The state government is reintroducing the Safe Driver Discount for the first time since 2013.
Motorists who have incurred no demerit points or committed other road safety offences for three years prior to their renewal will be rewarded with a 25 per cent discount on their next licence removal, the government said.
As part of the launch of Motorcyclist Awareness Month, Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carrol said reintroducing the program was about encouraging better road safety.
“We’re rewarding riders and drivers who do the right thing on our roads with a big discount on their registration,” Mr Carroll said.
“This has been a tragic year on our roads and the Motorcyclist Awareness Month and Safe Driver Discount are just two of the many different approaches we’re taking to drive down road trauma.”
In a statement, the government said under the new discount, car, motorcycle and heavy vehicle licence holders of all ages, including those in Melton and Moorabool, will benefit from the 25 per cent discount.
“The Safe Driver Discount builds on other Labor government initiatives to reduce costs for motorists and promote road safety,” the government said.
“Aspiring L-platers are now saving up to $51.40 in licence and online testing fees. While learner drivers going for their P-plates will save up to $133.30 in licence and online hazard perception testing fees.
“The renewed focus on motorcyclist safety comes as 42 riders have tragically lost their lives already in 2022– an increase on the 30 lives lost at this time last year. More than half of these crashes involved another vehicle, re-enforcing the importance of sharing the roads.”
This will be the inaugural Motorcyclist Awareness Month, spearheaded by Victoria’s Motorcycling Community Engagement Panel (MCEP), and was developed in collaboration with the Transport Accident Commission, Department of Transport and Victoria Police.
It aims to remind motorists that road safety is a shared responsibility.
The government said the Safe Driver Discount will be automatically applied to eligible licence renewal notices issued from October 1. Customers who have a licence expiring from November 13 onwards will see the discount applied due to the six-week lead time for renewals being sent out.
