As at 19 March 2016 all VicRoads Accredited Motorcycle Training and Assessment Providers will be required to deliver motorcycle learners permit and license training in a standardised format in accordance with the new Motorcycle Graduated Licensing System (M-GLS) training and assessment requirements.

The new M-GLS will be introduced to combat fatalities among motorcyclists and in response to research that indicates that rider ‘inexperience’ is a major contributor to Victorian motorcycle crashes – with learner and first year licensed riders comprising almost a third of all motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries!

Under the new M-GLS, motorcycle training organisations will no longer have the flexibility or authority to conduct learners permit or licence course that do not comply with the new M-GLS requirements – specifically the new M-GLS makss no allowances for “experienced” riders and “short courses” have been abolished for all prospective learners permit riders, irrespective of their prior riding knowledge and experience.

That means that all learners permit and license courses under the new M-GLS will be the same – same training timeframes, same training requirements – irrespective of the motorcycle training organisation you go to.

The new M-GLS therefore ensures that every prospective motorcycle learner and first-year rider gets the right amount of training and riding practice in the critical first stages of their training. No ‘ifs, no buts’.

The new M-GLS learners permit course is designed to give new and novice motorcycle riders the opportunity to gain experience and acquire critical riding skills both on the training range and out on the road under the supervision of Armstrongs highly experienced team of trainers.

Under the previous motorcycle training system, ‘how quick can you do it’ and ‘how cheap can you do it’ where the most common questions asked. However, under the new M-GLS, the key questions that anyone thinking of getting their learners permit or licence will need to ask any motorcycle training provider will now be:

• What facilities do have? – You’re going to be there for 2 days now, not 2 hours…

• What motorcycles do you use for the on-road training? – Clapped-out old training bikes might be good for the training range, but you’re going to want something better suited to the road come on-road training time.
• How long have your trainers been doing this? – Trust in your instructor and the training organisation is going to be a big thing under the new M-GLS. You want someone next to you who you can trust as you inch that front wheel out onto the road for the very first time.

• What other support will you give me during the course? – You’ll need to pass certain criteria along the way and if you don’t you may not be able to progress. You don’t want to ever be in a position during your course where you feel as though you’ve been left to work it out for yourself.

• How will you keep me safe? – All going well, you’ll be on the road on your second day of learners permit course (other stages of the M-GLS are also conducted on-road). You’ve literally just learnt to ride and understandably nerves may be starting to creep in as you start to pull out amongst the traffic.  What other measures will the training organisation take to keep you safe whilst you’re out on the road for the first time?

Ultimately, who you chose to do your motorcycle learners permit or license training with is going to come down to who you trust. So picture yourself about to go out onto the road for the very first time.  Then ask yourself “who do I trust to watch out for me and keep me safe?”  The answer is simple.  Armstrongs – your motorcycle licensing specialist.

If the thought of a more comprehensive motorcycle training experience (including on-road training) excites you then you can find more detail on the 3-Step process here, then give us a call!