Scooter News Queenland Licence Update The Queensland Licence debate heats up and we grab a simplified update on the changes we can expect.
Brendon Watson Scooter HQ The two wheeled industry in Queensland is bracing itself for a raft
of changes to the Scooter & Motorcycle licensing system. The
Queensland Government created the Travelsafe Committee to review &
implement improvements to the system. The latest changes of particular
interest to Queensland scooter riders include;
- Introduction of LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme).
Allows learner riders to ride approved scooters or bikes up to 660cc
within a certain power to weight limit. LAMS has been operating
successfully in other states like NSW.
- All Learner or Provisional riders to display L or P plates
- Learners no longer able to carry instructor as a pillion
The current Queensland licensing system issues motorcycle licences
in automatic, manual, RE (under 250cc) & R (Over 250cc) formats.
Many existing RE Licensed riders (under 250cc) were waiting to hear
whether they would automatically qualify for LAMS approved bikes &
scooters or need to sit another test on a larger machine to upgrade. In
a controversial move existing RE licence holders will automatically be
able to ride LAMS approved machines. This has created much debate with
existing RE licence holders happy at the ability to ride larger
capacity bikes & scooters without further testing. Many within the
industry do not share this enthusiasm arguing these riders were trained
under a different system, not on the larger machines.
In a move that has frustrated the masses, those such as students &
younger riders wanting to obtain a motorcycle/scooter learners permit
are still required to have held a car licence (Provisional) for a year
before getting a motorcycle learners permit. This is placing many people in a
situation where they either buy a car or a limited to 50km/h 50cc LA
class scooter. A cheap to run extremely capable 125cc scooter is not an
option for a great deal of people who wish to choose this method of
transport.
To further compound the problem for these people forced to ride a
50cc scooter on a car licence cannot obtain training for the 50cc
scooter while they are on a car L (remember they can't get a bike L)
this is because Q-Ride accredited rider training schools cannot
take students unless they hold a motorcycle learners permit or better.
While the situation is not perfect the changes place us in a better
position than we were before. The Travelsafe Committee is set to
continue the evolution of the Queensland licensing system announcing it
is paying particular attention to Scooters over the next 12 months.
Unless we let the decision makers know the position of the
scooterist they will not be able to improve the situation for us. We
have the changes for the 1st July 2009 announced, the next raft of changes
will be directly aimed at the Queensland scooterist with changes likely
to take effect 1st July 2010.
The question is will the Queensland scooterist have provided the Travelsafe Committee with the information they need?
This from the Queensland Transport website
Safety for motorcyclists is a serious issue and one that the Queensland
Government is committed to addressing. During 2008, there were 72
fatalities as a result of crashes involving motorcycles within
Queensland, which represented approximately 22 per cent of the
Queensland road toll.
With
motorcycle usage growing in popularity (currently just over 150,000
registrations) and motorcyclists being more vulnerable to injury than
other road users, the Queensland Government has introduced the Queensland Motorcycle Safety Strategy 2009-2012 (PDF**, 848KB), a blueprint for motorcycle safety over the next four years.
It outlines a range of range of safety initiatives (PDF**, 21KB) to
address the unacceptably high level of motorcycle-related crashes. The
initiatives also ensure greater consistency between Queensland and
other states.
The strategy was developed in consultation
with key stakeholders and the public, following community consultation
on a range of safety initiatives proposed in the Department of
Transport and Main Roads (formerly Queensland Transport) Motorbike safety in Queensland — Consultation Paper.
While
the strategy targets one particular group of road users, it forms part
of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (formerly Queensland
Transport) Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2008-09
which outlines a range of safety initiatives to reduce the road toll
amongst all road users. The two-year prevention plan was developed in
collaboration with key road safety partners, the Queensland Police
Service and the former Department of Main Roads. It builds on the
Queensland Government’s strong approach to tackling road safety issues.
published 2/06/2009 |