Motorcycle Safety Factsheet Sep2010

Motorcycle safety initiatives
Key rules for motorcycle riders:

1. Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme
2. Pillion passenger restrictions for
learner riders
3. Requirements to display a P plate
1. Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme

A Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAM
scheme) is now operating in Queensland. Under
the scheme, class RE licence holders are only able
to ride motorcycles that are LAM scheme approved.
Learner riders (holders of a Queensland class RE
learner licence) are also only able to ride
motorcycles that are LAM scheme approved.

Why is the type of motorcycle that a class RE
licence holder is authorised to ride changing?
A 250 ml limitation was introduced in Queensland
when a small capacity engine generally related to
the performance of the motorcycle. Due to
advancements in technology, this is no longer the
case and a number of modern 250ml motorcycles
have performance capabilities that are not suitable
for inexperienced riders. The LAM scheme will
replace the current 250ml engine capacity limit
applied to class RE licence holders.

The introduction of the LAM scheme provides
consistency between Queensland and other
Australian states.

What is a class RE motorcycle?
A class RE motorcycle is a learner approved
motorcycle, including a moped.

What is a learner approved motorcycle?
A learner approved motorcycle is a production
motorcycle that is fitted with an electric motor, or
has an internal combustion engine with an engine
capacity of not more than 660ml and:
has a power-to-weight ratio of not more than
150kW per tonne
that has not been modified other than for an
allowable modification
that is stated to be a learner approved
motorcycle in a list kept by the chief executive
and published on the departments website at
www.tmr.qld.gov.au.

What is the power-to-weight ratio of a
motorcycle?
The power-to-weight ratio is obtained by dividing
the maximum engine power by the sum of the tare
mass of the motorcycle plus 90kg and multiplying
the answer by 1,000 expressed as kilowatts per
tonne.

How is the power-to-weight ratio of a
motorcycle worked out?
The motorcycles maximum engine power in
kilowatts is divided by the prescribed weight of the
motorcycle then multiplied by 1,000 for conversion
to kilowatts per tonne. The prescribed weight of the
motorcycle means the tare mass, in kilograms, of
the motorcycle plus 90kg, that is:

Example:
The power-to-weight ratio of a motorcycle that has
a maximum engine power of 54kW and a tare mass
of 360kg is calculated by dividing 54kW by the sum
of 360kg and 90kg (that is, 450kg) and multiplying
the product of the division by 1,000. In this
example, the power-to-weight ratio is 120kW/t.

54 kW
(360 kg +90 kg)

What is a production motorcycle?
A production motorcycle is a motorcycle that is
manufactured and marketed in volume for normal
road use and conforms with the requirements that
apply to the motorcycle under vehicle law.

A production motorcycle may be modified and still
be considered a learner approved motorcycle,
provided the modification is an allowable
modification.

What is an allowable modification?
An allowable modification is a modification that is
approved under the Transport Operations (Road
Maximum Engine Power (kW) x 1000 =Kilowatts per tonne (kW/t)
Prescribed Weight (kg)

Use Management Vehicle Standards and
Safety) Regulation 2010.

The modification may either be to the seating
capacity of the motorcycle or a modification
designed to enable a person with a physical
impairment to ride the motorcycle. However,
it does not include a modification that increases the
maximum engine power of the motorcycle.

How is a learner approved motorcycle
identified?
The departments website will list those
motorcycles that are learner approved motorcycles.
Whilst most motorcycles with an engine capacity of
less than 250ml will be considered a learner
approved motorcycle, those that have a power-to-
weight ratio of more than 150kW per tonne are
excluded. There will be an additional list that will
help identify those motorcycles that are not a
learner approved motorcycle.

The vehicle registration label will help identify the
motorcycle as being a learner approved motorcycle
with the exception of a production motorcycle that
is conditionally registered.

Which motorcycles are prescribed
motorcycles?
The following six models of motorcycles, although
250ml or under, have been identified as a
prescribed motorcycle, and are not learner
approved motorcycle:
Aprilia RS250
Honda NSR250
Kawasaki KR250 (KR-1 model)
Kawasaki KR250 (KR1s model)
Suzuki RGV250
Yamaha TZR250.

Why have these prescribed motorcycles been
excluded from the learner approved motorcycle
list?
These motorcycles are capable of high speed and
rapid acceleration. They are regarded as being
unsuitable for inexperienced riders due to their
sports style power delivery, handling and riding
position

What class of licence will I need to ride a
prescribed motorcycle?
You will need a class R licence to ride a prescribed
motorcycle.

What class of licence do I need to ride a
conditionally registered motorcycle that is not a
production motorcycle?
You need a class R licence to ride a conditionally
registered motorcycle that is not a production
motorcycle.

Are there any changes to the types of
motorcycles I can ride under a class R licence?
No. You can still ride a motorcycle of any engine
capacity including a learner approved motorcycle
and a moped.

When can I learn to ride a class R motorcycle?
You may learn to ride a class R motorcycle after
you have held a class RE motorcycle licence
(excluding a learner licence) for at least one year.

When can I learn to ride a class R motorcycle?
You may learn to ride a class R motorcycle after
you have held a class RE motorcycle licence
(excluding a learner licence) for at least one year.

What will happen if I am found riding a class R
motorcycle unaccompanied and I only hold a
class RE licence?
You may receive an infringement notice or be
required to appear in a court for unlicensed driving.
If you are convicted of unlicensed driving the court
may impose a fine of up to $4,400.

Is a moped a learner approved motorcycle?
Yes.
2. Pillion passenger restrictions for
learner riders

Am I able to carry a supervisor as a pillion
passenger on my motorcycle when learning to
ride?
No. You are not able to carry a supervisor as a
pillion passenger on your motorcycle while you are
learning to ride the motorcycle.

How can I learn to ride a motorcycle if I can not
carry my supervisor as a pillion passenger?
As a learner you are still required to be supervised
by an appropriately licensed person when riding a
motorcycle. You may only carry a supervisor
seated in a sidecar attached to the motorcycle. If
the motorcycle does not have a sidecar, the
supervisor may follow you at a safe distance on
another motorcycle or in another motor vehicle.

When will I be able to carry a passenger as a
pillion on my motorcycle?
You are only allowed to carry a passenger on a
motorcycle if you hold a provisional or open licence
that authorises you to ride that class of vehicle and
you have held that class of licence for at least one
year.

A passenger on a motorcycle includes a pillion
passenger and a person seated in a sidecar
attached to the motorcycle.

However, while learning to ride you may carry a
supervisor seated in a sidecar attached to the
motorcycle.

Why has this new passenger restriction for
learner riders been introduced?
Evidence suggests carrying passengers increases
the risk to the rider and the passenger and can lead
to more severe injuries in the event of a crash.

Carrying a pillion passenger requires more
advanced riding skills to accommodate the
passengers impact on the balance and stability of
the motorcycle. This new restriction will remove the
added burden on learner riders to allow them to
concentrate on developing basic on-road riding
skills.
3. Requirement to display a P plate

Am I required to display a 'P' plate on a
motorcycle?
Yes, you are required to display a P plate on a
motorcycle if you hold a class RE or R motorcycle
P1 or P2 type licence.

The requirement to display a P plate on a
motorcycle (including mopeds) will continue until
you upgrade to an open type licence.

If you are the holder of an open driver licence and
obtain an RE or R class motorcycle licence, you will
not be required to display a P plate.

What colour 'P' plate will I be required to display
when riding my motorcycle?
Similar to the requirements to displaying 'P' plates
on cars, P1 licence holders will be required to
display a red P plate and P2 licence holders must
display a green P plate on the rear of the
motorcycle, or on the back of a vest worn by the
rider.

Will I need to display a 'P' plate on the front and
rear of my motorcycle?
No. Similar to the current requirements for display
of an 'L' plate on a motorcycle, you will only need to
display a 'P' plate on the rear of the motorcycle.

Where can I find more information?
For a full list of learner approved motorcycles,
information regarding the Learner Approved
Motorcycle Scheme, how to apply for a class RE or
R licence, and other motorcycle rules visit
www.motorcyclesafety.qld.gov.au or call 13 23 80.

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Motorcycle safety initiatives

Key rules for motorcycle riders:

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