VicRoads Anomalies & Phillip White’s latest Road-test
Webmaster number 2 (Guido) has been doing some research for the IIRA & I have re-produced the article here for Association Members & others. At this time I would like to thank Guy for his assistance with the website especially seeing in the next month I am unable to do the job. Gentleman you will be in good hands. Phillip Whites latest Road-test has been posted in full on the Tech Articles area about testing 105 cu Bomber from Kings Mountain, enjoy.
Hi Phil
Have been talking to you about the red plate user issue and made a couple of calls to VicRoads…here are some observations.
A few theories have been offered, including: Only the owner can ride it;
You have to be a red plate club member to ride it. I very much doubt either is true.
The problem with both is neither are founded on reliable info – for example a cop who pulls you up and grumbles is as unreliable as you can get in this area. They are far removed from the design of the system and the whole red plate scheme is just a minor blip on their much broader workday radar. Paul of the SR500 Club chased this at VicRoads recently and concluded: “The young lady at VicRoads definitely said that the rider just had to be licensed to use the vehicle, not the owner. She did not mention the bit about being a member.” Again, unreliable, but much closer to the mark. Universally accepted third party insurance rules say the vehicle (bike, car, boat, plane) has to be registered and the user hold the appropriate license.
The key part for red plates is the registration – a club permit is not in effect unless the rider (no matter who) is signed in to the logbook for that day. My own enquiries this afternoon tend to back that up.
So, if you and I share a bike for the day, we both need to be entered into the log book and have signed it. And have the appropriate license. If a cop pulled you up and tried to ticket you for not being the owner, or not having proof of club membership, I’m fairly confident it would fall over, so long as the logbook was in shape.
It’s worth noting that my advice here is not carved in stone, as the situation is still surrounded by confusion, so carrying any paperwork you have, including your club membership card, would nevertheless be wise.
Guy ‘Guido’ Allen