Safety boost for motorcycle licencing system

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 our 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.”

Mr Bailey said 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.

“1,740 people and industry groups responded to the Motorcycle Licensing Discussion Paper and online survey - results were published on the TMR website in December 2015.

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

Mr Bailey said the changes would be rolled out from October 2016.

“I’d like to thank the Queenslanders and industry partners who took the time to provide feedback and help shape these reforms.

“These changes will help to ensure novice motorcycle riders have the appropriate skills, experience and attitudes to safely ride a motorcycle on our roads,” he said.

“Motorcycle licensing reforms were identified in the Palaszczuk Government’s Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, and I’m glad to be delivering this priority reform.

An advisory group is currently developing the new standardised Q-Ride course curriculum. The group consists of industry stakeholders and road safety representatives including Q-Ride providers, the Motorcycle Riders Association Queensland, the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q), RACQ and QPS.

For more information visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Motorcycle-safety/Motorcycle-safety-initiatives.

ENDS

Media Contact:          Anna Jabour              0429 890 942