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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of a quad bike
Level / 2 / Credits / 3
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of: the safe operation of a quad bike; quad bike riding contingency procedures; and the safe operation of a quad bike with trailed equipmentand a mounted load.
Classification / Agriculture > Agricultural Vehicles and Machinery
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Definition
A quad bike (previously known as an ATV) is a vehicle with handlebars and equipment that is principally designed for off-road use in a workplace and excludes racing quad bikes or quad bikes modified for other purposes. A quad bike has the following features – four wheels with low pressure tyres, engine capacity exceeding 90cc, gross weight of less than 1000kg. Most quad bikes have fixed rear axles and thumb operated throttle controls.
2For the purposes of this unit standard, flat terrain is defined as class A and B land under the Land Use Capability Classification, which comprises slopes between 0-7º.
For the purposes of this unit standard, hilly terrain is defined as class D, E and F land under the Land Use Capability Classification, which comprises slopes between 16º and 35º. More detail is available at
3Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the – Land Transport Act 1998, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and their subsequent amendments.
4References
- NZ Transport Agency, Factsheet 19, All-terrain vehicles: registration, licensing and safety. Available from
- Guidelines for the Safe Use of Quad Bikes should be consulted and complied with. These guidelines are available from
- ACC booklet: Quad Bike Safety: Tips on how to stay safe. Available from
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of a quad bike.
Evidence requirements
1.1The legal requirements for a quad bike, and the legal obligations of the quad bike rider, are identified.
RangeHealth and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Land Transport Act 1998.
1.2The safety requirements for a quad bike and its rider are explained in terms of their impact on rider safety.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – personal protective equipment;
operational safety (awareness of hazards, rider ability, rider’s physical and mental state, environmental features and conditions, on-farm fences and structures, intended use of vehicle);
vehicle safety (tyres, brakes, maintenance);
fitting of accessories (for example: spray tank, feed out equipment).
1.3The function and operation of a quad bike’s controls and displays are identified.
1.4The impact of a quad bike’s dynamics on its safe operation is explained.
Rangestability, steering, manoeuvrability, braking and control.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of quad bike riding contingency procedures.
Evidence requirements
2.1The methods for avoiding and correcting traction loss are identified.
2.2Active riding techniques and the reasons for using them are explained.
Rangetechniques include - weight transfer, balance, body position, head and eye position.
2.3Methods for safely abandoning a quad bike in a hazardous situation or loss of control event are identified.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of a quad bike with trailed equipment,and a mounted load.
Rangeflat terrain, hilly terrain;
static loads, moveable loads.
Evidence requirements
3.1The impact of trailed equipment and mounted loads on the dynamics of a quad bike is explained.
Rangedynamics include – steering, manoeuvrability, stability, braking, gear selection, traction.
3.2Techniques for safely loading a trailer are explained in terms of laden trailer weight, drawbar weight, securing of load, and manufacturer’s recommendations.
3.3Techniques for safely attaching a mounted load on a quad bike are explained in terms of weight of load, load security and manufacturer’s specifications.
Replacement information / This unit standard, unit standard 24555 and unit standard 24556 replaced unit standard 19057.Planned review date / 31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 20 May 2008 / 31 December 2013
Revision / 2 / 16 April 2010 / 31 December 2013
Review / 3 / 21 June 2012 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0052
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018