Thursday, 15 August 2019

In reply to  Mr LIMBRICK (South Eastern Metropolitan) (20 June 2019)

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating):

The Andrews Labor Government is committed to a sustainable transport system that meets the needs of a growing Victorian community, and recognises that powered two-wheelers (PTW), including mopeds, area part of Victoria’s transport future.

As a leader in road safety, Victoria has always taken an evidence-based approach to reducing road trauma and implementing initiatives shown by research to provide genuine road safety benefits to the community. This has resulted in significant reductions in road trauma, realised over several decades.

In Victoria, mopeds are treated in the same way as motorcycles for the purpose of registration and licensing, due to the handling characteristics and the skills required to operate the vehicle. These vehicles are classified under the same road rules and regulations. For licensing purposes, moped riders must complete the same graduated licensing scheme as other PTW riders.

VicRoads (now the Department of Transport) has implemented a compulsory motorcycle curriculum and testing system as part of its Graduated Licensing System (GLS), to address the high-risks facing motorcyclists. Allowing scooters to be ridden on a car licence without any assessment of the rider’s skill, to safely ride the vehicle or to undergo any education about safe riding, would circumvent the safety benefits arising from the new rider GLS.

Further information regarding licensing can be accessed at by searching ‘motorcycle licence and learner permit’.