Big Changes on the Horizon for New Motorcycle Riders

  • Post category:News

Whilst the road toll amongst car drivers has decreased over recent years, unfortunately the road toll has not dropped by the same extent amongst motorcyclists. This has resulted in VicRoads taking a long and hard look at how motorcycle learners permit and motorcycle license training and assessment is currently being delivered by its accredited providers (such as Armstrongs).

learning to drive

VicRoads research indicates that ‘inexperience’ is a major contributor to Victorian motorcycle crashes. More of a concern is that learners permit riders and first year licenced riders comprise almost one-third of motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries!

As a result VicRoads have developed a new Motorcycle Graduated Licensing System (M-GLS).

Stage 1 – How Does It Affect New Riders

driving a scooterStage 1 of the new M-GLS was introduced in October last year and we saw a temporary spike in people wanting to get their learners permit before Stage 1 restrictions came into play. Stage 1 didn’t result in any changes to the length – and therefore cost – of courses, but it did add a number of additional significant conditions.

If your learners permit was issued on or after 1 October 2014 then these new restrictions also apply;

  •  you must also ride with your headlight on at all times
  •  you must also wear a hi-vis vest or jacket when riding
  • if you were tested on an automatic (for example a scooter), then you will be restricted to riding an automatic motorcycle.

 

If your motorcycle licence was issued on or after 1 October 2014 then these restrictions also apply;

 

learning to drive

  • you must also ride with your headlight on at all times
  • no mobile phone use
  • no towing
  • if you were tested on an automatic (for example a scooter), then you will be restricted to riding an automatic motorcycle
  • you must carry your licence
  • existing and new conditions will now be in place for 3 years

 

Stage 2 – Keep a Look Out For More Information Coming Soon!

Contact us to find out more about how to get your Learners Permit or Licence before Stage 2 commences check out our learners permit and licence course pages for further details.