LEARNER motorcyclists in Weymouth could have to travel 60 miles to take their tests when new Government measures come into effect, it was claimed today.

Instructor Karen Taylor has criticised plans to scrap testing in Dorchester and fears that it may force riders to head to Exeter for new practical exams from October.

The Driving Standards Agency is introducing multi-purpose test centres nationwide which will have facilities for a new off-road section of the motorcycle test.

Motorcyclists will have to take part in a series of off-road exercises at the start of the test and anyone deemed unsafe in this section will not be allowed to proceed to the on-road test. All learners will have to attend one of these centres.

Mrs Taylor, who runs the Weymouth-based Karen's Motorcycle Training School, said the nearest centre that would be open for testing when the regulations came into force was in Exeter.

She said: "They are proposing to have somewhere in the Poole or Bournemouth area but they haven't even got a location for the site yet.

"They have found a site big enough in Poole but they can't reach an agreement with the council. We travel to Exeter quite often on our bikes and there is no way I will be willing for learners to travel that distance."

With the new testing system, people from Weymouth could be making the 60-mile journey only to fail the first part of the test and be told they are unsafe to ride on public highways.

Mrs Taylor said the move could put people off learning in the area and would add to costs as schools might need to provide transport for people to get to the testing centre.

She said: "It's going to be a total nightmare for all of the local training schools.

"One other school is already saying that they are going to have to close in September and all of us are concerned about whether we will survive.

"I have got a youngster doing his Compulsory Basic Training and he won't turn 17 until next year.

"He is going to have no choice but to go down to Exeter on his 125cc bike or I'm going to have to hire or buy a van so I can transport my pupils down there."

Mrs Taylor added: "I think a lot more people are just going to start riding illegally and hope they can get away with it."

A spokesman for the Driving Standards Agency said that Dorchester would no longer hold motorbike tests when the new tests come in but she was unable to confirm where the alternative venue would be.

She said: "Dorchester will remain as a car testing centre but the bike testing will move because there is a new test coming in at the end of September."