Motorcycle licence Victoria (VIC), Australia

Table of Contents

Motorcycle licence Victoria (VIC), Australia

Before riding any motorcycle in Victoria (VIC), Australia you will require a licence. This is different from your car driving licence but follows the same principles starting with learners, to probationary and then full drivers licences. You will need to go through the process of getting your learners permit, completing a check ride, completing a motorcycle licence assessment, gaining experience on a P1 and P2 probationary licence, then obtaining your full unrestricted motorcycle licence. Each state has its own requirements and different steps to obtain a full motorcycle licence. The Victorian licensing system uses the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) which is designed to protect beginner riders with harsher restrictions, then ease these restrictions as the rider gains more experience with the end result being a full unrestricted motorcycle licence.  Listed below is the information you will need to obtain your motorcycle licence for the state of Victoria (VIC), Australia.

(Most of this information has been taken directly from the official Vicroads website to ensure accuracy)

To start the licensing process, you need to be at least 18 years old and do not need a drivers licence to apply. There are 4 main steps to getting your full unrestricted motorcycle licence listed below.

1. Obtaining Learners permit (2 day course completion required)

Eligibility

  • Need to be 18 years old or older
  • Need to be a Victorian resident
  • Need to not be disqualified from holding or getting a Victorian learners permit
  • Need to be medically fit to ride. If you have a medical condition or take prescribed medication which may affect your ability to ride, you will need to provide the relevant medical reports before the assessment. You may need an initial assessment to establish your ability to ride a motorcycle
Book and complete learners course

To receive your motorcycle learners permit a 2 day course is required to be completed. This course will help prepare you for riding a motorcycle on the road.

First you will need to complete an eyesight test.

2 day course outline

Day 1

  • Learning basic riding skills, how to sit on the motorcycle, how to use the controls of a motorcycle
  • Learning how to get moving, turn, change gears and stop the motorcycle
  • A discussion on the unique aspects of riding a motorcycle on and off the road
  • An introduction to road craft tactics
  • The different types of motorcycle gear and what to look for when purchasing
  • Doing the motorcycle knowledge assessment – head to vicroads for the Victorian rider handbook to help you prepare

 

Day 2

  • Learning slow speed manoeuvring skills on your motorcycle
  • Learning steering and cornering
  • Learning emergency braking
  • Learning strategies for safe riding and keeping safe on the road
  • Taking part in a simulated road ride (not on the road)
  • An on-road assessment

The two main assessments are the motorcycle knowledge test (day 1) and the on-road motorcycle test (day 2). Listed below is some more information on these assessments and how they are structured.

Motorcycle knowledge assessment (day 1)

This knowledge test is a paper based test that consists of 32 questions. You will need to answer 25 questions correctly to pass – 78% pass mark

To help prepare for this test, read the Victorian Rider Handbook found on the Vicroads website as a PDF download.

On-road Motorcycle assessment (day 2)

Before riding a motorcycle on the road for this assessment, you will need to prove to the instructors that you have good control of the motorcycle by doing some of the learned exercises done throughout the day. This test is a real world assessment on safe riding behaviour on a motorcycle. You will be taken out in a group by the motorcycle instructor to a pre-determined location to assess you motorcycle riding ability and knowledge of the road rules. Everyone will take turns as the lead rider once familiarised with the route. You will not be penalised if you get lost as this is not a navigational assessment.

What you need to bring

You will need to bring the following to your 2 day test:

  • Original evidence of identity documents (can be found here)
  • Completed licence or learner permit application form (can be found here)
  • Long sleeve top and long pants to protect your skin
  • Closed in footwear – boots or runners
  • Lunch and water – this will differ on the company you do the course with
  • Protective eyewear – eg: sunglasses. If your required to wear prescription glasses these must be worn during the course
  • Wet weather riding gear – weather permitting

The 2 day learner permit course is the same at all training centres across Victoria. Course fees will vary. Click here for accredited training and testing providers.

Once you have successfully completed the course your will be issued with your motorcycle learner permit card. This permit is valid for 15 months. Once you have made payment with your training provider, you will be provided with a receipt. You will need to carry this receipt with you while riding until you receive your permit licence in the mail.

  1. Book your check ride (at least 1 month before you book your motorcycle licence assessment)

A check ride is a half day coaching course that includes and off road review of your motorcycle skills including braking, steering and manoeuvring and an on-road coaching ride on a pre-determined route.

The road ride is conducted on a pre-determined route which will enable you to encounter a wide range of different riding environments such as multi-lane highways, country roads, shopping centres and hills and bends. The length of the ride will depend on weather and traffic conditions.

You will be riding with a group up to 5 people with your instructor providing feedback on your ride and discussing practical ways to improve your safety and avoid danger. You will take it in turns leading the ride with the instructor observing your skills.

Before partaking in this check ride it’s important that you have enough experience riding a motorcycle to be confident in traffic and comfortable to ride at the speed limit.

3. Book your motorcycle licence assessment (within the 15 month learner period, must have learner permit for min. 3 months)

Make sure these points are done before your motorcycle licence assessment is booked

-eyesight test

-hazard perception test (not needed if you already have a drivers licence)

-make sure you have completed your check ride as listed above

This licence assessment will include both an off-road and on-road riding skill and safety assessment. This will include your ability to safely control a motorcycle such as a controlled stop, sharp turns, riding slow and changing of direction.

The on-road assessment will look at your observational skills, safe speed choice and lane position. The length of time of this on-road assessment will be dependent on location, weather and traffic conditions.

The on-road skills that will be assessed are:

Observational skills

You will be assessed on your ability to read traffic, identify hazards and make safe riding decisions. These observational skills include:

performing head checks when joining traffic

  • turning at intersections
  • changing lanes, merging and diverging
  • checking it’s safe to proceed at intersections and traffic lights
  • looking in the direction of travel when moving off and turning

Safe speed choice

Riding at a safe speed is critical to riding safely on the road. You will be assessed on your ability to recognise and respond to situations where you need to slow down. If traffic and weather conditions allow you need to be able to travel at the speed limit comfortably. You will also need to maintain a safe gap when around other vehicles. I like to call this your safety bubble.

Lane position

Moving away from hazards such as other vehicles or pedestrians is essential to safe riding. You will be assessed on your ability to chose a safe and legal position on the road so that you always have a good safety bubble of space around you.

4. Your new motorcycle licence

Eligibility

  • Need to be 18 years old or older
  • Need to be a Victorian resident
  • Need to have an Australian motorcycle learner permit for a continuous period of at least 3 months
  • Have completed a check ride
  • Not be subject to a fines Victoria licence sanction
  • Need to be medically fit to ride. If you have a medical condition or take prescribed medication which may affect you ability to ride, you will need to provide the relevant medical reports before the assessment. You may need an initial assessment to establish your ability to ride a motorcycle.
Type of motorcycle licence issued

Once you have passed you motorcycle assessment, the type of licence you will be issued is a restricted licence or a probationary licence.

Restricted licence

This is issued if you already have a full Victorian drivers licence. An R will be added to your Victorian drivers licence to indicate that you have a restricted motorcycle licence. This restriction will last for 3 years and automatically become a full motorcycle licence with no restrictions after this time. See section “licence restrictions” for more information.

Probationary licence

This is issued if you are in your probationary period with your car licence, or if you don’t have a drivers licence but are under the age of 21. The first year is a P1 period and the next 3 years are a P2 period. If your over 21 year of age but have no drivers licence you will be issued with a P2 motorcycle licence lasting for 3 years. See “P1 and P2 probationary licence restrictions” for more information about restrictions.

Licence Restrictions

Once you complete your assessments and now have your learners permit or motorcycle licence, restrictions will apply depending on your situation.

Motorcycle learner permit (lasts for 15 months)

  • must ride with headlights on at all times
  • must wear an approved high vis vest or jacket that is visible and securely fitted
  • must display an L plate on the rear or the motorcycle that is clearly visible from 20 metres, do not cover licence plate
  • must carry your learner permit or receipt at all times while riding
  • must only ride a Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAMS) – Click here for a list
  • must not carry a pillion passenger
  • must have a zero blood alcohol concentration at all times while riding
  • must not use a mobile phone under any circumstances (including gps navigation)

 

Motorcycle restricted (R) licence (lasts for 3 years)

  • must ride with headlights on at all times
  • must carry your driver’s license with the (R) on it or receipt at all times while riding
  • must only ride a Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAMS) – Click here for a list
  • must not carry a pillion passenger
  • must have a zero blood alcohol concentration at all times while riding
  • must not use a mobile phone under any circumstances (including gps navigation)

If you have held an interstate or overseas licence for more than 3 years from your 18th birthday, you will be issued with a full motorcycle licence without any restrictions. If you haven’t held your motorcycle licence for 3 years from your 18th birthday and don’t hold a drivers licence, you will be issued with a P2 probationary licence minus the period you’ve held your interstate or overseas licence for.

P1 and P2 probationary licence restrictions

P1 Licence

  • you must carry your licence at all times while riding
  • you must show red P plates that can be seen from at least 20 metres away
  • have a zero blood alcohol concentration
  • you can’t use a mobile phone for any reason (including gps navigation)
  • you can’t carry a pillion passenger
  • you can’t ride a bike that’s not learner approved (LAMS)

 

P2 Licence

  • you must carry your licence at all times while riding
  • you must show green P plates that can be seen from at least 20 metres away
  • have a zero blood alcohol concentration
  • you can’t use a mobile phone for any reason (including gps navigation)
  • you can’t carry a pillion passenger
  • you can’t ride a bike that’s not learner approved (LAMS)

Getting your licence for a motorcycle in Victoria is getting harder and harder as time goes on. Vicroads call this the graduated licensing system (GLC). The aim is to start with harsher restrictions to protect new riders and ease these restrictions as they improve with experience. With more people interested in motorcycle riding, and large amount of traffic increases year to year in Victoria, these restrictions are designed to help protect new riders on busier roads. Most of this information in this article is taken directly from the Vicroads website as they are the ones who issue the licences. There’s lots of information to take in and many different steps in trying to obtain a motorcycle licence in Victoria so if you’re confused about any of the steps listed above, give Vicroads a call on 13 11 71 or visit the website www.vicroads.com for more information.