Queensland Transport Legislation Changes

Important updates for riders

This time around they have focused on passengers.

Brendon Watson

Queensalnd Transport have announced a few changes to laws governing motorcycles & Scooters. Of particular interest to Scooter riders is the change to pillion (passenger) laws for 50cc scooters being ridden on a car licence. Previously a person riding a 50cc scooter on a car licence was able to carry a pillion.

Now to carry a pillion passenger on a moped ( LA class motorcycle of less than 50cc with a manufacturer's top rated speed of 50 kilometres an hour) you need to have held either an open or provisional motorbike licence for at least one year.

Other changes include

You must sit astride the rider's seat, face forward and keep your feet on the rider's footrests, except to use a foot-operated device on the motorcycle or to remain stable when you're about to stop.
You may ride side by side with another motorcycle (in a marked lane or on a road without marked lanes) so long as you are no further than 1.5 metres apart.
You must obey the parking rules. When parking a motorcycle, position at least one wheel as close as possible to the kerb. Park a motorcycle with the side car parallel to the kerb.

If you want to carry a pillion passenger:

The pillion passenger must be eight years of age or older (except if seated in a side car).
Your motorcycle must be dual-seat registered, and your motorcycle must have passenger foot rests.
You must have held your current provisional or open motorcycle licence for that size motorcycle for at least one year.
Your passenger must be seated safely on a pillion or passenger seat, or in a side car attached to the motorcycle.
A pillion passenger on a moving motorcycle must sit astride the pillion seat and face forward with their feet on the passenger footrests.
A passenger must not interfere with the rider’s effective control of the motorcycle.
You must not carry more passengers on the motorcycle than it was designed to carry.

published 15/10/2009