Learner rider licence

You 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 courses

The pre-learner course is held over two days (3.5 hours each day). Motorcycles, helmets, gloves and tuition are provided at the training centre.

The pre-learner course is designed for people with no motorcycle riding experience. 

However, learning to ride a motorcycle does require a high level of balance, co-ordination and concentration and not everyone has these skills.  If you can ride a bicycle and drive a manual car you probably have the necessary skills. If you can’t or if it is a long time since you did, you may require time to progress through the training.

The training is a competency based course that has a pass/fail criteria and you will only be permitted to continue riding if you have passed all of the competencies, in order.  For your safety and that of others, the instructor may stop you from riding during the course. If you are stopped from riding, the instructor will advise you of the best way to proceed with your training.

Note: If a scooter is required for training please nominate the type of motorcycle at the time of booking.

After the course

Once you have successfully completed the course, you will be issued with a pre-learner Certificate of Competence (green in colour). A Certificate of Competence is valid for three months from the date of issue.

To get a learner rider licence, go to your nearest motor registry and:

• Pay the licence fee.

You will then be issued with a learner rider licence, valid for 12 months.

Motorcycle learner riders must:

• Clearly dislay a black-on-yellow L plate at the rear of the motorcycle when riding. The letter L on the plate must not be hidden.
• Not ride faster 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.
• Not tow any trailer or vehicle.
• Not ride within the boundaries of Centennial Park, Sydney.
• Not carry passengers on a motorcycle.
• Not 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.
• Not use any functions of a mobile phone, including hands-free devices.
• Wear an approved motorcycle helmet properly fitted.

You must hold the learner licence for a minimum period of three months before you can attend the pre-provisional course - unless you qualify for a mature age exemption. Make sure you book into a pre-provisional course at least 4 to 6 weeks before your learner rider licence expires.  

Learner rider licences issued from 1 July 2007 will be valid for 12 months. If you have not passed the pre-provisional course within 12 months, your learner rider licence will expire and you will need to attend the pre-learner course again. Mature aged riders are exempt from the requirement to wait three months between courses. Learner rider licences issued before 1 July 2007 are valid for six months only and you will need to pass the pre-provisional course within this time to get your provisional rider licence.