Graduated licensing scheme for Victoria
Will be introduced from October, 2014, with a second stage, including on-road assessments and a revised learner curriculum, to come into effect from 2015Learner motorcycle riders will have to wear a high visibility vest or jacket when the first stage of a Graduated Licensing System (GLS) is adopted in Victoria from October 2014.
The Victorian Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder, made the GLS announcement in Melbourne this morning, with the system to be introduced in two stages over the next 18 months.
The new motorcycle GLS will include:
RESTRICTED LICENCE PHASE
- Ride with headlight on at all times
- No mobile phone use
- Can only ride an automatic motorcycle if tested in an automatic motorcycle
- Compulsory carriage of licence
Retaining current requirements:
- Must only ride a learner-approved motorcycle
- Zero BAC
- No pillion passenger
The duration for the conditions will be increased from the current one year to three years, in concert with new car drivers.
LEARNER PHASE
- Ride with headlight on at all times
- Wear a high visibility vest or jacket whilst riding
- Can only ride an automatic motorcycle if tested in an automatic motorcycle
Retaining current requirements:
- Must only ride a learner-approved motorcycle
- Zero BAC
- No pillion passenger
- No mobile phone use
- Must display L plates
- Compulsory carriage of permit
“The motorcycle GLS is being introduced in two stages over the next 18 months to help make new riders, safer. It follows extensive consultation with rider groups and road safety experts,” Mr Mulder said. “We’ve had great results with the GLS reducing road trauma among new car drivers and we want to extend these safety outcomes to motorcyclists as well.
“The system will gradually remove restrictions to manage their risk as they gain the experience for them to become safer road users.”
The Victorian Coalition Government is investing approximately $2.92 million from the Motorcycle Safety Levy to fund the development and implementation of the GLS.
Any rider who passes their test on an automatic motorcycle or scooter will not be allowed to ride a manual motorcycle until they have completed their restricted licence period or have been retested on a manual motorcycle.
The second stage of the GLS in late 2015 will introduce:
- A new pre-learner training curriculum which will be required to be undertaken by all learner applicants
- A new on-road learner test
- An assessment of capabilities as learners gain experience
- New on-road licence test
These changes will not be retrospective and will therefore only apply to riders who receive their leaner permit or licence after the introduction dates for the new scheme.
“New riders will have to complete the mandatory training session and an on-road assessment before they start riding solo,” Mr Mulder said. “For people who have never ridden a motorbike before, adequate training is vital and the on-road test will ensure they have the skills to reduce their chances of being involved in a crash.
“Motorcycle groups have told us they support improvements to training and this was also a key recommendation of the Parliamentary Road Safety Committee in its Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety.”
The GLS literature doesn’t mention supervised riding, which initially caused some consternation when the GLS was first being discussed in government circles way back in 2009. At the time, the Motorcycle Riders Association said that riders could be faced with costs of nearly $14,000 if they needed to hire the services of an accredited rider training instructor.
Introducing the motorcycle GLS was one of the key initiatives in Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-22 and Action Plan (2013-16).
For more information about the motorcycle GLS and its changes click HERE
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