Piaggio MP3 LT 400 scooter

Good news for drivers looking to cut their commuting times and reduce their bills! Scooter firm Piaggio has adapted its three-wheeler MP3 so it can be ridden by anyone holding a full driving licence – without having to sit the costly motorcycle test.

The firm has increased the distance between the two front wheels, extended the indicators and added a footbrake, so the new 400cc LT now falls into the B1 category for three and four-wheelers under 550kg. That means novices can ride it.

The extra-wide Italian offers a great feeling of stability. This is supported by the powerful brakes, which can be applied using the handlebar levers or the pedal. The downside is that the footbrake limits the options for resting your feet. This can make long runs uncomfortable, although a bigger screen than on the standard MP3 makes up for this by reducing buffeting.

There’s a large under-seat storage area, but it isn’t shaped to easily hold helmets. We spent ages struggling to stow ours – it fared much better with our laptop bag.

The MP3’s clever design has opened up scooter commuting to many more drivers. But at £6,499, it’s not a cheap option.

 * Contact: 00800 818 29800, www.piaggio-scooters.co.uk

 * Problems? Expensive, poor helmet storage, compromised rider comfort.

 * So why buy? Can be run by anyone with a driver’s licence, confidence-inspiring handling and braking, easy to ride in traffic.