Liberal Democrat Wales spokesman Mark Williams sets out his concerns about the provision of motorcycle testing ahead of a parliamentary debate on the issue.
From next Monday, motorcyclists wanting to earn their licence will be subject to a new two-module test, based on EU Second Driving Licence Directive, but the lack of facilities in some parts of the country threaten to throw the system into chaos.
The practicalities of the new modular test caused the government to create a series of new facilities, to be known as Multi-Purpose Test Centres, to provide for this test.
Some 66 were originally planned throughout the UK, but when the test comes into force only 44 of these will be operational.
In October the start date of the new testing regime was put back six months because of the lack of facilities, although only five additional centres are now in place than were ready at that time.
However, even if all 66 were up and running for next week, serious concerns remain about the implications of the new test for some rural areas.
In Ceredigion, my constituency, riders face a choice between undertaking the first module in Shrewsbury or Swansea, leading to potential round-trips of up to 140 miles, raising significant issues both of convenience and safety.
Many motorcyclists have expressed to me their horror at the thought of riders potentially having to negotiate treacherous conditions over long distances through difficult rural roads, and it is deeply concerning that a test brought in to improve safety could potentially have the opposite effect.
There is a significant worry that rather than travel over 100 miles to take a test they may fail, bikers will vote with their feet and stay on a provisional licence.
That can't possibly be good for road safety. I have been told by one testing centre in Mid Wales, which will offer the second module, that not a single test has been booked for after next Wednesday.
There are, however, some positive moves towards finding better arrangements, and these need to be given time to work.
In several areas the Driving Standards Agency is working with local communities and motorcycling representatives to try and identify sites for casual testing, which would allow people to take the first module locally, though the experience of those following this route is variable.
The government must once again postpone the start date for the new test. There weren't enough testing sites in October, and there still aren't now.
Motorcycle testing needs to be safely available to all or the government risks doing the opposite of what they intended.
