the system here in oz is similarly complicated too.
ill give it my best shot...here goes....
at 17years and 9 months of age (don't ask why the 9 months, i've no idea)
you can go to the motor registry and apply for your learners liscense. once you have passed a computerised test, you then have to pass a pre learners practical test ,8 hours training over two days covering theory on day one, and practical riding on a closed area on day two (usually on a 250cc bike).
once you have passed this test, you go back to the registry and they issue you with a Learners permit. this allows you to ride a "learner aproved motorcycle" on oz roads. you have to display a yellow plate with a black "L" on it.
many years ago any 250cc or under bike was learner legal. but this has now changed to a more seisible power to weight ratio based system where some 600cc bikes are now learner legal. too many learners were killing themselves on suzuki RGV 250's and the ilk.
you have to hold the Learners license for a minium of 3 months before you can book a Provisional test. this involves another Pre Provisional test. (yet another two days testing and another computerised knowlege test). if you pass this test you then go back to the registry office, and pay for the provisional liscense. you have to ride for two years on this provisional license. all this time you must continue to ride a "learner aproved motorcycle" you must display a "P" plate during this two year period.
the first year it's a red "P" on a white plate, the second year it's a green "P" on a white plate.
assuming that you make it through this 2 year phase without loosing your license, you then go onto a full license. you can then ride any size / power bike that you want.
ps.. even 50cc scooters require a bike license in my state!
"hops onto soap box"
there is one other thing (with witch i do not agree at all). if you are over 30 years old, and have a full car license, you can skip all the L and P plate stuff, and go jump straight onto an R1 or similar. there are zero restrictions on what you can ride.
now, in my mind, just because you have managed to survive till the age of 30, and have a full car license, does not mean that you know how to ride a bike on the road!
"hops off soap box"
sorry for the long post, but that's how it's done here, atleast in my state.
other states differ, as theres no uniform system between all the states here!
hope i made some sort of sense here.
jason.
ill give it my best shot...here goes....
at 17years and 9 months of age (don't ask why the 9 months, i've no idea)
you can go to the motor registry and apply for your learners liscense. once you have passed a computerised test, you then have to pass a pre learners practical test ,8 hours training over two days covering theory on day one, and practical riding on a closed area on day two (usually on a 250cc bike).
once you have passed this test, you go back to the registry and they issue you with a Learners permit. this allows you to ride a "learner aproved motorcycle" on oz roads. you have to display a yellow plate with a black "L" on it.
many years ago any 250cc or under bike was learner legal. but this has now changed to a more seisible power to weight ratio based system where some 600cc bikes are now learner legal. too many learners were killing themselves on suzuki RGV 250's and the ilk.
you have to hold the Learners license for a minium of 3 months before you can book a Provisional test. this involves another Pre Provisional test. (yet another two days testing and another computerised knowlege test). if you pass this test you then go back to the registry office, and pay for the provisional liscense. you have to ride for two years on this provisional license. all this time you must continue to ride a "learner aproved motorcycle" you must display a "P" plate during this two year period.
the first year it's a red "P" on a white plate, the second year it's a green "P" on a white plate.
assuming that you make it through this 2 year phase without loosing your license, you then go onto a full license. you can then ride any size / power bike that you want.
ps.. even 50cc scooters require a bike license in my state!
"hops onto soap box"
there is one other thing (with witch i do not agree at all). if you are over 30 years old, and have a full car license, you can skip all the L and P plate stuff, and go jump straight onto an R1 or similar. there are zero restrictions on what you can ride.
now, in my mind, just because you have managed to survive till the age of 30, and have a full car license, does not mean that you know how to ride a bike on the road!
"hops off soap box"
sorry for the long post, but that's how it's done here, atleast in my state.
other states differ, as theres no uniform system between all the states here!
hope i made some sort of sense here.
jason.
