’ll also note that latter does bear any restriction for a rider to obtain it despite possessing no prior riding experience.

As a daily-riding motorcyclist, it is in this writer’s humble opinion that such a move wouldn’t be wise. In fact, this could cause more harm than good. Jumping out of small bikes (kapchais) and into larger capacity machines isn’t something that can be done overnight. It requires proper training to master the drastically increased power, mass, and corresponding speeds the latter type possesses.

Jumping out of a small capacity motorcycle (i.e. kapchais and scooters/mopeds) and into bigger-sized motorcycles like the ones pictured requires proper training - it can't be mastered overnight.

Instead, relevant ministries and governing bodies ought to study on how to update the archaic motorcycle licencing scheme presently enforced. Besides a particular motorcycle’s capacity, stroke cycle, power output, and weight figure, other factors such as minimum age, traffic violation history, as well as experience holding other licence classes, should be considered – similar to how the EU and the UK does.

What’s your take on this move? As always, hit the comments below – as well as our social media pages – with your thoughts on the matter…