Learner drivers could use electric motorcycles

Recent amendments to the Land Transport rules may soon see learner riders able to use electric motorcycles.

The Land Transport (driver licensing) rule 1999 has been amended as part of the Land Transport Rule Amendment 2018.

It is illegal for learner riders to use electric motorcycles.

Under the current rules, learner drivers are only allowed to use petrol-powered that are generally 250 cc or less and must be accompanied by someone who has had their full licence for at least 2 years.

Amendments to this rule means the NZ Transport Agency can determine if an electrically-powered motorcycle should be approved for the learner approved motorcycle scheme.

This change has been met with mostly support as only small, low powered low speed models are available in New Zealand. However, high performance models overseas are likely to arrive in the country in the future.