ASF Anouncement

More On LA Cat Scooters

LA Category is a special vehicle classification for scooters of less than 50cc provided under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. These scooters are generally known as 50cc scooters or mopeds.

ASF

LA Category 50cc scooters pass stringent requirements for brakes, lights, speedometer and noise. They are restricted to 50 km/h in all states and are NOT tested for safe operation at higher speeds. It is illegal to increase the capacity of an LA category scooter above a maximum of 50cc.

It is a federal offence for a scooter retailer to sell an LA category scooter for road use in a derestricted condition. Under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, the dealer may be fined up to $13,400 per vehicle.

Please note penalties also apply to scooter owners and any modifications could render your vehicle illegal.

LA Category scooters can be ridden in some states on a provisional/full driver’s licence - Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia.

The peak scooter industry body, the Australian Scooter Federation (ASF), requests that all LA category scooter owners respect the law and maintain their scooter in its restricted form.

ACT

(02) 6207 7000,

www.urbanservicesact.gov.au Motorcycle licence applies.
LAMs (Learner Approved Motorcycles) scheme in operation.

NSW

13 22 13, www.rta.nsw.gov.au

Automatic scooters to 125cc; conditional rider licence.
Applicants must: complete a pre-learner rider training course; satisfy normal learner rider licensing requirements (proof of identity, knowledge and eyesight tests); accrue three months’ learner tenure; pass a Motorcycle Operators Skills Test (MOST), but do not have to perform a pre-provisional rider training course. Any subsequent unrestricted rider’s licence issued after the provisional licence must have the condition ‘May only ride an automatic motor bike with an engine capacity not exceeding 125ml’. To remove the condition from a provisional or other licence, applicants must complete a pre-provisional rider training course, then go to a motor registry to have the condition removed.

Manual scooters/scooters of capacity greater than 125cc; motorcycle licence applies.
LAMs scheme in operation.

NT

(08) 8924 7216, www.dpi.nt.gov.au

Holders of a provisional/full car driver’s licence may legally ride LA Category 50cc scooters.
For other scooters, a motorcycle licence applies.

QLD

12 23 80, www.transport.qld.gov.au

Holders of a provisional/full C-class (car) licence may legally ride LA Category 50cc
scooters. For other scooters, a motorcycle licence applies. Q-Ride scheme in operation.

SA

1300 360 067, www.transport.sa.gov.au

Holder of a provisional/full car driver’s licence may legally ride (sub-65kg) LA Category 50cc
scooters. For other scooters, a motorcycle licence applies. LAMs scheme in operation.

TAS

13 11 71, www.transport.tas.gov.au

Motorcycle licence applies. LAMs scheme in operation.

VIC

13 11 71, www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Motorcycle licence applies. LAMs scheme pending.

WA

13 11 56, www.dpi.wa.gov.au

Holders of a provisional/full car driver’s licence may legally ride 50cc scooters. For other
scooters, a motorcycle licence applies.
Information courtesy of Two Wheels Scooter Magazine, 2007. All details correct at time of printing are subject to change without notice.

published 5/02/2008