The Palaszczuk Government is changing motorcycle licencing to improve the skills and safety of Queensland riders and better prepare them for their time on road.
Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said changes to the competency based testing and licensing requirements would boost safety for one of the most vulnerable groups on the roads.
“Motorcycle riders and passengers continue to be over-represented in the road toll,” Mr Bailey said.
“The figures are unacceptable and highlight the need for us to review and reform the motorcycle licensing system in Queensland.”
The changes were founded on community and industry feedback and included implementing a minimum learner licence period.
“We carried out an extensive the public consultation process last year, which included looking at crash data, reviewing road safety research and looking at practices in other States and jurisdictions,” Mr Bailey said.
The reforms include:
- An off-road practical pre-learner training and assessment course (increasing the required number of courses to obtain an R licence from two to three)
- A minimum learner licence period of three months for all learner riders
- The extension of the minimum RE (restricted) licence period to two years
- Removing the restriction prohibiting R licence holders from carrying a passenger for the first year
- A stronger emphasis on riding behaviour and higher order skills in Q-Ride courses, and greater standardisation in the course curriculum
The changes will be rolled out from October 2016.
For more information, visit: www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Motorcycle-safety/Motorcycle-safety-initiatives.
