New Zealand Motorbike Driving Carrying Passengers and Loads Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A rider holds a restricted motorcycle licence (6R). Under which of the following conditions are they legally permitted to carry a pillion passenger?
- Only if the passenger is their legal spouse or partner.
- Only if they have held their restricted licence for at least 12 months.
- They are not permitted to carry a passenger under any circumstances. (Correct answer)
- Only if they are riding a LAMS-approved motorcycle under 250cc.
Correct answer: They are not permitted to carry a passenger under any circumstances.
The New Zealand Road Code explicitly states that holders of a learner (6L) or restricted (6R) motorcycle licence are not permitted to carry a pillion passenger on their motorcycle or in a sidecar. This condition is only lifted upon obtaining a full (6F) licence.
Question 2: Before carrying your first pillion passenger, what is the most important advice you should give them regarding cornering?
- To keep their body as upright as possible to maintain balance.
- To lean with the rider and the motorcycle through the turn. (Correct answer)
- To lean in the opposite direction of the turn to counteract the force.
- To lift their feet off the pegs slightly for better clearance.
Correct answer: To lean with the rider and the motorcycle through the turn.
A pillion passenger must act as part of the motorcycle. It is crucial for them to look over the rider's shoulder into the turn and lean with the bike and rider. If they stay upright or lean the opposite way, it fights the motorcycle's natural dynamics and makes steering extremely difficult and dangerous.
Question 3: Which of the following describes a correctly and legally secured load on a motorcycle in New Zealand?
- A sleeping bag tied to the handlebars for easy access.
- A load that extends 1.2 metres behind the rear wheel axle.
- A heavy item placed as high as possible on a rear rack to clear the exhaust.
- A correctly weighted pair of saddlebags with the load kept low and central. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A correctly weighted pair of saddlebags with the load kept low and central.
Loads must be kept low and central to maintain the motorcycle's centre of gravity and stability. An uneven or high load can negatively affect balance. Loads must not be attached to the handlebars and are legally not allowed to extend more than 1 metre behind the rear axle.
Question 4: You are preparing to take a passenger on a long ride. How does the additional weight of a passenger primarily affect the motorcycle's performance?
- It significantly shortens the required braking distance.
- It improves acceleration and makes the steering quicker.
- It has no noticeable effect on handling or performance.
- It increases braking distances and makes acceleration slower. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: It increases braking distances and makes acceleration slower.
Adding the significant weight of a passenger increases the total mass of the motorcycle. This means more force and distance are required to stop, and the engine has to work harder to accelerate. The added weight also changes the handling dynamics, often making steering feel slower or heavier.
Question 5: To legally carry a pillion passenger in New Zealand, what specific equipment MUST a motorcycle have?
- A backrest (sissy bar) and grab rails.
- A separate seat for the passenger and a luggage rack.
- A seat designed for two people and dedicated passenger footrests. (Correct answer)
- A windscreen and reinforced rear suspension.
Correct answer: A seat designed for two people and dedicated passenger footrests.
The law requires that a motorcycle must be fitted with a seat that is long enough to safely accommodate a passenger, as well as a separate set of footrests for that passenger to use.
Question 6: When instructing a new passenger on how to get on the motorcycle, what is the correct and safest procedure?
- The passenger should get on first, after which the rider starts the engine.
- The rider gets on and starts the engine, then the passenger gets on from the right-hand side.
- The rider gets on, secures the bike with both feet down and the front brake applied, and then tells the passenger it is safe to get on. (Correct answer)
- The passenger should stand on one footrest and swing over while the bike is on its side stand.
Correct answer: The rider gets on, secures the bike with both feet down and the front brake applied, and then tells the passenger it is safe to get on.
The correct procedure is for the rider to mount the motorcycle first, get it balanced and stable with both feet on the ground, and apply the front brake. Only then should they instruct the passenger to get on, typically from the left side, using the rider's shoulder for stability if needed.
New Zealand Motorbike Driving Carrying Passengers and Loads Questions and Answers
A rider holds a restricted motorcycle licence (6R).
Under which of the following conditions are they legally permitted to carry a pillion passenger?