RACQ Calls For Overhaul Of Motorcycle Licensing In Queensland

Peter Anderson | Aug 27, 2012

The RACQ is calling on the Queensland Government to consider a complete overhaul of the state's motorcycle licensing process.

The body says that "piecemeal" changes over the last six years are failing to identify and remedy safety problems in motorcycling safety.

"The former Queensland Parliamentary Travelsafe Committee held an enquiry into Q-RIDE motorcycle licensing in 2006 and there was a motorcycle safety discussion paper in 2008," RACQ Senior Road Safety Advisor Joel Tucker said.

"It is time to revisit some of the recommendations from those enquiries."

Statistics show that an average of sixty motorcycle riders and pillion passengers were killed each year between 2006 and 2010.

Under current legislation, those wishing to obtain a motorcycle licence have two options open to them: Q-RIDE and Q-SAFE.

Each of the options have different rules around how long a learner's permit is held before attempting to secure a provisional licence.

Q-RIDE mandates a six month period, while Q-SAFE does not require a minimum term.

"We’d like to see alignment of the minimum learner licence period for Q-RIDE and Q-SAFE test participants, because this was another recommendation from the Travelsafe Committee," Mr Tucker said.

Off-road pre-learner training - similar to Victoria and NSW - had been previously recommended, but not adopted.

The RACQ will recommend a logbook of learner hours be kept, a similar system used by a number of states for learner drivers.

"While novice motorcycle riders may be familiar with Queensland’s road environment as car drivers, we’re concerned about their inexperience on motorcycles because they offer very little physical protection if there is a crash," Mr Tucker said.

After making a submission to the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee last month, the RACQ will today be giving evidence and making their recommendations at a public hearing on motorcycle safety.

Filed under: road safety, queensland, racq, motorcycles, News, q-safe, q-ride, peter anderson

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  • Trevski says,
    10 months ago
    Motorcycle licensing in Australia in general is a bit of a joke.

    The "off-road pre-learner" training in NSW is a 2 half-day (3.5 hours each) instructor lead course on a flat car park at walking pace, only half that time is spent on a motorcycle practising. This isn't really enough time to include techniques that equip a novice rider for handling or stopping (there's an "emergency break" from no more than 20Km/h) a motorcycle at 80Km/h, the legal maximum speed for an L-plater in NSW.

    Once you turn up to this course, complete a computer test you're free to ride out on public roads at up to 80Km/h. Better than Queensland, but not by much.
  • MotoWebbi says,
    10 months ago
    1 like
    Nice accompanying pic TMR! Never let an opportunity go by to re-inforce negativity stereotypes about motorcyclists.
    • Balthazaaaargh says,
      10 months ago
      1 like
      Oh boo-hoo.
  • mike says,
    10 months ago
    this is ridiculous, I myself did Qride about 6 months ago, got taught much more valuable information in 6 hours of lessons (plus 5 hour qride course) conducted by an ex professional racer than I would during 6 months of learning from a friend, then passing a test which would not include emergency breaking and things like that, only simple manouvers that are in Qsafe.

    qride doesn't need changing, its the unscrupulous qride providers that are willing to roll people through with no experience on the roads who need to be stamped out
  • Freestylecab says,
    9 months ago
    I found the pre-learners course in NSW to be very valuable. I had been riding off road bikes off and on throughout my childhood so I could control a motorcycle ok on the road, the course introduced me to correct positioning and buffering on the road. This is something every new rider should be made aware of.
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