The rules outlined below are an overview, please refer to the rule references for more details.
A rider of a motorcycle must obey the same road laws that apply to drivers.
Riders and their passengers must wear helmets approved to Australian Standard AS1698 or AS/NZS1698, and these must be securely fitted and fastened on their heads. The helmets must have a mark indicating AS1698 or AS/NZS1698 approval.
In Victoria you may legally park your motorcycle on the footpath (unless otherwise signed) as long as you do not obstruct pedestrians, delivery vehicles, public transport users or parked cars.
You must drive with your vehicle completely within a lane. Riding between lines of moving vehicles is illegal and dangerous.
Motorcycles are permitted in transit lanes but you must not ride your motorcycle in tram lanes, bus lanes, bicycle lanes or other lanes designated for special vehicles, except as permitted under the rules, for example for the permitted distance when entering or leaving the road.
Riders must not ride with:
- more than one pillion passenger.
- more passengers in a sidecar than the sidecar is designed to carry.
- an animal between the rider and the handlebars (working farmers exempt for 500 metres on a road).
- a child under 8 years old unless the passenger is in a sidecar.
Pillion passengers must sit astride the motorcycle and behind the rider, face forward and keep both feet on footpegs provided for them.
Riders must not ride more than two abreast. If riding two abreast, riders must not ride more than 1.5 metres from the other rider.
A miniature motorcycle must not be used on public roads, footpaths or nature strips because they do not meet registration standards. Whilst a miniature motorcycle can’t be registered, any person who rides it on a public road without a valid motorcycle licence is committing two offences – driving an unregistered vehicle and driving without a licence.
Miniature motorcycles can be used on private property but there are serious concerns about the safety of many of the models being sold. Consumer Affairs Victoria banned the sale of miniature motorcycles that do not meet safety standards. For information visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website and search for ‘Monkey Bikes’.
Road Safety Road Rules 2009
- 146 Driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic
- 151 Riding a motor bike or bicycle alongside more than 1 other rider
- 156 Transit lanes
- 197 Stopping on a path, dividing strip or nature strip
- 270 Wearing motor bike helmets
- 271 Riding on motor bikes and motor cycles
To look up these rules and check for other related rules, please refer to the Acts and Regulations administered by VicRoads.