- Published:
- Saturday 13 February 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is helping Victorian motorcyclists to be safer on our roads with the introduction of the second phase of the Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) for motorcyclists.
Phase 2 of the Motorcycle GLS will come into effect in Melbourne and Geelong on 19 March and 2 April across the rest of regional Victoria.
Motorcyclists applying for their learners licence will need to pass a two day training assessment before they are issued with a learner permit. The course will include both classroom and practical training.
The training assessment will include practical and theoretical training. The practical training will include off road exercises in a safe and controlled environment as well as on road training. At the end of the two days applicants will be assessed.
Motorcyclist L Platers will also be required to undertake more extensive training and testing. They will now need to complete a 6 hour training session called Check Ride.
Check Ride will provide advice on safe riding skills and strategies while they are learning. As well, discussions of on-road tactics and strategies are an important focus of the Check Ride.
These discussions provide an opportunity to correct misunderstandings about on-road riding and reinforce the need for safe riding behaviours.
The training will have a greater emphasis not only on basic skills but also higher order skills such as awareness, judgement and decision making.
There will also be an on-road assessment as part of the motorcycle licence application.
Inexperience is a major contributor to motorcycle crashes in Victoria, with learner and first year licensed riders accounting for almost one-third of all motorcyclist fatalities and serious injuries.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads & Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“Unfortunately this year we’ve already seen eleven motorcyclists die on Victorian roads.”
“One life is too many and that’s why we’re increasing training and support to learners who are our most vulnerable motorcyclists.”
“First time riders require practice in order to be safe on-road and a Graduated Licensing Scheme helps ensure they have the required skills and experience needed to be safe.”
“The GLS scheme is based on evidence and research to specifically target the most common crashes that motorcyclists are involved in.”