RACQ calls for licencing revision

The RACQ says it's time for an end to Queensland's "piecemeal" approach to motorcycle licencing and to investigate potential new measures for rider training

The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has called upon the Queensland State Government to review the state's motorcycle licencing system, and revisit recommendations made following a Queensland Parliamentary Travelsafe Committee in 2006 and a motorcycle safety discussion paper released in 2008.

The RACQ formally called for the review at a public hearing held on August 22, following a submission it made to the state's Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee in July.

According to Joel Tucker, RACQ Senior Road Safety Advisor, it's time for the recently-elected Newman State Government to launch a formal evaluation of Queensland's motorcycle licencing system, to ensure the state's learner riders were adequately prepared to safely tackle the challenges of riding a motorcycle on the road.

"The hearing is an opportunity for the new government to commit to a formal evaluation of each component of motorcycle licencing in Queensland to better determine the efficacy of the current Q-RIDE and Q-SAFE assessment systems," he said.

At present, Queenslanders have two paths by which they can obtain a motorcycle licence: Q-SAFE and Q-RIDE. The Q-RIDE competency-based assessment entails no minimum learner licence period, while the Q-SAFE path mandates that students hold a learner licence for at least six months before taking their licence test.

"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," Tucker said.

"On average more than 60 motorcycle riders and pillion passengers were killed on Queensland roads each year between 2006 and 2010. That’s why it’s so important we start to look into some serious changes to motorcycle licensing laws," he added.

The RACQ is also calling for the investigation of potential new measures such as off-road pre-learner training, learner rider logbooks and minimum periods of supervised on-road riding, as is currently required for the state's learner drivers.

Do you live in Queensland and ride a motorcycle? What are your thoughts on the current Queensland motorcycle licencing system? Bikesales Network would love to hear your thoughts...

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