STATE REGULATIONS
Regulations for obtaining and maintaining a motorcycle leaner licence vary significantly between states.
Click on your state for more information
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Riders must be at least 16 years and 9 months old before you are issued with a learner rider licence. However, you may book into and attend a pre-learner course at the age of 16 years and 6 months. You do not have to hold a driver licence to get a motorcycle licence.
Pre-learner course are held over two days (3.5 hours each day). Motorcycles, helmets, gloves and tuition are provided at the training centre. The course is designed for people with no motorcycle riding experience.
To get a learner rider licence, go to your nearest motor registry office and:
- Take your Pre-learner Certificate of Competence.
- Provide Proof of Identity documents. Complete an application form.
- Pass both an eyesight test and rider knowledge test.
- A fee is applicable and a booking may be required (bookings for a knowledge test can now be made from the myTests section of the website or by phoning the RTA on 13 22 13).
- Pay the licence fee.
Consequently, you will then be issued with a learner rider licence, valid for 12 months.
Motorcycle learner riders must:
- Clearly display a black-on-yellow L plate at the rear of the motorcycle when riding. The letter L on the plate must not be hidden.
- Ride slower than 80km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is below 80km/h.
- Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (this means you cannot drink before riding). It is also illegal to ride under the influence of drugs.
- Avoid carrying passengers on a motorcycle. They cannot ride motorcycles with an engine capacity over 660ml and a power-to-weight ratio over 150kw/tonne and has not been approved by the RTA and shown on the Approved motorcycles for novice riders list Wear an approved motorcycle helmet that has been properly fitted.
- Hold the learner licence for a minimum period of three months before you can attend the pre-provisional course.
All about Scooter Licensing in NSW : Click here!
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Motorcycle learner permit allows you to learn to ride on the road under certain restrictions and conditions. The permit is valid for 15 months or until you obtain a motorcycle licence. If you do not obtain a motorcycle licence before your learner permit expires, you will need to be retested to have another learner permit issued.
You must be at least 18 years of age and a Victorian resident to apply for a motorcycle learner permit.
To obtain a motorcycle learner permit you will need to pass the following tests:
- Eyesight test.
- A motorcycle knowledge test.
- Learner permit road law knowledge test (not required if you already have a car learner permit).
- Motorcycle learner permit skill assessment (a practical ride).
You must hold a learner permit continuously for at least three months in the period immediately prior to applying for a motorcycle licence. Or undertake a motorcycle training course in which case the mandatory 3-month requirement can be waived. Evidence can additionally be provided that you have previously held a motorcycle licence in Victoria, interstate or overseas. Motorcycle learner permit tests are conducted by VicRoads accredited providers. These providers also offer training courses to prepare you for these tests.
Motorcycle learner riders must:
- Wear an approved helmet while riding display an L plate on the back of your motorcycle, visible from a distance of 20 metres.
- Carry your learner permit at all times while riding the motorcycle.
- Only ride a learner approved motorcycle for 12 months from date of issue. LAMS gives novice riders access to a range of motorcycles and scooters that are appropriate to their level of experience and size. The LAMS list includes moderately powered models with an engine capacity up to and including 660cc which do not exceed a power-to-weight ratio of 150 kilowatts per tonne.
- Not carry a pillion passenger.
- Have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration while riding.
All About Scooter Licensing in Victoria: Click here!
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The first step you need to take before learning to ride a motorbike (class RE) is to obtain a learner licence for that class of vehicle. To get a learner licence for a motorcycle, you have to hold your provisional, probationary or open car licence for at least one year before you can apply. This makes sure you have on-road driving experience before you ride solo.
To apply for a motorbike learner licence you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have to hold your provisional, probationary or open car licence for at least one year before you can apply. This makes sure you have on-road driving experience before you ride solo.
- Complete the Driver Licence Application/Renewal form F3000 show suitable evidence of identity and Queensland residency documents.
- Pass an eyesight test, if required declare that you are medically fit to learn to drive the class of motor vehicle. Note: If you have a medical condition that might affect your ability to drive or ride safely. You will be required to give a medical certificate from your doctor stating that you are medically fit to drive or ride safely.
- Pay the written road rules test fee and pass the test pay the required learner licence fee. Note: Payment is only required if renewing at the same time otherwise a label will be placed on the back of your licence.
Motorcycle learner riders must:
- Clearly display an L plate on the rear of the motorbike that you are learning to ride.
- Keep your learner licence with you at all times when you are learning to ride and show it to a police officer when asked to do so.
- Obey any conditions stated on your learner licence.
- Learn to ride only on a learner approved motorbike (LAM).
- Comply with the no alcohol limit (0.00) if you are under 25 years and the general alcohol limit (below 0.05) if you are 25 years or over.
- Not drive under the influence of drugs.
- Only be supervised by a person who holds, and has held, an open licence for the class of motorbike you are learning to ride, for at least one year.
- Avoid carrying your supervisor as a pillion passenger on the motorbike. You may only carry a suitably licensed supervisor seated in the sidecar attached to the motorbike.
All About QLD Scooter License: Click Here!
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You must be at least 16 years and 9 months old before you are issued with a learner rider licence.
Undertake a government approved rider training course; and if you DO NOT already hold a Driver Licence. You must also successfully complete a Road Ready Learner Licence Course, including a computerised knowledge test on the ACT Road Rules.
Once you have successfully completed the Road Ready course and knowledge test you MUST be issued a Learner Car Licence (unless you hold a current Driver Licence) before booking for the Learner Rider course.
When you go to a Canberra Connect Shopfront or the Motor Vehicle Registry to get your Learner Car Licence, you must:
- Successfully complete an eye test;
- Provide the passed ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test certificate (unless you hold a current Driver Licence); and
- Proof of identity, residency and age.
Once you have successfully completed the Rider Training course you must then attend a Canberra Connect shopfront to have your Driver Licence endorsed with the Learner Rider class. You must bring:
- ACT photographic Driver Licence; and
- Provide the passed Motorcycle Rider Training course certificate; a fee may be charged for this transaction.
Motorcycle learner riders must:
- Display “L” plates at the rear of the motorcycle;
- Avoid carrying a pillion passenger;
- Not ride a motorcycle with a power to weight ratio exceeding 150 kw/tonne;
- Have a blood alcohol content not exceeding .02%;
- Not tow a trailer; and not exceed posted speed limits.
Learner Motorcycle Licences are valid for two years. You must be at least 17 years old and have held a Learner Licence for at least three months before you can obtain a Provisional Licence.
All about ACT Motor Scooter Licensing: Click here!
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If you are planning to learn to ride a motorcycle, you will need to attend RiderSafe training courses. You will also need to ride a learner approved motorcycle.
To enrol in a RiderSafe basic training course you must have a current driver’s licence. If you do not have a current driver’s licence, you must first pass a theory test. Bookings can be made for the RiderSafe course, where you pay the course fee at any Service SA customer service centre.
After successfully completing the RiderSafe basic course, present the endorsed form at any Service SA customer service centre to apply for a learner’s permit. The permit is valid for two years and you must always carry it whilst riding.
You must complete the RiderSafe advanced training course within two years. It is recommended that you have your learner’s permit for a minimum of six months before you undertake the advanced training course. Bookings can be made for the RiderSafe advanced course, and you pay the course fee at any Service SA customer service centre.
After successful completing the RiderSafe advanced course:
Present your certificate of competency at any Service SA customer service centre to apply for a R-Date licence. If you hold a driver’s licence, the R-date motorcycle class will be added to it.
Should you not hold a licence, but you have held a learner’s permit for a period totalling at least six calendar months and you are at least 16 years and six months of age, you can apply for a provisional licence. Riders must have a South Australian driver’s licence endorsed with a motorbike class to ride a motorbike. This licence is restricted to riding a learner approved motorcycle.
After riding on a restricted R-Date licence for 12 months, you may apply for an unrestricted R-class licence. This licence enables you to ride a motorcycle of any power to weight ratio.
All about Motor Scooter Licensing in South Australia: Click here!
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You may apply for an R-N (moped) learner’s permit at the age of 15 years and 6 months, or an R-E learner’s permit at 16 years of age.
If you already hold any class of WA driver’s licence (other than a learner’s permit), this automatically covers you to ride a moped.
You can apply for an R class learner’s permit once you hold a full R-E class licence (not provisional). However, you cannot sit the practical test for the R class until you have held your full R-E licence for at least one year.
Once you have your learner’s permit, you can have riding lessons with:
- A licensed riding instructor who holds the same or higher class of motorcycle licence for which you are applying; or
- Any person who holds a current driver’s licence and has held for at least four years the class of driver’s licence (or higher) that you are applying for; or in the case of a moped, a person who has held an R-N, R or C class for at least two years.
Your tutor must always accompany you either as a pillion passenger, in a sidecar or on another motorcycle. If you are applying for an R-E class, you must always ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity that does not exceed 650cc LAMs approved.
You will need to sit the motorcycle theory test if you are applying for an R-E class. This test is not required for the R-N or R class. The test consists of 15 multiple-choice questions on road rules that relate to motorcycles. You must get 12 or more correct to pass. Riders can prepare for this test by reading the relevant sections of the Drive Safe book. You can download the book in pdf or audio format or get a copy from any Licensing centre and agent.
Riders may also be required to sit the road rules theory test. This is a test of 30 multiple choice questions on the road rules and safe driving practices. In the test you will need to get 24 or more correct to pass. You will be required to sit this test only if you are applying for an R-N (moped) or R-E learner’s permit and these are the first licence classes that you have applied for.
All about Motor Scooter Licensing in Western Australia: Click here!
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Motorcycle learner licences are valid for 12 months and must be held for a continuous period of at least 6 months before applying for a motorcycle provisional licence. Learner licences will be issued or reissued on the successful completion of the pre-learner motorcycle training course and passing the motorcycle driver knowledge test.
To learn to ride a motorcycle you must be at least:
- Sixteen years and 5 months to attend the pre-learner motorcycle training course
- 16 years and 5 months to sit the motorcycle driver knowledge test
- Sixteen years and 6 months to hold a motorcycle learner licence
To obtain a motorcycle learner permit you are required to successfully complete the pre-learner motorcycle training course prior to obtaining a learner licence unless living on King, Flinders or Cape Barren Islands.
And undertake a knowledge test (35 multiple choice questions)
Motorcycle learner riders must obey the following requirements:
- “L” plate displayed and clearly visible on the back of the motorcycle
- No pillion passenger can be carried unless the learner is under instruction and the instructor has held a licence to drive a motorcycle for at least 3 years
- Under no circumstance have alcohol present in the body while driving
- Must not exceed 80 km/h per hour
- Restricted to Learners Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) motorcycles.
All about Motor Scooter Licensing in Tasmania. Click here!
LA Category Information
LA Category is a special vehicle classification for scooters under 50cc, provided under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.
They pass different requirements for brakes, lights, speedometer, and noise. They are restricted to 50 km/h in ALL states and are NOT tested for safe operation at higher speeds.
QLD, SA, NT & WA:
Holders of a car licence may ride LA Category scooters with no additional 2-wheel training or special driving licensing requirements.
ACT, NSW, TAS & VIC:
LA Category scooters can only be ridden after conducting training and passing the appropriate motorcycle test.
Please see your dealer for more information.
It is a federal offence for a motorcycle dealer to sell an LA category scooter for road use in a derestricted form.
Under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, the owner may be fined up to $13,700 per vehicle.