License Confusion

[NightxAndy]

Hey, i just looked up Vicroads licensing to see when i would be able to get a bigger bike (over250cc).

I have been on my L's for a while now and am booking my P's tomorrow. I thought after 12 months of P's i could get my full license and buy a bigger bike but hes where i get confused. Im 19 and dont have a full or P plate car license so i have to wait 4 years on my motorcycle P's before i get get my full license?

even if i was 21 and had my full car license, u have to wait 12 months after that to get your full motorcycle license? DO U HAVE TO BE 22years old!

So confused.

[The Saint]

Gee I don't know, ask a Victorian?

[killswitch54923]

this is happening alot lately your on a perth based forum mate not gunna get much help here sorry.

in perth you must spend 1 year on your 250 ( RE license) then you can upgrade bike regardless of whether you have p-plates or not.

[Cole]

yea man this is perth street bike but over here if u dont have your car licence u have to do your hours on your bike then get your licence and then u can get your open a year after that ........................ well thats wat i have heard and that is in PERTH aswell

[delete_me_kthxbai]

Hehehehe. Folks, try Googling something to do with bikes or licences in Oz.. PSB is usually up near the top of the search listings.

I'm guessing the same thing exists there that is here - you will never get a straight answer from the Transport/Licensing authority over the phone.
Take the time and go speak to them in person. Or contact a local reputable instructor who should be able to help you get your full license.

[Ryven]

As found on the Vic Roads site here: Motorcycle licences : VicRoads

Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a motorcycle licence or learner permit you must be at least 18 years of age and a Victorian resident.
To obtain a motorcycle learner permit you will need to pass the following tests:

• eyesight test
• motorcycle learner permit skill assessment (a practical ride)
• motorcycle knowledge test
• learner permit road law knowledge test (not required if you already have a car learner permit)

To apply for a motorcycle licence you must have held a current motorcycle learner permit continuously for at least 3 months in the period immediately prior to applying for a motorcycle licence.
To obtain a motorcycle licence you will need to pass the following tests:

• eyesight test
• motorcycle licence skill test (a practical ride)
• hazard perception test (not required if you already have a car licence)

Type of motorcycle licence issued
The type of motorcycle licence issued to you (full or probationary) and specific restrictions and conditions will depend on the type of licence (if any) that you already hold.
Probationary riders under the age of 21 will be issued with a four year probationary licence card. The first year is the P1 probationary period and the following three years is the P2 probationary period.
Probationary riders 21 years or older will be issued with a three year probationary licence card, skipping the P1 period straight to a three year P2 probationary period.
If you already have a probationary car driver licence, you will be issued with a probationary motorcycle licence (motorcycle licence category added to your card). The motorcycle probationary period will end at the same time as your car probationary period.
If you already have a full car driver licence, you will be issued with a full motorcycle licence (motorcycle licence category added to your card). However, all newly licensed riders are subject to certain restrictions and conditions for the first 12 months from the date of issue.

Riding your motorcycle
If you hold a motorcycle learner permit or licence you are required to:

• wear an approved helmet while riding, and
• carry your motorcycle learner permit or licence card at all times while riding

When you first get your motorcycle licence (full or probationary), the following restrictions and conditions apply for 12 months from the date of issue (shown on your licence card):

• only ride a learner approved motorcycle (view list of approved motorcycles for novice riders)
• must not carry a pillion passenger (a forecar or sidecar passenger is acceptable)
• must have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) while riding

A probationary motorcycle licence holder must also display a P plate (red during P1 period, green during P2 period) on the back of your motorcycle, visible from a distance of 20 metres
Riding on a learner permit
A motorcycle learner permit holder must abide the conditions above as well as:

• display an L plate on the back of your motorcycle, visible from a distance of 20 metres, and
• not tow a trailer behind your motorcycle
  

Vic Roads rider handbook direct link here: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rd...erHandbook.pdf
It's far better and more thorough than anything we have in WA.

More information in L/P1/P2 system... In depth: http://www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au/do...DS_v10_web.pdf and the brief: http://www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au/do...YDS_DL_web.pdf

More information on LAMS: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rd...WebMay2008.pdf

As for the OP, you're young and an inexperienced driver/rider. So from what I can see, you're pretty much shit out of luck.

As I understand it:

While you're on your Ps you're restricted to cars that have a power to weight of 125kws per 1000kgs or less, and an engine capacity that does not exceed 3.5 litres. And motorcycles that have a power to weight not exceeding 150kws per 1000kgs or an engine exceeding 660ccs. Note that the bikes MUST also be on the LAMS approved list, link is above.

[peter600]

This weekend's sunday times had a write up on the CB400 and mentioned it as being a LAMS approved bike.
So there you go, you can ride a bigger bike already

[Ryven]

That just means it was a nationally aimed ad. Not the first time, won't be the last time.

[mark_r]

While you're on your Ps you're restricted to cars that have a power to weight of 125kws per 1000kgs or less, and an engine capacity that does not exceed 3.5 litres. And motorcycles that have a power to weight not exceeding 150kws per 1000kgs or an engine exceeding 660ccs. Note that the bikes MUST also be on the LAMS approved list, link is above.

My reading of the VicRoads info in Ryven's post is that the rider must be on a LAMS bike for the first twelve months of their probationary period (not the whole length).

When you first get your motorcycle licence (full or probationary), the following restrictions and conditions apply for 12 months from the date of issue (shown on your licence card):

* only ride a learner approved motorcycle (view list of approved motorcycles for novice riders)

But for the definitive answer, Ask VicRoads - don't ask a bunch of random people in Western Australia who have access only to exactly the same resources as the OP.

Contact us : VicRoads