For those of you out there who are thinking about getting a motorcycle learners permit, sooner might be better than later!
If you have friends who have their motorcycle learners permit or licence, you may have got to talking about what’s involved over during a get together some time, and have it in your mind that getting your learners permit involves riding around in a car park for about half a day, completing some sort of ‘tick-and-flick’ theory test and handing over a couple of hundred dollars.
Well, that’s all about to change very soon.
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 – No Such Thing as a ‘Short’ Course
Exactly when Stage 2 will commence is still up in the air – even to Armstrongs. Sure, we have some idea, but the development of Stage 2 remains somewhat fluid. 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)
- 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
At this stage, there is no allowance for ‘experienced’ riders to complete a shorter course
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 – 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.
For all those wanting to avoid the uncertainty of Stage 2, there is still time. Give the team at Armstrongs a call.