Contrary to popular belief – well at least according to some of the posts we’ve been seeing across our social media – VicRoads did not decide to comprehensively change the way motorcycle training and assessment is conducted because “they want to make some more money”.

In fact we would argue that it wasn’t VicRoads at all who brought upon the changes.  Ultimately, it was riders themselves – and by extension the motorcycle training industry.  Let us explain.

As VicRoads duly points out (we have highlighted some key words):

‘While the road toll among car drivers, including novice drivers, has decreased over recent years, the fatalities among motorcyclists have not decreased by the same extent. Research indicates that inexperience is a major contributor to Victorian motorcycle crashes, with learner and first year licensed riders comprising almost one-third of all motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries.’

In short, new riders are over-represented in the crash stats.  They are over-represented in the crash stats because they are inexperienced.  They are inexperienced because they receive very little training.  They receive very little training because motorcycle training providers make more money by getting more people through the doors.  You get more people through the doors by running shorter courses.  As a result of shorter courses students receive less training.  As a result of receiving less training students do not have the amount of riding skill that they should before they take to the road.  As a result of their lower levels of skill new riders easily find themselves over-represented in the crash stats.  They are over-represented in the crash stats because they are inexperienced…oh, we just came full circle!

So how then does the new Motorcycle Graduated Licensing System (M-GLS) actually deliver better training outcomes and stop newbies from getting squashed out there?  Well, given that at present learners permit and license courses are not consistent across Victoria from one provider to the next, training outcomes (ie the level of skill that riders ‘ride’ away with at the end of their course) are also not consistent.

That means if you come to Armstrongs you’ll end up with awesome training (of course) but if you go to ‘Churn-n-Burn Learners Permitz R Us’ (if there is a real company out there called this we apologise!) then you may end up with practically no training.  The new system will ensure that all training providers deliver a consistent service and that all riders cover the same skills areas for the same amount of time.  The training is therefore EFFECTIVE. Plus riders will now be able to compare providers and make an informed choice knowing exactly what it is that they will receive and that training program is identical from one training provider to another.

Armstrongs has previously blogged about the changes that Stage 1 of the new Motorcycle Graduated Licensing System (M-GLS) brought.  Given that Stage 1 changes were all about placing additional restrictions on newly minted learners permit riders and licence riders.  The way in which accredited providers – such as Armstrongs – delivered that training was not affected.

 

Stage 2 – ‘Short’ Courses Are History

The exact date for the implementation of Stage 2 remains somewhat fluid, but we can confirm that it will be in March 2016 (world’s worst keep secret!).   For all the future weekend dirt bike riders, scooter riding café set, laid back cruisers, and sports bike riders out there, this is what we do know:

• The new learners permit course will be increased to two days (or the equivalent of) which is basically four times the length of most motorcycle courses currently offered by motorcycle training providers;
• Learners will be required to undertake both off-road and on-road training and assessment;
• Learners will need to successfully pass their off-road assessment before they can commence their on-road training and assessment;
• there will be no allowance for “experienced” riders to complete a shorter course;
• the number of students per course will be capped and the number of courses a motorcycle training provider can conduct is directly linked to the number of training ranges a provider has;
• VicRoads will easily be able to see if any providers are cheating the system (and going against the very spirit of the new system) just by dividing the total number of students by the maximum number of students per course and dividing that by the number of training ranges a provider has.  Simple as that!
• Motorcycle training providers will be forced to compete on value and how well they can create a customer experience.  Not by slashing prices (which slashes training time of course).  Not by shortening courses (which also slashes training time of course) but through good old fashioned “value” and “customer service”.  Some are going to struggle… 

 

Armstrongs is actually really excited about the new changes and will always support moves to increase mandatory minimum timeframes.  More training, more experience, more confidence, less incidents and accidents – isn’t that the key to safer first time riders?  Of course it is!

Consumers will benefit from the implementation of Stage 2, but unfortunately at a cost to their hip pocket.  The days of short, relatively inexpensive, motorcycle training courses are coming to an end.

Sure, get in while you can if you want to take advantage of the small window of opportunity that is left to get your learners permit or licence under the current system.  But if you want a ‘real’ and genuinely worthwhile training experience, and you don’t desperately need your learners permit or licence right now, then we’d wait for the start of the new system in March 2016.  It’s going to be a lot of fun.

You read more about the new M-GLS here, or check out our current learners permit and licence courses and then give the team a call.

C’mon VicRoads! You’ve come this far, don’t stop.  Heavy vehicle minimum training times is the next logical step.  The Yanks have already done it!  It’s a no brainer and there’s no risk because you won’t be sticking your neck on something that hasn’t been done before.  For any VicRoads employee out there who happens to be reading this (we live in hope) click here for more info on this.  Ok, we’re getting off our soap-box now…