How to get a motorbike licence in Victoria (VIC)

In today’s contemporary society, securing a motorcycle license is crucial for individuals aiming to achieve greater personal freedom and mobility. Beyond enabling quick and efficient travel on roads, this credential plays a pivotal role in enhancing overall road safety. By mandating essential training and rigorous skills assessments, it ensures that motorcycle riders are well-prepared to navigate diverse road conditions safely. This article provides a detailed exploration of the procedures involved in obtaining a motorcycle license in Victoria (VIC). Our guide aims to empower upcoming riders with the knowledge needed to navigate this significant milestone confidently and successfully.

Eligibility Requirements:

To obtain a motorbike licence in Victoria (VIC), individuals must fulfill certain essential criteria. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid learner permit. Which can be used as a proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate, along with evidence of Victorian residency. Additionally, completing a VicRoads accredited motorcycle safety course is mandatory. These rigorous prerequisites are meticulously designed to equip applicants with the vital skills and legal certifications necessary for safe and proficient motorcycle operation on Victoria’s roads. By adhering to these standards, applicants contribute to fostering enhanced road safety and promoting responsible riding practices across the region.

Step 1:Learner Permit Course

The leaner course in Victoria (VIC) plays a pivotal role in the journey towards obtaining a motorbike licence, offering a foundational training experience essential for new riders. This structured program is designed to teach people who have never used a motorcycle before crucial riding skills. It includes a blend of theoretical classroom sessions where participants learn about bike handling techniques, hazard perception, and the specific traffic laws pertinent to motorcycles. Practical riding exercises, conducted under supervised conditions, further reinforce these skills, preparing riders for real-world road scenarios.

The duration of the learner course is typically two days, but may depend on the training provider. Course costs are typically $500-600. Successful completion of this course is the only way of getting your motorcycle learner’s permit.

To begin

To begin the first stage of your motorcycle journey, you’ll need to be (VicRoads):

18 years old or older
A Victorian resident
Not disqualified from holding or getting a Victorian learner permit
Not be subject to a Fines Victoria(External link) licence sanction
Medically fit to ride.

You must also bring:

Photo Identification
Full skin coverage clothing (must be full-length pants, and a long sleeve upper garment, with no rips or tears in either )
Closed-toe shoes or boots, ankles must be covered

You may or may not need a Victorian Car Learner Permit (or greater), but we recommend you to call your training centre to confirm before booking.

You do not need to purchase or bring your own helmet or other motorcycle safety gear, but you can if you want. The training centre would provide at least an adequate helmet.

We encourage new riders to become familiar with the Victorian rider handbook as it will help prepare you for the motorcycle knowledge and licence tests.

Day 1:

The first day of the course covers basic riding skills, including how to use basic controls such as mirrors, brakes, and gears. Participants will learn how to get moving, stop, turn, and change gears. The day includes a discussion on the unique aspects of motorcycling and an introduction to roadcraft tactics. Additionally, there will be guidance on what to look for when buying riding gear and a motorcycle knowledge assessment.

You will also have to complete the knowledge test. The test is paper-based and safety-focused, specifically, road rules pertaining to motorcycles. It consists of 32 questions on paper and requires a 78% mark to pass. This means you need to answer at least 25 out of 32 questions correctly.

Day 2:

On the second day of the course, participants will focus on developing slow-speed maneuvering skills, steering and cornering techniques, and emergency braking. The day will also cover strategies for safe road riding. Additionally, there will be a simulated road ride conducted on the training pad for off-road (i.e. parking lot) assessment.

Before reaching the on-road assessment, you must have demonstrated good control of the motorcycle by repeating some exercises learned during the course. The on-road assessment evaluates safe riding behaviours in a ‘real world’ setting. The riding instructor will take you and the group to a predetermined area to assess your ability to manage your motorcycle and your understanding of road rules. During the assessment, you will take turns leading the group, including your instructor, through the route. You will be familiarized with the route beforehand. It is important to note that this is not a navigational exercise, so if you get lost, you will not be penalized.

What happens if I SUCCESSFULLY complete the learner permit course in Victoria?

Once you’ve successfully completed the course you’ll be instantly issued with your motorcycle learner permit card, which will be a piece of paper issued by the course centre until VicRoads mails you a plastic version. The permit officially allows you behind a motorcycle, however it is only valid for 15 months, so we encourage riders to not excessively delay getting their Check Ride and probationary motorcycle license. You will also have to abide by the restrictions in place (e.g. only riding LAMS-approved motorcycles, with a high-viz vest, zero BAC, no pillion, etc.)

What happens if I FAIL the motorcycle Learner Permit Course in Victoria?

If you have failed the course, and you wish to continue, you will have to re-attend the section you have failed. If you have failed on Day 2, you may only need to reattend a Day 2 course.

You may also be charged or allotted free retries.

But these are very dependent on individual training centres. We encourage you to call the training centre before booking to ensure you are satisfied with the training centre’s procedures if you do happen to fail.

Step 2: Check Ride

After holding a learner permit for a minimum of at least 1 month and gaining sufficient riding experience, riders in Victoria must complete a Check Ride as the next step towards advancing their motorcycle licence.

A Check Ride is a half-day supervised ride that includes an off-road (i.e. parking lot) review of your braking, steering, and low-speed maneuvering skills, followed by an on-road ride that takes place on a predetermined route that covers a variety of riding environments, including multi-lane highways, narrow country roads, shopping centres, and hills with bends.

The duration of the ride will depend on traffic and weather conditions. You will ride with a group of up to five participants, and your instructor will provide feedback and discuss practical ways to reduce the risk of crashing. Participants will take turns leading the ride while the instructor observes and assesses your riding skills.

While somewhat similar to what you do on the second day of the learner permit course, the Check Ride is intended to be an opportunity for the rider to gain feedback from an experienced instructor, while being very similar to what you will do for your full licence assessment (except it is longer and it will be just you and your instructor).

While it is possible to fail the Check Ride, it is generally considered ‘hard to fail’ if you have ridden your motorcycle enough to become comfortable with it. The Check Ride typically costs between $200-$300.

What happens if I SUCCESSFULLY complete the Check Ride course in Victoria?

Upon successfully completing the check ride, the rider will be issued with a certificate of completion, which you will need to give when you attend your motorcycle licence assessment.

What happens if I FAIL the Check Ride Course in Victoria?

If you fail the check ride, you will need to do it again.

You may also be charged or allotted free retries, but again, these are very dependent on individual training centres so we encourage you to call the training centre before booking to ensure you are satisfied with the training centre’s procedures if you do happen to fail.

Step 3: Probationary Licence

If you have held your learner’s permit for more than 3 months and it has been more than 1 month since your Check Ride, you would now be eligible to complete your Licence assessment.

The licence assessment involves two parts. The first part is an introductory off-road (i.e. parking lot) riding skill assessment. This evaluates your ability to control a motorcycle safely through tasks such as a controlled stop, sharp left turn, slow ride, change of path, navigating a curve, and a quick stop. Similar to what you did in your learner’s course and the very first part of your check ride.

The second part is an on-road safe riding assessment. After demonstrating competency in the first part, the real test begins as your skills will be assessed on-road. For about ~ 1 hour, you will be evaluated on observation skills, safe speed choice, and lane position.

Observation skills include your ability to read traffic, look for hazards, and make safe decisions. This involves performing head checks, turning at intersections, changing lanes, merging, and ensuring it is safe to proceed at intersections and traffic lights.

Safe speed choice is critical to safe riding on-road. You’ll be assessed on your ability to recognize and respond to situations where you need to slow down, demonstrate confident travel at the speed limit when conditions allow, and maintain a safe gap behind other vehicles.

Lane position involves moving away from hazards such as other vehicles and pedestrians. You’ll be assessed on your ability to choose a safe and legal position on the road to maximize space from hazards.

The duration of this assessment depends on traffic and weather conditions at your location, generally, it would be for 1.5 hours.

If you do not have a car licence, you may very likely need a valid hazards perception test certificate.

What happens if I SUCCESSFULLY complete the Licence course in Victoria?

If you have passed your motorcycle licence course, then congratulations! This is the last course you need to do. Every subsequent stage from here on will upgrade by itself on their respective dates (e.g. P1, P2, LAMS).

Once you pass your licence assessment, the type of licence you receive, whether probationary or a restricted full licence, will depend on several factors:

If you already hold a Victorian driver licence, your motorcycle licence category ‘R’ will be added to your existing licence. If your driver licence is probationary, the motorcycle probationary period will coincide with your driver licence probationary period. All novice riders are subject to restrictions and conditions for a specified period.

If you do not have a driver licence and are under 21 years of age, you will be issued a four-year motorcycle probationary licence. The first year will be the probationary P1 period, followed by a three-year probationary P2 period. Both probationary and motorcycle restrictions will apply.

If you are 21 years or older, you will be issued a three-year motorcycle probationary P2 licence. The probationary and motorcycle restrictions will apply.

What happens if I FAIL the Licence Course in Victoria?

If you fail the licence course, you will need to do it again. Your instructor may interrupt mid-assessment to send you home.

Don’t forget to keep in mind that you might have to pay for extra attempts or use up your free retries, these policies vary greatly among different training centres so we recommend calling before you book your test to make sure you understand and agree with their retry procedures in case you don’t pass on your first try.

Step 4: Getting off your LAMS

You do not need to do anything to progress off your LAMS restrictions other than wait. The countdown for the three-year LAMS restriction only begins after you have (successfully) completed the license course.

The three-year LAMS restriction is a requirement for all Victorians who obtain their motorcycle license. This duration does not change regardless of your age or if you already hold a full car license.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How old do I need to be to get a motorbike licence in Victoria (VIC)?

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a motorbike licence in Victoria.

2. Do I need a supervisor riding with me at all times for my learner’s permit?

No. Unlike some other states (Queensland), a Victorian learner permit will allow you to ride by yourself, solo.

3. Do I need to complete a learner course?

Yes, completing a VicRoads-accredited learner course is mandatory to be able to ride a motorcycle. This course provides essential riding skills and road safety knowledge.

If you have a licence from overseas, you may be able to convert it into a Victorian licence.

4. What are the restrictions with a learner licence?

Learners in Victoria (VIC) must display L plates, refrain from carrying passengers, adhere to a zero alcohol limit, wear a high-viz and you must not lane filter.

5. How do I upgrade from a learner to a provisional licence?

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6. Do I need a car license to get a motorcycle license?

No, you do not need a car license to obtain a motorcycle license in Victoria, you may need a learner’s permit.

7. What is the quickest way to get a non-lams, full-power motorcycle?

The quickest way would be to complete the first three stages as quickly as possible (learner permit test, check ride and licence test). However, this is not recommended as it is likely that you may be rushing through the stages and not adequately giving yourself enough time to develop the skills necessary to even pass the tests. You may end up having to pay more money as a result.

It is recommended, for your safety, to practice and ensure you have become comfortable and fluent using your motorcycle before progressing through the next stages.

The countdown for the three-year LAMS restriction only begins after you have (successfully) completed the license course. Unfortunately, there is no faster way to progress through this stage.

8. What safety gear is required when riding a motorcycle in Victoria?

Riders must wear a helmet that meets Australian standards, and it is recommended to wear protective clothing such as gloves, jackets, pants, and boots. You will also need to wear an appropriate hi-viz vest over your jacket if you are on your learner’s permit.

9. Are there any restrictions for learner and probationary riders?

Yes, learner and probationary riders must have a zero BAC, cannot carry passengers, must display L or P plates, and abide by LAMS restrictions. Those are the typical restrictions, but you may be subject to more. Your learner’s permit or licence will display the restrictions to your permit/licence appropriately.

10. What if I am nervous or I need more training?

Many motorcycle licence assessment centres offer one-on-one off-rad (i.e parking lot) training, usually for an hour. What you decide to do during can be decided upon by you. You do not need a licence or learner permit to attend. There are even some similar options available for under 18’s.