Register a motorcycle

A motorcycle can be registered in the name of an individual or a corporation (company or incorporated association).

Individuals

To register your motorcycle, your age must be at least 18 years old.

If you are a minor, your motorcycle can be registered in someone else’s name (e.g. a parent, guardian or sibling) until you reach the minimum age.

To operate a motorcycle, you must be the holder of an appropriate motorcycle learner permit or licence. Learner and probationary riders are only allowed to ride motorcycles approved for novice riders under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). For more information view our Motorcycle licence and learner permit restrictions page.

Corporations

A company or incorporated association can have a motorcycle registered in its name.

Companies have an Australian Company Number (ACN) or an Australian Registered Business Number (ARBN). Incorporated associations will not have an ACN or ARBN but may be incorporated in a number of ways e.g. through an Act of Parliament or by Royal Charter. They may include organisations such as hospitals, municipal councils or trade unions.

Please note: Online appointments can only be booked in a personal name. Where the vehicle is to be registered in a company name, please ensure all paperwork reflect the company as the applicant.

Who cannot register a motorcycle

Motorcycles cannot be registered in a business name, trading name or the name of an unincorporated group. If the motorcycle is owned by an unincorporated body, multiple people or an emergency response organisation (e.g. SES, CFA or municipality vehicles), an individual may be nominated as the registered operator.

Recreation registration allows you to ride a motorcycle in defined areas without having full registration.

Eligibility

To register your motorcycle as recreational, you must be at least 18 years old.

Only two (2) wheeled motorcycles are eligible for registration as recreation motorcycles. Three (3) and four (4) wheel vehicles are not eligible for this type of registration.

To operate a recreational motorcycle, you must be the holder of an appropriate motorcycle learner permit or licence. Learner and probationary riders are only allowed to ride motorcycles approved for novice riders under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). For more information view our Motorcycle licence and learner permit restrictions page.

Minimum construction requirements

All recreation motorcycles must have:

• a rear vision mirror fitted to the right hand side
• brakes fitted to both wheels, capable of working independently if one brake fails
• one head lamp
• one rear red tail lamp
• one rear red brake lamp
• one rear white number plate lamp
• a silencing device which restricts the noise level to 94 dBA or less
• an appropriate horn or warning device wired into the motorcycle's electrical system
• a chain guard that protects the rider from the front chain sprocket.

Important

• All lighting used must be of a type intended for use on motorcycles.
• A 'total loss system' * power source for the lighting is not acceptable.
• If a battery is fitted to the motorcycle, an integrated charging system, such as an alternator, is required.
• Magneto driving lights are acceptable if a battery is not fitted.

* A 'Total loss' system is one where the lights are powered in such a way that continuous power to the lights is not possible. For example, lights powered by batteries are not continuously rechargeable and can therefore run down. This is a safety measure to ensure that lighting is available to the rider when it is required.

Conditions

There are a number of conditions applying to operating a recreation vehicle. They are:

• recreation motorcycles are only permitted to be operated on roads (except declared freeways and arterial roads, including roads formerly designated as forest roads, under the Road Management Act 2004) that are:
  • located outside "built up areas" as defined by speed zones of less than 100 km/h, or
  • those areas that are not a road and are solely for the training and assessment of a holder of a motorcycle learner permit by an organisation approved by VicRoads for that purpose
• the vehicle must not carry any load or a person other than the rider
• the rider must wear a protective helmet of the type approved under the Road Rules Victoria.

For more information on eligibility requirements and defined areas view our Recreation motorcycle registration [PDF 408 kb] information sheet.

Primary producers can conditionally register non-Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliant motorcycles for use on Victorian roads between farm properties for primary production activities.

Agricultural motorcycle (farm bike) registration allows you to ride a farm bike on parts of the Victorian road network within a 25 kilometre radius of a farm property without having full registration.

Eligibility

To register your motorcycle as a farm bike, you must be at least 18 years old.

Only two-wheeled motorcycles that do not meet the ADR for general road use can be conditionally registered as farm bikes and will be issued farm bike identifying number plates. ADR compliant motorcycles are not eligible for farm bike registration and will continue to be fully registered with general issue motorcycle number plates.

To operate a farm bike, you must be the holder of an appropriate motorcycle learner permit or licence.  Learner and probationary riders are only allowed to ride motorcycles approved for novice riders under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). For more information view our Motorcycle licence and learner permit restrictions page.

Minimum construction requirements

All farm bikes must have general construction that does not compromise the safety of its operator or any other person. In addition they must have:

• a rear vision mirror fitted to the right hand side
• brakes fitted to both wheels, capable of working independently if one brake fails
• one head lamp
• one rear red tail lamp
• one rear red brake lamp
• one rear white number plate lamp
• a silencing device which restricts the noise level to 94 dBA or less
• an appropriate horn or warning device wired into the motorcycle's electrical system
• a chain guard that protects the rider from the front chain sprocket.

Important

• All lighting used must be of a type intended for use on motorcycles.
• A 'total loss system'* power source for the lighting is not acceptable.
• If a battery is fitted to the motorcycle, an integrated charging system, such as an alternator, is required.
• Magneto driven lights are acceptable if a battery is not fitted.

* A 'total loss' system is one where the lights are powered in such a way that continuous power to the lights is not possible. For example, lights powered by batteries are not continuously rechargeable and can therefore run down. This is a safety measure to ensure that lighting is available to the rider when it is required.

Conditions that apply to farm bikes

There are a number of conditions applying to operating a farm bike. They are:

• farm bikes are to be registered in the name of a primary producer and used solely for the purpose of primary production
• farm bikes are only permitted to be operated on roads within a 25km radius of the nominated farm property that are:
  • located outside "built up areas" (built up areas are defined as zones where buildings or street lights are less than 100 metres apart),
  • not declared a freeway under the Road Management Act 2004,
• when operating on the Victorian road network:
  • the farm bike must not carry a person other than the rider
  • the rider must wear a protective helmet of the type approved under the Road Rules Victoria
  • farm bikes can only carry a load if the manufacturer’s specifications say it is safe to do so
  • the operator of a farm bike must carry a copy of the certificate of approved operations (operating conditions) issued at the time of registration
• applications to travel beyond the prescribed 25km radius will be considered on a case by case basis.

If you are registering a standard motorcycle you will need to get a Certificate of Roadworthiness for your motorcycle to bring along to your appointment.  You can get a Certificate of Roadworthiness from a Roadworthy tester location.

You will not need a Certificate of Roadworthiness if your vehicle is brand new (other than a taxi) 

A brand new vehicle is a vehicle that has never previously been registered in Victoria or in another jurisdiction and any kilometres on the speedometer are incurred in the delivery and sale of the vehicle to the owner prior to initial registration.

Farm and recreational motorcycles do not need a Certification of Roadworthiness. However, if you're converting a recreational motorcycle to a standard motorcycle registration, a Certificate of Roadworthiness is required.

Before you contact us to make an appointment, make sure you have each of the following ready:

• the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number
• engine number of your vehicle
• the make, model and registration number of your vehicle (if previously registered)
• your current licence number.

You will need to pay an appointment and inspection fee when booking your appointment.

Make an appointment by:

• book online
• calling us on 13 11 71 (VISA or MasterCard only*), or
• visiting a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (pay by VISA, MasterCard*, cheque, EFTPOS or cash)

* A card payment fee applies

If you are applying for recreational motorcycle registration your motorcycle will need to be inspected during the appointment, unless it has current standard motorcycle registration in your name and the vehicle details have not changed.

If you are applying for standard motorcycle registration, your motorcycle will need to be inspected during the appointment, unless it was last registered in your name and the vehicle details have not changed.

If you are converting your recreational motorcycle to standard motorcycle registration an inspection is required.

There are no concessions available for appointments.

Changing or cancelling your appointment

If you need to change your appointment, you will have to pay another appointment fee. The appointment can only be changed by the appointment holder.

If you change or cancel your appointment more than 24 hours in before to the appointment time, the inspection fee can be transferred to a new time or refunded.

Change your appointment online.

You will need to bring along the following to your appointment:

• the motorcycle (if an inspection is required)
• If you are transporting your vehicle for inspection by a trailer or a utility truck, you may have to move your vehicle to ground level for inspection purposes. You'll need to ensure you have the means and are able to do this on the inspection day.
• a completed vehicle registration form [PDF 209 Kb]
• your evidence of identity
• a current and original Certificate of Roadworthiness (not required for farm and recreational motorcycles)
• evidence of the Victorian garaged address. You will need to provide one of the following as evidence.
  • A Victorian residential or business address. If the postal address differs from the residential or business address, evidence of that must also be provided.
  • An interstate or overseas residential or business address plus secondary evidence of identity that provides documentary evidence linking the vehicle operator to the Victorian garaged address (eg. rate notice, utility bill etc.)
  • An RMB (Road side mailbox) or RSD (Road side delivery) if the residence or business cannot be identified by a street/road name or other means.
• if someone else is attending the appointment on your behalf, they will need to provide an original and signed Authority to Act as an Agent form
• if registering a farm motorcycle, Primary Producer Concession application must be provided
• appropriate tools to either remove or affix your number plate ensuring it is fitted to your motorcycle before leaving VicRoads if it is being ridden. Screws are not supplied with new plates.

Modified or written-off

If your motorcycle has been modified or previously written-off, you may also need additional documentation to register your vehicle.Check requirements for your Vehicle modifications & defects.

Bring the motorcycle and documentation/items to your appointment, including your evidence of your identity and a vehicle registration form [PDF 209 Kb].

Vehicles transported by a trailer or utility truck

If you have transported your vehicle for inspection by a trailer or a utility truck, you may have to move your vehicle to ground level for inspection purposes. You'll need to ensure you have the means and are able to do this at your inspection.

Fees

You will need to pay a fee to register your motorcycle (pay by VISA, MasterCard*, cheque, EFTPOS or cash)

* A card payment fee (External link) applies

The fees that are applicable are:

• standard registration charge for motorcycles
• standard number plate fee for motorcycles (a different rate applied for recreational motorcycles)
• Transport Accident Commission charge (a different rate applies for primary producer farm motorcycles)
• motor vehicle duty fee.

No concessions apply for recreational registration.

Number plate

Only one number plate will be issued for a motorcycle. It must be attached to the rear of the motorcycle and be clearly visible before the motorcycle can be ridden on a road.

Using your previous number plates

Custom plates

If you own custom plates you can place them on a vehicle registered in your name by notifying us at the appointment. A plate assignment fee will be charged if the custom plates have been on another vehicle before.

General issue plates

If you want to re-use the general issue plates on the same vehicle (upon re-registration), you will need to pay a fee to purchase the rights to the plate. (Note: The plate combination can only be purchased if it is not owned by another person/company).