K53 topic guide · 4 chapters
K53 seat belt, child restraint and helmet rules
Who must wear a seat belt or helmet and how children must be restrained.
Occupant protection is a common source of test questions. These chapters explain seat belts, child restraints and motorcycle helmets, and the responsibilities of motorcycle riders.
Seat belts, child restraints and helmets
Restraints reduce the chance that an occupant is thrown against the vehicle interior or out of the vehicle in a collision. Rear-seat occupants also need fitted seat belts; their position behind the front seats does not remove the risk.
- Restraints reduce the chance that an occupant is thrown against the vehicle interior or out of the vehicle in a collision.
- Keep the vehicle stationary.
- Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.
Read the full chapter: Seat belts, child restraints and helmets →
Rules in detail: Seat belts and motorcycle helmets
What the rule says. Seat belts must be worn when the vehicle is moving forward, by children and adults, but the rule covers only persons of 3 years of age and older. If seat belts are fitted in the rear seats, rear-seat passengers must wear them while the vehicle is driven. The driver must make sure that all persons travelling in the vehicle wear a seat belt.
- Belts for everyone aged 3 and older, front and back; the driver makes sure.
- Child: 3 to 14 years and not taller than 1,5 metres; everyone else is an adult.
- Adults must be belted; the only exception is reversing or moving in or out of a parking bay.
Read the full chapter: Rules in detail: Seat belts and motorcycle helmets →
Motorcycle riding responsibilities
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.
- A motorcycle’s rider needs a stable position and unobstructed control of the handlebars, brakes, clutch and gears.
- Do not carry the friend as a pillion passenger.
- Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.
Rules in detail: driver duties, motorcycles and cell phones
What the rule says. You may not disobey any road traffic sign or rule of the road unless a traffic officer orders you to. You may not make the vehicle travel backwards unless it can be done in safety. You may not permit any person, animal or object to be in a position that prevents you from having complete control of the vehicle, and you may not let anyone take hold of or interfere with the steering or operating…
- Keep complete control and a full view, and let no one interfere with the steering.
- Secure parked vehicles, give way to sirens and keep people and animals off the roof and steps.
- Engine off while unattended or being refuelled, and no litter, oil or vehicles on the sidewalk.
Read the full chapter: Rules in detail: driver duties, motorcycles and cell phones →
Practice questions on seat belts and helmets
1 Do rear-seat passengers need to use fitted seat belts?
- Only after dark
- Yes
- Only on freeways
Show the answer
Answer B: Yes
Wear fitted seat belts correctly, including in rear seats. Use appropriate child restraints and check current child-restraint requirements rather than relying on an old manual’s age thresholds. A motorcycle helmet must be designed for riding, fit properly, and have its chin strap fastened. Keep windscreens and wipers in safe working condition.
Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.
All vehicle codes
2 What makes a motorcycle helmet properly secured?
- A suitable fit and a fastened chin strap
- Holding the helmet with one hand
- Resting it loosely on the head
Show the answer
Answer A: A suitable fit and a fastened chin strap
Wear fitted seat belts correctly, including in rear seats. Use appropriate child restraints and check current child-restraint requirements rather than relying on an old manual’s age thresholds. A motorcycle helmet must be designed for riding, fit properly, and have its chin strap fastened. Keep windscreens and wipers in safe working condition.
Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.
All vehicle codes
3 What is the safest approach to transporting a child?
- Let the child share an adult’s lap belt
- Use an appropriate restraint and check current legal requirements
- Let the child stand between the seats
Show the answer
Answer B: Use an appropriate restraint and check current legal requirements
Wear fitted seat belts correctly, including in rear seats. Use appropriate child restraints and check current child-restraint requirements rather than relying on an old manual’s age thresholds. A motorcycle helmet must be designed for riding, fit properly, and have its chin strap fastened. Keep windscreens and wipers in safe working condition.
Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.
All vehicle codes
4 What should you check about a helmet before riding?
- It can be removed without undoing a strap
- It is suitable for motorcycling and fits correctly
- It matches the motorcycle’s paint
Show the answer
Answer B: It is suitable for motorcycling and fits correctly
Wear fitted seat belts correctly, including in rear seats. Use appropriate child restraints and check current child-restraint requirements rather than relying on an old manual’s age thresholds. A motorcycle helmet must be designed for riding, fit properly, and have its chin strap fastened. Keep windscreens and wipers in safe working condition.
Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.
All vehicle codes
5 From what age is wearing a seatbelt compulsory when a vehicle moves forward?
- 14 years and older
- 3 years and older
- 6 years and older
Show the answer
Answer B: 3 years and older
The manual says seatbelts are compulsory for persons of 3 years and older.
Memory tip: Three and up must buckle up.
All vehicle codes
6 A vehicle has seatbelts fitted in the rear seat. Must rear-seat passengers wear them while the vehicle is driven?
- Yes, if seatbelts are fitted
- Only on freeways
- No, only front-seat occupants must
Show the answer
Answer A: Yes, if seatbelts are fitted
Rear-seat passengers must wear fitted seatbelts while the vehicle is driven.
Memory tip: Fitted belt, worn belt: front or back.
All vehicle codes
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.