Dreaming of hitting the open road on two wheels with the wind at your back? You’ll need a motorbike licence for that – and the steps to getting one vary, depending which state or territory you call home.
To cut through the noise, we’ve put together a handy guide to each state’s and territory’s requirements and the steps you’ll need to take – from getting your learner licence right through to your open licence. We’ve also covered what you’ll need to know when insuring your new motorbike.
But first…
Motorbike safety in Australia
Motorbikes account for only 4.5% of all registered vehicles on Australian roads.1 In Australia, 21.1% of the 1,310 people killed in road crashes between June 2023 to 2024 were motorcyclists.2
Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC) chairman Shaun Lennard argues that a national motorcycle safety strategy would help bring states and territories into greater alignment to hopefully improve road statistics for riders. “We would also encourage anyone who has had their motorcycle licence for more than a few years to book in for training to refresh their skills,” he says.
What type of motorbike is best for learners?
Before buying a big, powerful, expensive motorbike, new learner drivers might like to check the restrictions that apply to them. The nationally recognised Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) ensures learners and inexperienced riders only ride low-capacity motorcycles suitable for the early licensing stages. A motorcycle is only LAMS-list approved if it:3
- is a production motorcycle that has an internal combustion engine with a capacity of not more than 660 cubic centimetres (cc)
- has a power-to-weight ratio that does not exceed 150kW/tonne
- has not been modified.3
So, once you have the appropriate bike, how do you go about getting your learner rider licence to ride it?
How to get your motorbike licence – QLD
Queensland has a graduated licensing system, with two available motorcycle licence classes:4
- RE – restricted, must ride a LAMS motorcycle
- R – unrestricted, can ride any motorcycle unsupervised.4
In Queensland, you must hold a provisional or open car licence for at least 12 months before applying for your motorcycle licence.4
Learner licence (REL)
All new riders must then complete a two-day Q-Ride pre-learner course, facilitated by a Q-Ride training provider and covering basic riding knowledge and motorcycle handling skills in a controlled, off-road area.5 Prospective riders must also pass an online motorcycle knowledge test.4
Restricted licence (RE)
After three months with a learner licence, riders can apply for their restricted (RE) motorcycle licence. First, they must complete a one-day Q-Ride Restricted assessment and an online motorcycle hazard perception test.4
Riders who live further than a 100km radius from a Q-Ride training area can instead take a Q-SAFE practical riding test that will test their ability to ride safely in different road situations.5
Unrestricted licence (R)
For Queensland riders to obtain their unrestricted (R) licence, they must have held an RE provisional or open licence for at least two years, then successfully complete the Q-Ride unrestricted (R) course or pass a Q-SAFE riding test.6
How to get your motorbike licence – NSW
New riders don’t need to have a car driver’s licence to apply for a rider licence in New South Wales. Instead, the process is as follows:
Learner licence
Riders need to be at least 16 years and nine months of age and pass a rider knowledge test online or in person to get a learner licence.7
The next step is a pre-learner motorbike course at an approved rider training centre.7 This course is designed for people who have no motorcycle riding experience and is conducted in a controlled off-road area.8
Provisional P1 licence
For riders to progress to a P1 licence, they must be at least 17 and have held their learner licence for at least three months and then complete a full-day pre-provisional riding course that includes on-road and controlled off-road activities.8 A practical Motorcycle Operators Skills Test will then assess their riding ability including starting, accelerating, turning and braking.9
Provisional P2 licence
After 12 months on a P1 licence, riders can apply online or at a service centre for a provisional P2 rider licence. There are no tests or courses.7
Anyone aged 25 or older who holds a full Australian driver’s licence can apply for a full rider licence without completing the provisional P2 licence stage.7
Full licence
After riding on a P2 licence for at least two years, riders can apply for an unrestricted NSW licence online or at a service centre.7
How to get your motorbike licence – VIC
Victorian residents aged 18 or older can apply for a motorcycle learner permit.10
Learner permit
New riders must complete a two-day learner permit course with an accredited provider. This includes an eyesight test, a 32-question knowledge test, and an on-road and off-road assessment. On passing the course, riders are issued with a Victorian learner permit for 15 months.10
Motorcycle licence
Riders who’ve held a Victorian or interstate learner permit for three months can apply for a motorcycle licence. They need to:11
- complete a check ride and pass a riding skill assessment
- pass a Hazard Perception Test, unless they already have a driver’s licence11
On completion of these tasks, riders will hold a restricted licence for three years, during which time they can only ride a LAMS motorcycle.11
How to get your motorbike licence – SA
South Australia’s motorbike licensing system was recently upgraded, requiring riders to complete more extensive training as part of the state’s Rider Safe reforms. Below are the current requirements.12
Learner permit
All new riders must complete an online rider knowledge course and a hazard awareness test. Next is a two-day Motorbike Learner’s Course that teaches motorbike safety and skills on both a training range and on-road under supervision. On completion riders will obtain their learner’s permit.12
Motorcycle licence
After holding a learner licence for 12 months,13 riders must take a Pre-Licence Course which includes a classroom session, plus on-range and on-road riding. Following this course, riders can book in for their R-Date Motorbike Licence Assessment – a 75-minute on-road assessment.12
R Class licence
After holding your restricted R-Date licence for two years, riders can use motorbikes of any power to weight ratio. Riders don’t need to apply or do further testing to upgrade to their R class – the licence class will automatically update on the next licence renewal.13
How to get your motorbike licence – WA
WA riders can apply for a learner’s permit to ride a LAMS approved motorcycle from the age of 16.14 Here are the steps to take:
Learner permit
New riders must pass an eyesight test, as well as a computerised theory test of 35 questions about WA road rules to obtain their learner’s permit. Then, they’ll need to record at least 50 supervised riding hours in a Learner Logbook before they can take a practical driving assessment.14
Hazard Perception Test
This test can be taken after six months with a learner’s permit. It’s a computerised test that assesses a rider’s ability to assess road hazards and make safe driving decisions. Riders can sit the hazard perception test at any Department of Transport (DoT) Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent.14
Riders who live more than 100km from a DoT centre or agent with hazard perception test facilities may be granted an exemption from completing the test.14
Practical driving assessment
Riders who are at least 17 years old, have had a learner’s permit for at least six months and have completed at least 50 hours of supervised riding and the hazard perception test can book a practical driving assessment. On passing, they’ll be issued with a provisional licence.14
Riders hold a provisional licence for two years or until they're 19 years old – whichever period is longer – before automatically progressing to an unrestricted licence.14
How to get your motorbike licence – TAS
Tasmania uses a graduated licensing system. Here are the steps:
Learner licence
There are three mandatories to obtain a motorcycle learner’s licence in Tasmania. Riders must:15
- be at least 16 years and 6 months old
- pass a Road Rules Knowledge Test
- successfully complete a two-day Pre-Learner Course with Stay Upright – the provider of all motorcycle driving assessments and courses in Tasmania.15
Provisional P1 licence
To get a P1 licence, riders must complete a half-day Check Ride course designed to reinforce safe riding skills and behaviours.15
After holding a learner’s permit for a minimum of six months, riders can then apply to complete a Pre-Provisional Test.16 This assessment includes an on-range riding skill assessment and an on-road safe riding assessment.16 This test must be completed six months after receiving a learner’s licence, and at least 28 days after completing a Check Ride.17
Provisional P2 licence
Once a rider has held a P1 licence for 12 months, they move on to a P2 licence with no additional assessments. Anyone aged under 25 must hold a P2 licence for two years before progressing to an unrestricted licence. For over 25s, that’s reduced to one year.18
How to get your motorbike licence – ACT
To apply for an ACT motorcycle learner’s permit, new riders must be at least 16 years and nine months old.19 Here’s what to do:
Learner permit
Riders who don’t already have an ACT driver’s licence must complete a Pre-learner licence course and pass the ACT Road Rules test. All riders must then pass a government-approved rider training course.19
Provisional licence
Riders must be at least 17 years old and have held a learner licence for at least three months to be eligible for a provisional licence. They must then complete a pre-provisional rider course and pass a practical assessment.19
Unrestricted licence
Riders must hold a provisional licence for three years before automatically graduating to their unrestricted motorcycle licence.20
How to get your motorbike licence – NT
NT residents aged over 16 who are Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) customers can apply for a motorcycle learner’s licence.21 Here’s how:
Learner licence
All new riders must pass a motorcycle riders knowledge test and a practical assessment with an accredited provider.21 No motorcycle riding experience is needed to take part in the Pre-Learner riding course.22
Restricted rider licence
After holding a learner’s permit for six months, riders must complete a second practical riding assessment with an accredited provider. Passing this assessment qualifies riders for one of two licence classes:21
- Restricted rider licence – for those who already hold an open licence of another class, such as a car driver’s licence
- Provisional rider licence – for those who don’t hold a licence of another class. These riders must display P-plates.21
Both of these licences only permit riders to use LAMS motorcycles.21
Open licence
After completing the compulsory provisional rider licence period (two years for under 25s or one year for over 25s), or restricted rider licence period (one year), riders are eligible for an open NT rider licence.21
Insurance considerations for motorbike riders
Once you’ve chosen your bike and you’re ready to hit the road, you may be thinking about motorcycle insurance. Youi offers three types of motorcycle insurance – Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft and Third Party Property Only – available in all Australian states and territories, except the NT.
For first-time owners, it’s worth noting that your insurance costs may be higher.
“Your age and the number of years you’ve held a motorcycle licence will both be considered when it comes to setting your premiums,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product for Vehicle, Lifestyle and Leisure.
Jackson also notes that any valid Australian motorcycle licence is acceptable for Youi insurance purposes.
For motorcycle insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped, consider starting a quote with Youi today.
1 Source: Transurban – Motorcyclists on our roads: how to share the road safely, April 2024
2 Source: Australian Automobile Association – Vulnerable road users
3 Source: Transport for NSW – Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS)
4 Source: Qld Government – Queensland Motorcycle Riders’ Guide, March 2022
5 Source: Qld Government – Q-Ride and Q-SAFE courses, February 2024
6 Source: Qld Government – Getting an R motorcycle licence, March 2021
7 Source: NSW Government – Getting your rider licence
8 Source: NSW Government – Rider training centre locations
9 Source: NSW Government – The riding test
10 Source: Transport Victoria – Get your motorcycle Ls
11 Source: Vic Roads – The Victorian Rider Handbook 2023
12 Source: SA Government – Rider Safe reform, 2024
13 Source: SA Government – Applying for your motorbike licence, November 2024
14 Source: WA Department of Transport – Get a licence to ride a motorcycle, November 2024
15 Source: Tas Government Transport Services – Getting a motorcycle licence
16 Tas Government – Pre-Provisional Motorcycle Test
17 Stay Upright – Motorbike Licence Courses TAS
18 Tas Government – Apply for a provisional motorcycle licence
19 Source: Access Canberra – Motorcycle licences
20 Source: Stay Upright - Motorbike Licence Courses ACT
21 Source: NT Government – Get your motorcycle rider licence
22 Source: NT Government – Motorcycle Riders’ Handbook (Licensing)
