QLD Motorcycle Knowledge Test cheat sheet

Queensland speed limits: 40 km/h in school zones during posted times, 50 km/h in built-up areas unless otherwise signed, 100 km/h on default rural roads, 110 km/h on signed highways.

Learner-approved motorcycles in QLD must be 660 mL or less and have a power-to-weight ratio of 150 kW per tonne or less (maximum LAM output).

A motorcycle rider must not ride with more than one pillion passenger, and the pillion must sit astride a proper seat with footrests.

Lane filtering is legal in QLD only when traffic is stationary or moving at 30 km/h or less, the rider holds an open licence, and speed while filtering stays at or under 30 km/h.

A motorcycle may share a lane with another motorcycle only if both riders consent and ride no more than two abreast; lane splitting at speed is illegal.

At a stop sign or red light, a motorcycle must come to a complete stop; a right turn on red is not permitted in Queensland unless a sign allows it.

Riders must give way to pedestrians at marked crossings and when turning into a road pedestrians are crossing; bicycles and motorcycles follow the same give-way rules as cars.

Indicating is required before changing lanes, turning, or diverging; the signal must be given for at least 5 seconds before the manoeuvre where practicable.

Minimum safe following gap: maintain at least a 3-second gap in good conditions and increase to 4 or more seconds in rain, at night, or on gravel.

The 12-second visual lead time rule: scan to where you will be in about 12 seconds; anything closer is reaction territory, not planning territory.

Stopping distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, so a 60 km/h stop needs far more than twice a 30 km/h stop.

Target fixation increases crash risk: look where you want to go, not at the hazard, because the motorcycle follows the rider's gaze.

Common high-risk crash configurations for motorcyclists: an oncoming vehicle turning right across the rider's path, and a vehicle emerging from a side street or driveway.

Wet-road risk multipliers: painted lines, manhole covers, tram rails and oil patches reduce grip sharply; reduce lean angle and brake earlier on these surfaces.

Ride to be seen: position in the lane where you are most visible in other drivers' mirrors, and avoid lingering in blind spots beside large vehicles.

Fatigue and alcohol both slow hazard reaction; a rider's crash risk rises steeply with any blood alcohol concentration above zero, and the QLD limit is 0.05 for open licence holders.

Countersteering: at speeds above walking pace, push the handlebar on the side you want to turn toward; the bike leans and turns in that direction.

Braking split: front brake provides the majority of stopping power on a dry sealed surface; apply both brakes progressively and avoid locking the front.

Trail braking: maintain light front-brake pressure into a corner and release smoothly as lean angle increases, since available grip is shared between braking and cornering.

Cornering sequence: brake before the corner, set entry speed, look through the corner to the exit, then apply smooth throttle through the turn.

Slow-speed control (under about 15 km/h) uses clutch friction zone, rear brake drag and slight throttle to stabilise the bike; keep the head up and eyes forward.

Grip budget is finite: lean angle, braking and acceleration each consume traction, so combining hard braking with full lean risks a slide.

ABS on motorcycles prevents wheel lock during hard braking but does not shorten stopping distance on gravel or increase cornering grip.

Tyre pressure and tread affect steering and grip; check pressures cold before each ride and keep chain slack within the manufacturer's specified range.

Queensland motorcycle licence progression: learner (RE) licence, then RE provisional/open restrictions, then R (unrestricted) licence after holding RE for at least 12 months.

The QLD motorcycle knowledge test and hazard perception test must be passed before a learner motorcycle licence is issued; a car learner permit alone is not sufficient.

A motorcycle learner must display an L plate, ride only LAM-approved motorcycles, carry no pillion passenger, and must not ride with a blood alcohol concentration above zero.

RE licence holders are restricted to LAM motorcycles for at least 12 months; the R licence removes the LAM restriction after the required period.

Learner riders in QLD must complete a Q-Ride or Q-SAFE approved pre-learner course before being issued a motorcycle learner licence.

A pillion passenger may only be carried once the rider holds an RE or R licence, not on a learner licence.

Demerit points apply to motorcycle licences the same as car licences; accumulating the threshold results in suspension, and double demerit periods apply for repeat offences.

Licence conditions such as corrective lenses or automatic-transmission-only must be obeyed; riding outside a condition is an offence.

Helmet law: a rider and any pillion in Queensland must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that is correctly fitted and securely fastened.

Protective clothing reduces injury severity: abrasion-resistant jacket and pants, gloves, enclosed boots and eye protection are the standard minimum for crash protection.

Helmet replacement rule: replace a helmet after any impact or drop that could compromise the shell, and follow the manufacturer's service-life guidance (commonly about 5 years).

High-visibility or reflective material on gear and the motorcycle increases detection distance at night and in low light.

A helmet must meet the relevant standard marking (for example AS/NZS 1698 or equivalent recognised standard); novelty or bicycle helmets are not legal for motorcycle use.

Pre-ride safety check (T-CLOCS): Tyres, Controls, Lights, Oil/fluids, Chassis, Stands; check these before every ride.

Passenger safety: pillion must have a proper seat, footrests and a helmet, and the rider must adjust suspension and tyre pressure for the added load.

Hearing and eye protection: wind noise above highway speeds causes fatigue and hearing damage, and eye protection is required if the helmet has no visor.

Queensland speed limits: 40 km/h in school zones during posted times, 50 km/h in built-up areas unless otherwise signed, 100 km/h on default rural roads, 110 km/h on signed highways.

Learner-approved motorcycles in QLD must be 660 mL or less and have a power-to-weight ratio of 150 kW per tonne or less (maximum LAM output).

A motorcycle rider must not ride with more than one pillion passenger, and the pillion must sit astride a proper seat with footrests.

Lane filtering is legal in QLD only when traffic is stationary or moving at 30 km/h or less, the rider holds an open licence, and speed while filtering stays at or under 30 km/h.

A motorcycle may share a lane with another motorcycle only if both riders consent and ride no more than two abreast; lane splitting at speed is illegal.

At a stop sign or red light, a motorcycle must come to a complete stop; a right turn on red is not permitted in Queensland unless a sign allows it.

Riders must give way to pedestrians at marked crossings and when turning into a road pedestrians are crossing; bicycles and motorcycles follow the same give-way rules as cars.

Indicating is required before changing lanes, turning, or diverging; the signal must be given for at least 5 seconds before the manoeuvre where practicable.

Minimum safe following gap: maintain at least a 3-second gap in good conditions and increase to 4 or more seconds in rain, at night, or on gravel.

The 12-second visual lead time rule: scan to where you will be in about 12 seconds; anything closer is reaction territory, not planning territory.

Stopping distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, so a 60 km/h stop needs far more than twice a 30 km/h stop.

Target fixation increases crash risk: look where you want to go, not at the hazard, because the motorcycle follows the rider's gaze.

Common high-risk crash configurations for motorcyclists: an oncoming vehicle turning right across the rider's path, and a vehicle emerging from a side street or driveway.

Wet-road risk multipliers: painted lines, manhole covers, tram rails and oil patches reduce grip sharply; reduce lean angle and brake earlier on these surfaces.

Ride to be seen: position in the lane where you are most visible in other drivers' mirrors, and avoid lingering in blind spots beside large vehicles.

Fatigue and alcohol both slow hazard reaction; a rider's crash risk rises steeply with any blood alcohol concentration above zero, and the QLD limit is 0.05 for open licence holders.

Countersteering: at speeds above walking pace, push the handlebar on the side you want to turn toward; the bike leans and turns in that direction.

Braking split: front brake provides the majority of stopping power on a dry sealed surface; apply both brakes progressively and avoid locking the front.

Trail braking: maintain light front-brake pressure into a corner and release smoothly as lean angle increases, since available grip is shared between braking and cornering.

Cornering sequence: brake before the corner, set entry speed, look through the corner to the exit, then apply smooth throttle through the turn.

Slow-speed control (under about 15 km/h) uses clutch friction zone, rear brake drag and slight throttle to stabilise the bike; keep the head up and eyes forward.

Grip budget is finite: lean angle, braking and acceleration each consume traction, so combining hard braking with full lean risks a slide.

ABS on motorcycles prevents wheel lock during hard braking but does not shorten stopping distance on gravel or increase cornering grip.

Tyre pressure and tread affect steering and grip; check pressures cold before each ride and keep chain slack within the manufacturer's specified range.

Queensland motorcycle licence progression: learner (RE) licence, then RE provisional/open restrictions, then R (unrestricted) licence after holding RE for at least 12 months.

The QLD motorcycle knowledge test and hazard perception test must be passed before a learner motorcycle licence is issued; a car learner permit alone is not sufficient.

A motorcycle learner must display an L plate, ride only LAM-approved motorcycles, carry no pillion passenger, and must not ride with a blood alcohol concentration above zero.

RE licence holders are restricted to LAM motorcycles for at least 12 months; the R licence removes the LAM restriction after the required period.

Learner riders in QLD must complete a Q-Ride or Q-SAFE approved pre-learner course before being issued a motorcycle learner licence.

A pillion passenger may only be carried once the rider holds an RE or R licence, not on a learner licence.

Demerit points apply to motorcycle licences the same as car licences; accumulating the threshold results in suspension, and double demerit periods apply for repeat offences.

Licence conditions such as corrective lenses or automatic-transmission-only must be obeyed; riding outside a condition is an offence.

Helmet law: a rider and any pillion in Queensland must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that is correctly fitted and securely fastened.

Protective clothing reduces injury severity: abrasion-resistant jacket and pants, gloves, enclosed boots and eye protection are the standard minimum for crash protection.

Helmet replacement rule: replace a helmet after any impact or drop that could compromise the shell, and follow the manufacturer's service-life guidance (commonly about 5 years).

High-visibility or reflective material on gear and the motorcycle increases detection distance at night and in low light.

A helmet must meet the relevant standard marking (for example AS/NZS 1698 or equivalent recognised standard); novelty or bicycle helmets are not legal for motorcycle use.

Pre-ride safety check (T-CLOCS): Tyres, Controls, Lights, Oil/fluids, Chassis, Stands; check these before every ride.

Passenger safety: pillion must have a proper seat, footrests and a helmet, and the rider must adjust suspension and tyre pressure for the added load.

Hearing and eye protection: wind noise above highway speeds causes fatigue and hearing damage, and eye protection is required if the helmet has no visor.