Western Australia Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti

Novice Motorcyclist Safety A Focus Of New Licence Process

Victor P Taffa

• Changes to better prepare motorcycle licence applicants and train safer riders
• New process to come into effect on Monday, November 5
• Western Australia to introduce Australia’s first motorcycle specific Hazard Perception Test

State Government has made changes to improve the motorcycle graduated licensing system (GLS), which will come into effect on November 5, 2018.

“2-year restricted licence phase on R-E class motorcycles is being implemented to ensure riders gain greater experience under conditions of reduced risk resulting in safer motorcycle riders.” Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said.

“These changes, which will integrate Australia’s first motorcycle specific Hazard Perception Test into the graduated licensing system, aim to improve skills and ensure greater riding experience.”

Department of Transport has changed the process to attain a motorcycle licence to better prepare R class licence holders, and bring Western Australia in line with other Australian jurisdictions.

From Monday (November 5), R-E class applicants must complete a newly developed motorcycle specific Hazard Perception Test (HPT) the first of its kind in Australia before attempting the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA).

In addition, applicants must hold their learner’s permit for a minimum of 6 months prior to undertaking the HPT for an R-E class licence.

Following a minimum 2-year restricted licence phase, R-E class licence holders can attempt the R class PDA which together with the R-E class PDA has seen an increase in rigour.

An R-E class licence restricts the rider to a motorcycle with an engine capacity of less than 660 cc and a power to weight ratio less than 150 kW/t. An R class licence removes the engine restriction for the rider.

Existing R-E licence holders will be able to sit a PDA 1 year or more from the issue date of their R-E class licence to be granted an R class licence.

Those who obtain an R-E class licence on or after November 5 can attempt an R class PDA 2 years from the issue date of their R-E class licence.

Current Motorcycle GLS Process

• No minimum learner’s permit tenure period prior to undertaking the PDA for an R-E class
• No motorcycle specific HPT
• Minimum 1-year restricted licence phase on R-E class motorcycles
• PDA must be passed to obtain R class licence

New Motorcycle GLS Process

• A 6-month minimum R-E learner’s permit tenure period prior to undertaking the HPT for an R-E class licence PDA with increased rigour must be passed to obtain R-E class licence
• A motorcycle specific HPT for R-N (moped) and R-E class applicants
• A minimum 2-year restricted licence phase on R-E class motorcycles
• PDA with increased rigour must be passed to obtain R class licence