Penalties, Licensing Requirements and Legal Responsibilities
Licence before you ride
Penalties, licensing requirements and legal responsibilities tests the rules that make a ride legal: the right licence and class, insurance, helmet, passenger rules, documents and the consequences of breaking the law. In Hong Kong you must be at least 18 to ride a motorcycle and hold a licence for that class.
Learner and provisional rules
- A learner motorcyclist must display L plates, must not carry a passenger, and must not ride on expressways.
- After passing the road test, a provisional (P) licence applies for 12 months: display a P plate front and rear, keep to a maximum 70 km/h, and do not carry a pillion passenger on a motorcycle.
- P-plate holders are also restricted from expressways.
- Carry your licence and produce it when required; keep valid third-party insurance - riding uninsured is a serious offence.
Offences and points
Driving-offence points are endorsed for offences such as speeding, careless driving, failing to obey a signal and using a handheld phone. Accumulating 15 points within two years leads to disqualification. Serious offences - drink driving, dangerous driving, riding without insurance - can bring fines, imprisonment and longer disqualification. The legal alcohol limit applies to riders; if you are over it, you are unfit to ride even if you feel normal.
Worked example
A rider passes the motorcycle road test and wants to take a friend as a pillion the next day. Can they? No. For the 12-month provisional period the rider must display P plates, stay within 70 km/h and must not carry a passenger. Carrying a pillion before the restriction ends is an offence and invalidates the insurance position.
Accident duties
If you are involved in an accident that causes injury or damage, stop, give your particulars to the other parties, and report the accident to the police. Do not ride off because you are late.
Traps
Thinking the P plate lasts only a few months; forgetting the rear P plate; carrying a passenger while a learner; and assuming a helmet is optional on short trips. Also do not let a friend ride your machine unless they hold the correct licence and are insured.