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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Motorcycle riding responsibilities

Understand the rule, its conditions and how to apply it

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

Purpose and essential terms

A motorcycle’s rider needs a stable position and unobstructed control of the handlebars, brakes, clutch and gears. The manual requires the rider to sit astride the saddle with feet on the front footrests and at least one hand on the handlebars. Safe riding normally uses both hands except when an appropriate control or permitted signal requires otherwise.

Keep the wheels on the road. Holding onto another moving vehicle, carrying an obstructive object in front of you or allowing someone to interfere with the controls creates a serious risk.

Key idea: A motorcycle’s rider needs a stable position and unobstructed control of the handlebars, brakes, clutch and gears.

How to apply the rule

Wear a suitable helmet with the chin strap fastened, check the headlamp and other equipment, and secure luggage in suitable carriers. A learner may not carry a pillion passenger. For licensed riders, passenger arrangements still depend on legal and vehicle requirements; a spare helmet alone does not establish that a passenger may be carried.

Ride single file as required, with the reference exception for overtaking another motorcycle. Do not have two motorcycles overtake another vehicle at the same time. Make every manoeuvre with observation and enough clearance, rather than relying on the motorcycle’s small size.

Key idea: Do not carry the friend as a pillion passenger.

Conditions and easily confused points

A learner under 18 is limited to a motorcycle not exceeding 125 cc. The no-pillion learner condition is separate from that capacity limit.

The reference requires a sidecar to be attached on the left and prohibits sidecars on motorcycles below the specified engine capacity. A sidecar changes handling and space needs; it is not interchangeable with a pillion seat.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Worked road situation

A friend asks for a lift while you are riding on a learner licence.

  1. Do not carry the friend as a pillion passenger.
  2. Explain that the learner condition applies even with a helmet and a short journey.
  3. Arrange a permitted alternative.

Quick recap

  • Do not carry the friend as a pillion passenger.
  • Explain that the learner condition applies even with a helmet and a short journey.
  • Arrange a permitted alternative.

Practice questions on motorcycle riding responsibilities

1 May a motorcyclist hold onto another moving vehicle?

  1. Yes, to save fuel
  2. Yes, below 30 km/h
  3. No
Show the answer

Answer C: No

Sit astride the saddle with feet on the footrests and at least one hand on the handlebars. Keep the motorcycle’s wheels on the road. Do not hold onto another moving vehicle. Ride single file except while overtaking another motorcycle as permitted. A learner may not carry a pillion passenger. The manual specifies sidecars on the left.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

2 Where should the rider’s feet rest?

  1. On the front footrests
  2. On the passenger seat
  3. On the road while moving
Show the answer

Answer A: On the front footrests

Sit astride the saddle with feet on the footrests and at least one hand on the handlebars. Keep the motorcycle’s wheels on the road. Do not hold onto another moving vehicle. Ride single file except while overtaking another motorcycle as permitted. A learner may not carry a pillion passenger. The manual specifies sidecars on the left.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

3 How many hands must remain on the handlebars at minimum?

  1. Only when turning
  2. None while travelling straight
  3. At least one
Show the answer

Answer C: At least one

Sit astride the saddle with feet on the footrests and at least one hand on the handlebars. Keep the motorcycle’s wheels on the road. Do not hold onto another moving vehicle. Ride single file except while overtaking another motorcycle as permitted. A learner may not carry a pillion passenger. The manual specifies sidecars on the left.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

4 On which side does the manual specify a motorcycle sidecar?

  1. The right
  2. Either side without restrictions
  3. The left
Show the answer

Answer C: The left

Sit astride the saddle with feet on the footrests and at least one hand on the handlebars. Keep the motorcycle’s wheels on the road. Do not hold onto another moving vehicle. Ride single file except while overtaking another motorcycle as permitted. A learner may not carry a pillion passenger. The manual specifies sidecars on the left.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Seat belts and helmets

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF pp. 37–38, sections 6.50–6.51; PDF pp. 16–17 (learner conditions); iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference).

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.