Restricted Motorcycle Licence - Changes From October 1st

There are a number of changes to the driver licencing system coming into effect on the 1st of October 2012. While some of these have been clearly communicated to the public some have not. There are 2 key changes that will impact novice motorcycle riders they are:

LAMS approved bikes for learner's and restricted licence holders

This is the most effectively communicated change to the licencing scheme. Instead of relying on a cc restriction motorcyclists will now be restricted to bikes with a power-to-weight ratio of less than 150kw per tonne. If the bike is over 250cc it must be LAMS approved and unmodified. If the bike is under 250cc it must not be one of the bikes on the LAMS banned bikes list.

Changes to the Learner licence process

Currently a learner licence can be obtained by sitting a very simple Basic Handling Skills course and passing a theory test at a licencing agent. From the 1st of October the Basic Handling Skills course will include additional elements such as a hazard perception component and the theory test will include more motorcycle specific questions.

Changes to the Restricted licence phase

This is the change that people are least aware of.  Until now riders who were over 25 years old only had to spend 6 months on their restricted licence. After the first of October this will no longer be the case. All riders will have to spend 18 months on their restricted licence. While this can be reduced through competency based training assessments no specific details are currently supplied.

While many will view this change as unfair it is an understandable move when you look at the crash statistics. In order to justify keeping the age split there would need to be a similar split in the crash statisitics (with young people being injured more often). This does not appear to be borne out by the statistics. Instead the greatest number of deaths are now in the 40+ age bracket. While there are a number of potential issues with these stats (discussed in an upcoming post) if you want to focus on reducing the absolute number of road deaths this seems to be an acceptable approach.

Progressing through the licence stages

Progression from a learner licence to a full licence will also move towards CBTA rather than licence tests. While tests will remain as an available option it is unclear how long both avenues will remain open.

Presentation of a stage one CBTA certificate by a learner licence holder applying for a restricted licence will:

• waive the need to complete the learner licence six month minimum time period

• waive the need to sit and pass a practical test at the agent

• waive the need to pay the restricted practical test fee.

Presentation of a stage two CBTA certificate by a restricted licence holder applying for a full licence will:

• reduce the minimum age from 18 years to 17 ½ years

• reduce the restricted licence minimum time period from 18 to 12 months

• waive the need to sit and pass a practical test at the agent

• waive the need to pay the full practical test fee.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/driver-licensing-amendment-2011-qa.html
http://nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/cbta.html
http://nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/time.html

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/152693-18-months-on-your-Restricted-no-matter-your-age-and-Basic-handling-on-November-1st/page2

Learner Bikes - Should I Stick to 250cc or LAMS approved 660cc Bike?

On October 1st 2012 the restriction on the engine size for learner/restricted licenced motorcyclists is moving from 250cc to an approved list of bikes of up to 660cc. There were 2 key reasons for this change. The first was that some 250cc bikes were deemed by many to be too dangerous for amateur riders. These 250cc bikes are now off limits to learner riders. The second reason was that many bikes with larger capacity engines weren't necessarily more powerful than the bikes that learner bikers were able to ride. Many argued for a shift away from engine size restrictions towards a power-to-weight-ratio restriction. This lead to the LAMS list of approved bikes for learner and restricted riders. This shift leads to an obvious question for new learner riders: Should I start with a bike that would have been approved before the 1st of October or should I go with a larger bike from the LAMS approved list?

Points in Favour of bikes over 250cc

1) Avoid the small bike stigma
If you thought you wanted a bigger bike before reading this post this was probably a big part of that. If you think that there is something that is inherently uncool about smaller bikes then buying a bigger bike will allow you to keep yourself safe from the small bike stigma.

2) Lower revs, deeper engine sounds
Smaller bikes often get mocked for sounding like sewing machines. They rev high and have a high pitched engine sound. Larger bikes tend to rev lower and sound throatier.

3) Power-to-weight ratio is likely to be higher (although this may not be the case)
It is rare for bike manufacturers to make a bike with a bigger engine that has a lower power to weight ratio than other bikes in their line-up. As a general rule bikes of the same age from the same company in the same line will have a power to weight ratio that increases with engine size. Take note that this will not necessarily hold for bikes from different companies, years, and/or lines.

4) Weight
A larger, more powerful engine means that the bike itself should also be heavier to fit the fixed power to weight ratio. Heavier bikes hold the road better and don't get pushed around by the wind quite as much.

Points in Favour of bikes less then 250cc

1) Fuel Efficiency

Generally speaking smaller engines use less fuel. Bigger engines use more fuel. For many the appeal of moving to a bike or scooter is the potential to save money on petrol. If this sounds like you a 250cc (or less) bike or scooter is likely to be the best fit for you although a 660cc bike should still use much less fuel than your car.

2) Light Weight
Light Bikes are easy for you and your engine to push around. This helps to contribute to fuel efficiency and also makes bikes easier to manoeuvre while parking. Finally if you ever drop your bike a lighter bike is much easier to pick-up.

3) A glut in the market
As 250cc bikes have been a necessary stepping stone for a number of years there are plenty of them around.  After October 1st it is possible that there will be a shift in the supply and demand equation. Specifically the demand will drop as the learner buyers will no longer be restricted to 250cc bikes. This could lead to an over supply of 250cc bikes in the market which could lead to a drop in sale prices in the months and years ahead.

Red Herrings to watch out for

Bigger bikes are more powerful than smaller bikes

Remember that the LAMS approved bikes are in line with a power-to-weight ratio that some 250cc bikes exceeded. The power to weight ratio is restricted to 150kw per tonne regardless of engine size. While bikes with bigger engines are typically more powerful than bikes with smaller engines they are often also heavier. Heavier bikes are harder to get moving. While bigger engined bikes may have a higher top speed you are unlikely to notice differences in acceleration between bikes where the only difference is the power to weight ratio.

Avoiding the small bike stigma

Odds are this stigma will shift from a small bike stigma to a learner bike stigma. In fact the current small bike stigma really is learner bike stigma by another name.

An important consideration for those over 25

Along with the change in permissable bikes October 1st will bring a change to the licencing system. While those over 25 were required to spend less time on their restricted than younger riders before October 1st 2012 this distinction will disappear on the 1st of October 2012. This means you will be spending longer on your learner bike.