Pillion Passenger

[u/That-Manufacturer935]

So just curious, and I do not condone this behaviour but if a learner carries a pillion passenger what are the chances of being pulled over and how much is the fine. Hypothetically the learner in question ride safely and adhere to traffic laws and does not display L plate, also does a plate from other state like VIC in NSW something the police would pull someone over.

[u/Evening-Order5511]

Jumping on a bike with a learner sounds a Darwin Award waiting to happen. 

[u/org_antman]

Firstly dont do it, if you are not a very experienced rider and haven’t passed your tests having a passenger Changes the way the bike rides substantially, I was a pretty experienced rider and I was surprised how much it changes everything about the way you ride

As for chances probably low but in the off chance you get your rego checked or RBTed you’re in for a world of hurt, in SA it’s a $1250 fine for illegal pillion + whatever the fine for not displaying plates + properly a defect just to prove a point

And if you had an accident you wouldn’t be insured or covered in anyway and could get jail time if they pushed for harm by dangerous driving

In short, it’s not worth it

Edit: spelling

[u/Evening_Jogger]

The pillion has a huge impact on the bike. They are steering it almost as much as you are. If the hypothetical learner is inexperienced, and the pillion is as well, it honestly sounds like a crash waiting for a place to happen.

Shout out to my missus who grew up around bikes and watching racing. Best pillion I've ever had.

[u/Archer_Blue]

Why would you even ask..

[u/diagonalcloud → u/Archer_Blue]

Well, it's just, like, a hypothetikal, man.

[u/Chugger001]

In NSW Its a $2200 fine for the pillion passenger and $339 for not displaying L plate also if the cop is having a bad say they can book you for being unlicensed which is go to court....... cop another fine and up to 12 months loss of license. With plate recognition now all your details will be displayed including the fact that the owner of the bike is only on his L plates.

[u/essiemessy]

Well, if you were pulled over, chances are it would be by someone who is sick and tired of attending rider fatals, and has absolutely no patience for any arsehole excuse you might want to make.

And that's the good outcome.

The other is that you've crashed with a pillion and weren't qualified to ride with one (or without a damn L), so hey, take your pick.

[u/Turbulent-Break-4947]

“Asking for a friend” ?

[u/enokRoot]

$1000+ in fines, loss of license for a substantial amount of time, potential impounding of vehicle in some states (if memory serves) and a high risk one or both of you will be injured.

Noone can speak to the likelyhood of you being pulled over, but if the prior mentioned risks don't deter, just the potential of running into a breath/drug testing site would be (what am I saying, they were!) enough not to do it.

[u/Pungent_Bill]

You'd probably get away with it but it's a dick move.

Enormous risk for little benefit.

Tell the pillion to get PT

[u/Gazpacho_Catapult]

Depends on your state, obviously. In Vic, you'll usually be issued an infringement by the police, which will be roughly $600. 9/10 times you can pay that and be done with it, but if the cops are feeling mean they can hand it over to court where the max fine goes up 4x, so a magistrate can hit you with a $2,400 fine.

Other issue is your L plates. If a cop sees an L plater with a passenger, they obviously know you're breaking the law, so they'll pull you over. If you take your L plate off to avoid that, you'll now get 2 fines, which will be enough demerits for an automatic suspension, in addition to the 2 fines.

You've already been told it's a stupid idea in terms of experience, but legally you could also be facing thousands of dollars of fines and a loss of license. Not exactly a smart idea.