Laws for dirt bikes & trail bikes in Victoria & where to ride

Do you need a licence to ride a dirt bike?

In Victoria, the requirement for a licence to ride a dirt bike depends on where you intend to ride. Riding on public land, which includes public roads and state forests, requires the rider to hold a current motorcycle licence or learner permit.

A licence is not required if you’re riding exclusively on private land, such as your own property, however it’s important to note the rules around motorcycle registration in these circumstances (see below).

Participation in events such as motocross or enduro will require a special licence issued through Motorcycling Victoria, including for juniors aged under 18. This is separate from a road licence and covers non-competitive recreational events, including practice sessions, coaching and organised rides on private or public/crown land.

Do you need to register a dirt bike in Victoria?

Dirt bikes must be registered in Victoria if you intend to ride on public land, including state forests, public roads or designated trails. There are two main types of registration available:

• Standard motorcycle registration – this is necessary if you intend to ride on all public roads, including highways and urban areas. You must be at least 18 years old (minors can be registered in another person’s name, eg. a parent or guardian) and hold an appropriate licence or learner permit.
• Recreation motorcycle registration – this is a lower-cost option that allows you to ride a motorcycle in strictly defined areas without having full registration. You must be at least 18 years old and hold an appropriate learner permit or licence. There are also minimum requirements for the bike covering mirrors, brakes, lighting, exhaust noise and general safety items (see the VicRoads website for full details).
  

It’s also important to note that a recreation motorcycle must not be used to carry a load or a person other than the rider.

There’s a third type of registration in Victoria that applies to dirt bikes – farm motorcycle registration – which has different eligibility and conditions.

Dirt bikes do not need to be registered when riding on private property, however Transport Accident Commission (TAC) benefits are not payable to any person injured when riding an unregistered motorcycle (or any other unregistered motor vehicle) on private land.

More: Safe riding tips for motorcycle riders – beginner and experienced

Where can you ride a dirt bike in Victoria?

Under Victoria’s Road Management Act 2004, motorcycles with a recreation registration can only operate in the following areas:

• Roads that are not declared as freeways or arterial roads and are outside built-up areas (which are defined by speed zones of less than 100km/h).
• 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.

As well as not travelling on freeways or arterial roads, and steering clear of built-up areas, recreation bikes are also not permitted on roads previously designated as forest roads. These include: Benambra-Corryong Road, Boolarra Road, Combienbar Road, Jamieson-Licola Road, Loch Valley Road, Murrungower Road, Shelley-Walwa Road, Tatong-Tolmie Road, Timbarra Road and Tyers-Thompson Valley Road.

More: Road rules for motorcycle riders in Victoria

Rules for trail bikes in Victorian state forests

You can ride a dirt bike on all roads and tracks in Victoria that are designed for vehicles with four wheels – yes, four wheels. These include open fire trails, formed roads and seasonal 4WD tracks, but you cannot ride on single tracks, even if they look like established trails.

Riding in streams and along walking and cycling trails, including those for mountain bikes, are prohibited, as is going off-road into natural areas.

When riding in a state park and other public forested areas, it can be difficult to tell whether a track is legal. According to state government authorities, most single tracks have been unlawfully created through sensitive areas, which is why they’re off limits to dirt bike and trail bike riders. If you’re unsure, stick to roads and tracks clearly designed for 4WDs.

All road rules apply on forest roads and vehicle tracks. As well as meeting the licence and registration requirements already mentioned, you must:

• Wear a protective helmet of the type approved for normal road use.
• Always keep to the left of the track.
• Ride according to the track conditions.

Some 4WD tracks are seasonally closed during winter. You can check road and track closures on the Victorian Public Access Mapshare website. The More to Explore app is also a handy resource to help you find authorised dirt bike trails and routes, check for road and track closures, and download maps to use offline when you’re out of mobile phone range.

More: Six things to know before buying your first motorbike

Penalties for riding dirt bikes illegally

Victoria Police and authorised officers from Victoria’s Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria, and Forest Fire Management Victoria patrol key dirt bike riding locations across the state and can issue infringement notices wherever illegal activity is found.

Riding on a closed road on public land, such as in a state forest, or taking a vehicle off formed roads carry an on-the-spot fine of up to $988 and a maximum penalty of $3940 if prosecuted in court. Damaging wildlife habitat can also result in a fine of more than $8000.

In 2024, public land authorities recorded more than 300 breaches of gates or closed roads and more than 700 instances of illegal vehicle use across Victoria’s parks and forests. Authorised officers issued 140 infringement notices to people caught riding trail bikes (or driving cars) illegally off-road or in restricted areas.

Riding a motorcycle without a valid licence could incur a fine of up to $988, or up to $11,855 if you dispute the infringement in court and lose, while using an unregistered motorcycle carries a similar penalty. Riding without a helmet carries a fine of up to $395, or up to $1976 if unsuccessfully challenged in court.

Hotspots for dirt bike crashes and tips for staying safe

Victoria’s Conservation Regulator, which oversees all public land in the state, has identified several popular dirt biking areas as among the highest crash zones for motorbike riders in Victoria. Hotspots include:

• Wombat State Forest and Lerderderg State Park
• Mt Disappointment State Forest
• Woods Point Road and Marysville-Woods Point Road
• Bunyip State Park
• Neerim East
• Upper Goulburn State Forest

Authorities urge all motorcycle riders to put their safety, and the safety of others, first. As well as meeting legal requirements such as wearing an approved helmet and only riding on formed tracks, dirt bike and trail bike riders are asked to:

• Ride with others rather than going out onto dirt bike trails solo.
• Be mindful that track conditions can change unexpectedly and ride at a speed that allows you to stop safely.
• Keep your speed (and noise) down when in, or near, camping and picnic areas or residential areas close to adjoining state forests.
• Always slow down when approaching others in a forest, such as bushwalkers and mountain bikers.
• Wear full protective equipment; as well as an approved helmet, this includes boots, knee guards, body armour, gloves and goggles.
• Carry a first aid kit and water.
• Make sure you have a reliable means of communication from areas where there may not be mobile phone reception (eg. personal locator beacon).
• Leave details of your intended route with family and/or friends.

Also carefully plan your trip according to the skill and experience of all riders in your group and other factors such as the prevailing conditions.

Victoria has a trail bike classification system that uses five criteria to determine a track’s degree of difficulty – terrain and track conditions, motorcycle suitability, required equipment, required rider experience and weather conditions. Tracks range from easy (green circle) through to very difficult (double black diamond).

Always check the weather forecast before you go, download the VicEmergency app for emergency information, including severe weather alerts and warnings, and make sure your emergency roadside assistance plan for motorcycles is up to date.