Motorcycle Licence New South Wales (NSW), Australia

Motorcycle licence New South Wales (NSW), Australia

Before riding a motorcycle in New South Wales (NSW) Australia, you will require a licence. To get this licence, you will need to go through the process of getting your learners permit, to the P1 and P2 licence, then to a full unrestricted motorcycle licence. NSW uses a Graduated Licensing System designed to help protect beginner riders with no experience, then easing restrictions the more experience you gain until you get a full unrestricted licence after 3 years.

To start the licensing process, you need to be at least 16 years and 9 months old. You do not need a drivers licence to apply for a motorcycle licence. The process is different depending on where you live. There are 2 types of areas, declared and undeclared. The motorcycle rider training scheme is only available in declared areas making it compulsory for these areas. Undeclared areas do not have access to this motorcycle rider training scheme meaning it is not a requirement, although you can still complete the training if you want to. The purpose of this is to make sure the motorcycle riders located in high traffic areas have more training. A full description of these areas is available below.

Declared and undeclared areas – find out which area you are in (VERY IMPORTANT)

Declared areas are locations where the motorcycle rider training scheme is available. Click here for a list of approved training centres, or call Roads and Maritime on 13 22 13 for more information. Undeclared areas are locations where the motorcycle rider training scheme is not available. Call Roads and Maritime on 13 22 13 if you are unsure about which area you are in.

Once you know what area you are in (declared or undeclared), you now know the steps that apply to you specifically to get your motorcycle licence. There are 5 steps for the declared areas and 4 steps for the undeclared areas – meaning it is easier and quicker for people who live in the undeclared areas because technically they don’t need as much training. It is recommended to complete all 5 steps if you can (undeclared areas), as the more training you have on your motorcycle will inevitably increase your skills and safety.

Listed below is the steps you will need to take to get your motorcycle licence including both areas to try and make it as clear as possible.

5 steps for getting your motorcycle license – Declared Area

Pre-learner course
Rider knowledge test – get your learner riding licence
Pre-provisional course including the practical riding test at the end (must hold learner rider licence for at least 3 months)
Hold your P1 rider licence for 12 months, apply for your provisional P2 rider licence
Hold your P2 rider licence for at least 2 years, apply for your full rider licence

4 steps for getting your motorcycle licence – Undeclared Area

Rider knowledge test – get your learner riding licence
Practical riding test (must hold learner licence for at least 3 months), can take the pre-provisional course before the test if you want/need the extra training
Hold your P1 rider licence for 12 months, apply for your provisional P2 rider licence
Hold your P2 rider licence for at least 2 years, apply for your full rider licence

Pre-learner course (Declared area)

If you live in an area where training is available (a declared area), completing the pre-learner course is mandatory. That being said, it is still recommended to do if you live in a undeclared area due to the extra experience gained.

The requirements are you need to be 16 years and 6 months old to attend a pre-learner course. You will need to wait until you are 16 years and 9 months old before you can apply for your learner rider permit. The certificate of competence you receive when you successfully complete the pre-learner course is valid for 3 months. When booking you will need a current NSW drivers licence, NSW photo card or Roads and Maritime Customer Number. If you done have one of these your will need to head to a service centre in person to apply for a Customer Number. You will need to provide full proof of identity to apply.

Booking the course

Find an accredited training course provider and make a booking directly through them. You can find a trading provider by clicking here. You will need to pay the course fee when you book, whether that’s online or over the phone so have a credit card handy. Let the provider know if you want to learn to ride a scooter as a motorcycle is the default vehicle.

What the course consists of

The pre-learner course is designed for people with no motorcycle riding experience. It’s held over 2 days, with 3.5 hours each day to aid with concentration. As its designed for new riders, motorcycles, helmets and gloves are provided at the training centre. The course will cost $96.

This is a competency based course with a pass/fail criteria. You will be permitted to continue riding only if you pass all of the competencies in order. The instructor may stop you from riding during the course if your putting yourself or other in danger due to your inexperience. If this happens, the instructor will advise you on the best way to proceed with your training.

Plan to arrive at the course at least 20 minutes prior to the start time. Any late participants will most likely not be able to proceed with the course. You will need to bring a drivers licence, photo card or Maritime Customer Number and proof of your identity.

Make sure to check with your training provider before the day on what you need to wear and any other requirements for training. The usual advice is long pants (jeans), long shirt/jumper and ankle high closed toe footwear if you don’t have any motorcycle gear.

When you successfully complete the pre-learner course, you will be provided with a certificate of competency that lasts 3 months. You will need to take this with you when you do your rider knowledge test (the next step in obtaining a motorcycle licence).

Rider knowledge test

The rider knowledge test is a computer based road rules knowledge test with 45 questions in total. The computer selects these questions at random from a databank of more than 600 questions. Click here to access the DKT question bank for motorcycle riders so you can prepare. This question bank includes all the questions you can be asked during the test. There are 3 answer options given for each question with the correct answer shown first and in bold text. This test will cost $47 each attempt so study hard. Click here for the motorcycle riders handbook for more information.

In the first part of the test you will be asked 15 general knowledge questions, at least 12 of them you need to get right. The second part of the test you will be asked 30 road safety questions including traffic signs, at least 29 of them you need to get correct.

If you get 4 questions wrong in the first section, or 2 wrong in the second section, the test will be automatically terminated. There’s no time limit for completing the test so take your time.

Click here for the free online practice knowledge test that you can take as many times as you like for preparation.

Pre-provisional course

If you live in an area where training is available (declared area) then you must complete the pre-provisional training course before you can sit the practical riding test. This course runs for 7 hours, including the practical riding test (next step) at the end of the course. This course is designed to prepare you for the practical riding test which will assess your motorcycle riding ability and skills at the end of the session. You will need to contact a training course provider directly and organise a booking. Click here for a list of rider training centres.

You will need to provide your own motorcycle. You may be able to hire a motorcycle from the training course provider, make sure you organise this at least 5 days before the booking takes place. You will need to pay when you make a booking so have a credit card handy. You must have a current NSW learner rider licence before you can book this course.

Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before the beginning of the scheduled start time. You may not be allowed to join the course if you are late and course fees are non-refundable in this situation. You will need to bring your current learner rider licence and your motorcycle. Make sure your motorcycle is registered and in roadworthy condition with a L plate displayed. You will not be allowed to partake in the course if these requirements are not met. Check with your specific training provider on what you will need to wear and any other requirements for the training.

Practical riding test

The practical riding test is designed to measure your ability and specific skills required to handle a motorcycle. This test will be taken at the end of your pre-provisional course if you’re in a declared area or can be taken at a registry or service centre if you’re in an undeclared area and don’t partake in a pre-provisional course. You need to be at least 17 years old to take this test, and must have held your learner rider licence for at least 3 months.

To book the test you must have a current NSW driving licence, NSW photo card or Customer Number. If you need a Customer Number attend a Service Centre or Registry to apply. Check with your booking centre what you will need to bring on the day.

You will need to provide your own registered and roadworthy motorcycle unless you have made arrangements with the training or booking centre to hire one. You will also need to wear an Australian standard AS1698 approved helmet. If there’s a suspicion that you have recently taken drugs or alcohol, the test will be cancelled and there will be no refund. If you try to bribe or influence the testing officer, the test will be cancelled and you will be reported to the police.

The practical riding test consists of 8 test segments. The testing officer will give you specific instructions at the beginning of each test segment. You will be tested on a 4 main segments:

Left turn and stop in a box
Cone weave and U-turn
Braking
Obstacle turn

For a more detailed description on these test segments click here

The test may be terminated by the testing officer if any of the following occurs:

You accumulate 9 or more points – test failed
You disregard instructions provided by the testing officer
You fail to understand the testing officers instructions
You perform an unsafe act at any point during the test
You display gross inability to ride a motorcycle at during any part of the test
You drop or fall from the motorcycle
You take excessive time to complete the test
You leave the test area

P1 rider licence

You must be 17 years old, have held your learner rider licence for at least 3 months and have completed the pre-provisional rider training course (declared area) and passed the practical riding test before you can apply for a provisional P1 rider licence.

To get your P1 rider licence you will need to attend a service centre in person and:

Complete a Licence Application Form
Provide your pre-provisional certificate of competence (declared area)
Have passed your practical riding test
Provide your learner rider licence as proof of your identity
Pass an eyesight test
Pay the licence fee – $59

Once you pay the required fee your photo will be taken. Your licence will then be posted to you. You will receive a temporary paper licence to use until your new licence arrives. Your P1 rider licence is valid for 18 months. You need to hold your P1 rider licence for 12 months before you can apply for your P2 licence (next step). If your 25 or over you may be exempt from needing a P2 licence and progress directly to your full rider licence.

Rules for P1 rider licence

In addition to complying tith the NSW road rules, you must:

Only ride a motorcycle approved for novice riders
Only ride motorcycles if your licence is R only. You need a class C or above licence to drive other vehicles
Have a red P plate on a white background displayed at all times. Must be clearly visible
Observe a maximum speed limit of 90km/h and observe posted speed limits when its below 90km/h
Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration. Its also illegal to ride under the influence of drugs
Not carry a pillion passenger
Not lane filter
Not use a mobile phone under any circumstances, even while stopped (must be parked)
Wear an approved motorcycle helmet

Failure to comply is an offence and carries heavy penalties, including loss of licence. Demerit points apply to P1 riders, your P1 licence will be suspended or refused if your reach or exceed 4 demerit points in a 3 year period. If you commit any speeding offences your P1 rider licence will be suspended for at least 3 months. An additional suspension or refusal period will apply to excessive speed offences (more than 30km/h over the speed limit)

If your disqualified from driving by a court while on your P1 rider licence, it will be permanately cancelled. Any time you have accumulated is forfeited and you will have to re-apply for the P1 riders licence and complete the 12 months again.

If your convicted of using false documents to gain access to a licensed premises or to purchase alcohol while holding a P1 licence, your will be required to complete an additional 6 months on top of the 12 month requirement.

P2 rider licence

To apply for your P2 rider licence you must have held your P1 rider licence for a period of 12 months without and period of suspension or cancellation. Most riders can apply for a P2 rider licence online as there are no course or test required. Make sure if you apply online you have the correct P plates to display at all times (green P on a white background). To apply in person your will need to attend a service centre to:

Complete a licence application form
Provide your P1 rider licence as proof of identity
Pass an eyesight test if required
Pay the licence fee $93

Once you pay the fee you will receive a temporary licence which you can use to ride until your new card arrives in the post. Your P2 rider licence is valid for 30 months. It can be renewed if required. If your over 25 you may be exempt from needing a P2 licence. to qualify for the exemption you must:

Be 25 or older when applying for a full licence
Hold a current Australian full drivers licence
Have completed at least 12 months on your P1 rider licence
Meet any other relevant licensing requirements

Rules for P2 rider licence

In addition to complying with the NSW road rules, you must:

Only ride a motorcycle approved for novice riders
Only ride motorcycles if your licence is R only. You need a class C or above licence to drive other vehicles
Have a red P plate on a white background displayed at all times. Must be clearly visible
Observe a maximum speed limit of 90km/h and observe posted speed limits when its below 90km/h
Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration. Its also illegal to ride under the influence of drugs
Not carry a pillion passenger
Not lane filter
Not use a mobile phone under any circumstances, even while stopped (must be parked)
Wear an approved motorcycle helmet

Failure to comply is an offence and carries heavy penalties, including loss of licence. Demerit points apply to P2 riders. Your P2 rider licence will be suspended or refused if you reach or exceed 7 demerit points in a 3 year period. All speeding offences will accrue at least 4 demerit points. You will be suspended or refused a licence for any excessive speed offence (more than 30km/h over the speed limit)

You must hold your P2 rider licence for at least 24 months before you can apply for your full rider licence.

Full rider licence

To apply for your full rider licence you must have held your provisional P2 rider licence for at least 2 years without any period of suspension or cancellation. If your 25 years or older, you may be exempt from the P2 licence stage (see P2 rider licence above for more information).

Most riders can apply for a full licence online as there are no courses or tests required.

To apply in person your will need to attend a service centre to:

Complete a licence application form
Provide your P2 rider licence as proof of identity (or P1 if your exempt from needing a P2 licence)
Pass an eyesight test if required
Pay the licence fee – 1 year $60, 3 years $138, 5 years $188, 10 years $348

If you are new to motorcycle riding here is a list of articles that you may be interested in reading :

If your moving to NSW from another state or from another country, you will need to obtain a NSW driver or rider licence equivalent to what type of licence you currently hold. NSW will match the expiry date of your current licence for no fee up to a maximum 10 year period. For more information on this complicated topic, click here to head to the Transport for NSW Roads and Maritime website section moving to NSW. Just like many other states in Australia, its getting harder to to get your motorcycle licence as time goes on. This is because of the Graduated Licensing System that NSW has implemented and many other states have/are implementing. The aim is to start with higher training components and harsher restrictions for beginner riders, these restrictions are eased as more experience is gained. NSW also has the declared and undeclared areas of the state that affect what training you need as an added precaution. Most of the information in this article is taken directly from the Transport for NSW website to ensure accuracy. If your confused about any of the steps or require more information head to www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/rider.

Motorcycle Licence New South Wales (NSW), Australia

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