How to Prepare for Your Victoria Motorcycle Licence Test in Melbourne

Have you been planning on getting your Victorian motorcycle licence? Naturally, we think that’s a fantastic idea, but it’s one that can come with quite a bit of anxiety for those that are new to riding. We in the BLYGO team have recently spoken with a few new riders about their experiences and concerns in getting their Learners Permits for the first time. So, we thought it’d be a good idea to get people prepared for their test with a quick guide on what to expect and what you’ll likely experience.

Understand the Process

In Victoria, everything starts with getting your learner permit, followed by some time on the road, and then passing the licence assessment. Here’s the basic rundown:

Learner Permit

You’ll need to complete a two-day Motorcycle Permit Assessment (MPA) course.

There are quite a few places you can do this in Melbourne, but some of the top choices for new riders are: Ridetek, Allstar Motorcycle Training, Stay Upright, Baylink Motorcycle Training Centre, and HART. Speaking personally, I went with HART in Kilsyth, but I’ve heard fantastic things about each of these institutions, so go with whichever one suits your needs. Just note that classes are generally very small, meaning they will fill up quickly, especially on weekends. If you have the ability to do your course on a weekday, it will not only be easier to get a place, but it will often be cheaper.

Practice Period

Hold your learner permit for at least three months (and no more than 15 months). Between the three month and fifteen month mark, you can go for your full licence at any time. Just remember that it will be expected you’ve been riding during that time. There are different courses offered for if you want to ride all bikes or specifically just scooters/Vespas, so keep that in mind depending on the vehicle you have available. Riding a scooter is fantastic, but if all of your experience is on a scooter, then going for your bike test after three months will be tricky.

Check Ride

Complete a half-day coaching session to prep for the final test. Contrary to some information I’ve seen online, the Check Ride is mandatory in order to book your Licence Assessment, so make sure you factor it into your timeline.

Licence Assessment

Pass the Motorcycle Licence Assessment (MLA), which includes both on-range and on-road tests. This can take quite a long time, and it’s important that you’ve read up on the available research materials. Remember that even if you’re a perfect driver on the road, it’s still possible to fail due to basic mistakes.

What Do I Need to Sit the Victorian Motorcycle Licence Test?

To sit the licence test, you need to be:

1. At least 18 years old.
2. A Victorian resident.
3. The holder of either a Victorian car learner permit or car licence—or have a VicRoads customer number.

Additionally, you need to not have any penalisations or restrictions that would stop you from riding a motorcycle. Previous issues on the road can stop you from being able to legally receive a motorcycle licence, so keep this in mind.

Preparing For Your Full Licence Test

Once you’ve received your Learner Permit, you need to spend a lot of time preparing for your full licence test. So, that means you have at least three months of driving to prepare, and so it’s important to find places in Melbourne to practice. Luckily, there are a lot of areas that are safer and less busy, such as Dandenong, Werribee, or even areas like Camberwell in the Eastern Suburbs, that can be a lot safer than the inner-city suburbs for new drivers.

Additionally, you’ll need to make sure that you have the right vehicle for the job. Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) bikes are lower power bikes that are legally approved for learners. Before you head out onto the open road, it’s good to check with the VicRoads LAMS list to make sure that your bike is up to the task.

Dressing the Part

As an L-plater, there are a few things you’ll need to make sure you have at all times when driving:

How Much Should I Ride When Preparing For My Licence Test?

You should aim for 1500km of riding in the period between your Learner’s and your Licence Test. Additionally, you should try to get as much experience in different areas as possible. Busier roads, winding roads, different conditions; the more you can prepare yourself for the realities of the Melbourne roads, the better your experience will be as a full licence holder.

Perfect the Check Ride

Before the full licence test, you’ll need to do a Check Ride—a half-day session to polish your skills. It’s not a pass/fail deal, just coaching to get you test-ready. You must do it at least one month before the MLA.

• What to Expect: A mix of on-range drills (slow riding, braking) and an on-road session with an instructor giving feedback.
• Prep Tips: Book this after a few months of riding—say, at the six-month mark—so you’ve got decent road time under your belt. Listen to the instructor’s tips; they’ll flag what to work on.

How Much Does the Ride Check Cost?

Cost is usually around $200–$300, depending on the provider. Bring your own LAMS bike if you’ve got one, or hire one of the ones available at the centre.

Smash the Motorcycle Licence Assessment (MLA)

The big day! The MLA is a 1.5-hour test split into two parts: an on-range skills test and an on-road assessment.

• On-Range: Tests your bike control—think slow riding, emergency stops, and weaving through cones. Practice these in a carpark or with a mate who rides.
• On-Road: An instructor follows you on public roads, checking your observation, lane positioning, and decision-making. They’ll throw in some tricky spots (roundabouts, traffic), so stay sharp.
• Gear Up: Full protective kit is a must—helmet, gloves, jacket, long pants, boots. No thongs or singlets here, mate.

Prep Tips:

• Study the Victorian Rider Handbook again—it’s gold for road rules and safety. (https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/motorcycle-licence-and-learner-permit/victorian-rider-handbook)
• Practice in varied conditions around Melbourne. Hit the West Gate Bridge for lane discipline or the Yarra Boulevard for curves.
• If you don’t have a bike, borrow one you’ve ridden before for consistency—test-day nerves plus a strange bike can trip you up.
• Book a private lesson with a provider like RideTek if you want extra polish.

Good Luck, New Riders

Getting your motorcycle licence in Melbourne isn’t a walk in the park. It takes a lot of planning, a lot of preparation, and quite a bit of courage for new riders who are nervous about the experience. However, the upside is you get to experience everything that a motorbike has to offer. From driving down the Great Ocean Road to travelling to and from work, the level of freedom offered by having your motorcycle licence can be truly life changing, and we wish you the best of luck in experiencing it.

Safe riding, legends!

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BLYGO is a proud provider of quality motorcycle parts and accessories in Dandenong, Melbourne. Whether you’re shopping for your first bike, upgrading your gear, or looking for top-quality motorcycle parts and accessories, head over to Blygo—Australia’s go-to source for everything motorcycle-related.