Stay Upright - Getting a Motorcycle Licence in the ACT
Sure it's a wee bit chilly in winter, but on the upside it hardly ever rains so just look at the savings in wet weather gear!
R-rated: Whatever your choice of machine, from a small automatic scooter to a thundering behemoth, you will need an 'R' (Rider) class on your licence to ride legally in the ACT. Getting started is easy and being the sole provider of rider training and assessment services to Canberra residents for almost 20 years, Stay Upright knows exactly how to make the process quick and enjoyable.
If you are an ACT resident of at least 16 years and 9 months of age, but have no licence at all, you must first complete the Road Ready program. This great initiative is unique to the ACT and is compulsory for all first time road users. Road Ready is classroom-based and includes a variety of interactive activities designed to help make young people aware of issues relating to safer road use before they venture onto the road in cars or on motorbikes. It's delivered free during Year 10 of high school or, for a small fee to anyone else at Road Ready Centres across Canberra. The course includes a computerised ACT Road Rules knowledge test. Once this test is passed, you present the paperwork to the ACT Government along with proof of age and ACT residency to get your learner driver licence.
Pre-learner course: If you already have an ACT driver licence or have just got your Ls, ring Stay Upright and book a Pre-Learner Motorcycle rider training course. This course is compulsory and similar to beginners courses held in other States. It includes everything you must know to get started as a learner rider. No prior knowledge of motorbikes or previous riding skill is required, but good balance and coordination are important.
The pre-learner course runs for 9 hours, usually over two half days. Occasional one day weekday courses are popular with those who maybe have ridden before. Helmet, gloves and bike/scooter hire are included in the price. The course starts with getting on and off correctly and continues with identifying and operating the controls, starting and shutting down the engine, smooth operation of clutch in moving off, braking, changing gears, riding curves and of course stopping quickly just in case you have to. Besides the physical control of the machine, a number of activities teach the new riders how to identify hazards and manage the everyday risks they will face as motorcyclists each time they leave their driveways.
Once you have passed the pre-learner course, another trip to the ACT RTA will be rewarded with an R learner class being added to your C class licence. R Ls last for up to 2 years in the ACT which gives heaps of time for riding practice to prepare for the provisional rider assessment. Stay Upright can assist new riders with a range of training and skill development activities to prepare for their P test.
Riders with the 'MOST': In the ACT, a variation of the Alternate Motorcycle Operator Skills Test - 'MOST', is used to assess a learner's skill and readiness for a provisional licence. The MOST enables an objective assessment of how well the basic riding skills learned in the pre-learner course have been developed through practice. Once a month we hold MOST Open Mornings where learners can have a go at the test 'just for fun' to see how their skills are developing and to get tips to improve.
Like any test, the MOST strikes dread into some, but it really isn't that difficult. Those who have practiced rarely have any problems with the MOST and the ACT Government consoles those who don't get through the first time by fully subsidising their attendance at a one day provisional training course run by Stay Upright. The provisional R licence lasts for a minimum of 12 months.
Learner and provisional licence restrictions are becoming increasingly standardised across Australia. In the ACT, a power to weight limit of 100kw/tonne applies but unlike other States, the Territory has no engine capacity limit so Harleys with Ls are not uncommon. Pillions cannot be carried, you can't tow a trailer, blood alcohol concentration must stay under 0.02% and a yellow L or red P must hang off the back. ACT learners can ride anywhere in the ACT at the posted speed limit but if they cross the border into NSW, the State's 80 kph learner speed limit kicks in so watch out.
While you have to be in your late teens to become a licenced rider, it's never too late to get started. Judging by the increasing average age of prospective riders ringing our office, it is clearly no longer the sole domain of the 'young and restless'. Regardless of age or gender, the social and economic benefits and downright fun and excitement of motorbikes and scooters are enticing riders of all ages out of their tin tops and onto two wheels. Give Stay Upright a call to find out more
Until next time, stay upright . . . in the ACT!
Dave Gibson
ACT Manager
Stay Upright Motorcycle Techniques
