
On the 29 May 2009 the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment (Graduated Rider Licensing) Regulation 2009 and the Road Rules Amendment (Graduated Rider Licensing) Regulation 2009 commenced.
The object of the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment (Graduated Rider Licensing) Regulation is to make new riders of motorbikes and motor trikes subject to a graduated licence scheme similar to that which new drivers of cars are subject to, by introducing a two-stage provisional licence scheme. This scheme will require most riders to hold a provision licence for at least 3 years before being eligible to obtain an unrestricted licence.
In accordance with this scheme:
· a new rider applying for a motorcycle licence:
- will first be issued with a provisional P1 licence (as is currently the case);
- is subject to a number of conditions, including the condition that the holder not carry a passenger when riding. Failure to comply with this condition incurs 3 demerit points;
- after holding this provisional P1 licence for at least 12 months may graduate to a provisional P2 licence.
· a rider holding a provisional P2 licence:
- is subject to the conditions requiring the holder to display a “P” when riding and to only ride approved motorcycles, failure to comply with these conditions incurs 2 and 7 demerit points respectively;
- after holding the provisional P2 licence for at least 24 months may graduate to an unrestricted licence.
However, a rider may graduate directly to an unrestricted rider licence from provisional P1 licence if the rider:
- is 25 years of age or older, and
- has met the eligibility requirements to progress to a provisional P2 licence; and
- holds an unrestricted Australian driver licence.
The object of the Road Rules Amendment (Graduated Rider Licensing) Regulation is to make an amendment to rule 271-1 of the Road Rules 2008 (NSW). Rule 271-1 makes it an offence for a rider of a motorbike to carry a passenger unless the person has held a rider’s licence for at least 12 months. This rule has been amended so that it does not apply to riders who hold a provisional P1 licence as holders of these licences are already subject to this condition under clause 22 of the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2008.
Rule 271-1 will still however, apply in respect of riders who have been issued a licence in another State or Territory and who ride in NSW.



Good-bye my dream to own a 636 next year

