LEARNER motorcyclist Laura Guard has called for consistency in tests after she failed hers because an L-plate was too small. ‘What upset me the most was the fact this was my third test and this was the first time the L-plate was mentioned as a problem,’ she said.

‘It was the inconsistency of it that annoyed me. It was only half-an-inch too small and it was the exact same size as the first two tests.’

By law, the plates should not be cut down and cannot cover or sit behind the number plate.

But Miss Guard said her bike’s design made it impossible for learners to comply.

Most had their L-plate partially behind the number plate, she said.

‘I had had two previous tests and my L-plates had not been picked up on at all. I felt completely set up to fail. I was so upset and completely raging because they made no attempt to help me solve the problem.

‘It cost me £35 and I will have to pay to take the test again. I’m very angry.’

Miss Guard’s call for consistency was backed by Trev’s Motorcycles owner Trevor Hockey, who said motorcyclists were discriminated against.

‘The L-plate is not the problem, but the examiners’ attitude is,’ he said.

‘They say they are just going by the rules but they are discriminating against motorcyclists because if they are sticking to the rules, then cars should put L-plates on a vertical surface but they don’t. L-plates are always put on the bonnet.’

He said common sense was needed.

‘Some people take the mickey and cut the L-plates down too much, which I don’t condone,’ he said.

‘I just think they should be allowed to be cut down to a practical size. The police take a practical approach to it, but the examiners don’t.’

Environment minister David De Lisle said Guernsey’s policy was similar to the UK’s and Jersey’s.

‘The driving examiners are fully entitled to fail a candidate if the vehicle is not presented in a roadworthy condition, is not taxed or insured or is not displaying the correctly sized and properly mounted L-plates,’ he said.

‘Where possible, the examiner will give the candidate time to correct any minor imperfections. However, this cannot be allowed to delay the start of the driving test, as it would have a knock-on effect on all tests for the remainder of the day.

‘The department and its examiners have operated this policy for many years but have recently found an increase in the number of motorcyclists who are not conforming to this requirement.’