Update on New Licence requirements Queensland Licence update Brendon Watson The two wheeled industry in Queensland is bracing itself for a raft of changes to the Scooter & Motorcycle licencing system. The Queensland Government created the Travelsafe Comittee 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.
- All Learner or Provisional riders to display L or P plates
- Leaners no longer able to carry instructor as a pillion (crazy stuff getting on the back with a learner)
The current Queensland licencing system issues motorcycle licences in automatic, manual, RE (under 250cc) & R (Over 250cc) formats. Many existing RE Licenced 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 tained under a different system, not on the larger machines.
In a move that has frustrated the many, 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. 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 compund 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 the hold a Motorcycle Learners permit or better.
While the situation is not perfect the changes place us in a better position that we were before. The Travelsafe committe is set to continue the evolution of the Queensland licencing system announcing it is paying particular attention to Scooters for 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 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?
Lams list
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb3abb0d307359a/Pdf_lam_scheme_list_090612.pdf
published 22/05/2009 |