Before riding a motorcycle in South Australia (SA), you will require a licence. To get this licence, you will need to go through the process of getting a learners permit, to R-date licence, to R-class licence (optional). SA uses a Graduated Licensing System designed to help protect beginner riders with no or little experience, then easing restrictions the more experience you gain until you have no restrictions on your licence.

To start the licensing process you need to be at least 16 years of age and have a current drivers or learners licence. If you don’t, you will need to pass a road theory test (as you would do for your drivers learner permit). Listed below are the steps needed to gain you motorcycle licence in South Australia.

5 Steps to getting a motorcycle licence in South Australia (SA)

1. Basic training course

The basic rider safe course is a pre-learners permit training course that teaches you the basic and advanced skills needed to ride a motorcycle safely on the roads. To take part in this basic rider training, you must have a current drivers licence or drivers learner permit. If not you will need to complete a road safety test (as you do with your car learners permit).

To enrol in the basic rider safety course you need to pay the $385 course fee by calling Service SA on 13 10 84 or visit any service SA customer service centre. Once payment has been made, call 1800 018 300 with your payment receipt number to make a booking.

Training is available at:

• St Agnes
• Murray Bridge
• Millicent
• Barmera
• Port Pirie
• Wyalla

You cannot use your own motorcycle in the basic course unless there are exceptional circumstances. A motorcycle and helmet are provided. If you prefer you can wear your own safety approved helmet. You must bring the following items or you will be unable to participate on the day:

• Clothing – long sleeve top, full length pants, full enclosed shoes
• Signature identification such as student ID card, credit card, drivers licence or passport
• Course payment receipt

The Ridersafe basic training course consists of 2 half day sessions. You will learn basic motorcycle operating and manoeuvring skills in a safe off-road environment.

Day 1

The first day of training will cover basic motorcycle control skills such as:

• Riding a straight line
• Braking
• Cornering
• Gear shifting
• Bike control theory

Day 2

The second day of training will involve interacting with other motorcycles on the riding course, covering more advanced motorcycle control theory and traffic skills. At the end of the day a practical skills assessment will be conducted. If you fail the courses, you are allowed 2 additional attempts at no extra charge. If you fail these additional attempts, you will need to do the basic course again. After successfully completing the course, you will receive and Approval to Obtain a Learners Permit form that you must present to a Service SA customer service centre within 12 months or it will expire meaning you will have to re-do the basic course again.

2. Learners permit

Now that you have completed your Ridersafe basic training course (step 1), you will need to present your Approval to obtain a learners permit form to any Service SA customer service centre within 12 months to obtain your learners permit. This learners permit is valid for 2 years and you must carry it at all times while riding. A learners permit will cost $67.

Learner permit conditions and rules

• Must only ride a learner approved motorcycle (LAMS), click here for a list of LAMS motorcycles
• Have a blood alcohol concentration of zero and not consume any drugs
• Must display L plates that are clearly visible
• Must not exceed the speed limit by more than 10km/h
• Must not ride over 100km/h
• Must not incur 4 or more demerit points
• No pillion passengers unless they are qualified supervising drivers
• Learner riders who don’t hold a drivers licence must hold a learners permit for at least 12 months (6 months if your 25 years old or over)
• Must not use a mobile phone under any circumstances
• Holders of a learners permit for R date, who are under 25 years of age and who do not hold a P2 or full licence for another class must not ride a motorcycle between the hours of midnight and 5am

You must hold your learner permit for at least 12 months if you are under 17 years old, and 6 months if you are over 25 years old before you can apply for your R-date licence. You must complete the RiderSafe advanced training course within 2 years of having your learner permit or it will expire. If this happens you will need to re-do the RiderSafe basic training course and then re-apply for your learners permit again.

3. Advanced training

It is recommended you hold your learners permit for a minimum of 6 months before you book and partake in the RiderSafe advanced training course. The advanced training course consists of one half-day training session with a practical assessment at the end. You will learn advanced bike control skills with an emphasis on road riding skills and traction theory.

To enrol in the advanced RiderSafety training course you need to pay the $342 course fee by calling Service SA on 13 10 84 or visit any service SA customer service centre. Once payment has been made, call 1800 018 300 with your payment receipt number to make a booking.

Training is available at:

• St Agnes
• Murray Bridge
• Millicent
• Barmera
• Port Pirie
• Wyalla

On successful completion of the advanced course, you must present your Certificate of Competency at any Customer Service centre to receive your R-Date Licence. You must hold your learner permit for at least 12 months if you are under 17 years old, and 6 months if you are over 25 years old before you can apply for your R-date licence regardless of when you completed your advanced training course.

4. R-date licence

To get your R-date licence there are a few requirements you must meet. These are:

• You must be minimum 17 years of age
• You must have completed the Advanced RiderSafety training course and been given a Certificate of Competency
• If you do not already hold a drivers licence you must have held your learners permit for at least 12 months (6 months if over 25) and have passed the hazard perception test

If you meet these requirements, you will need to present your certificate of competency at and Service SA customer service centre to apply for a R-date licence. R-date class means that you are restricted to riding a learner approved motorcycle (LAMS). Click here to see a list of LAMS motorcycles. Once you receive a South Australian riders licence endorsed with the R-date class, you can then ride your LAMS approved motorcycle without L plates.

If you don’t already hold a full licence for another class such as car or truck, you will be subject to the provisional licence conditions and rules. If you do hold a full drivers licence for another class, you don’t have to display P plates on your motorcycle and are not subject to the provisional licence conditions and rules. Click here for a full list of provisional licence rules and restrictions.

5. R-class licence

After riding on a restricted R-date licence for 12 months, you may commence riding unrestricted R class motorcycles and motor trikes. You do not need to upgrade to an R-class licence, once your R-date 12 months period is up, you can ride a motorcycle of motor trike of any power to weight ratio.

If you are the holder of an R-Date provisional licence (meaning you don’t have a full licence in another class), you can still ride any motorcycle or motor trike after the 12 month period, but you still remain on the provisional licence conditions until you are granted a full drivers licence. Click here for a full list of these provisional licence conditions.

Just like many other states in Australia it is getting harder to get a motorcycle licence due to the Graduated Licence System that most states are implementing. The aim of this is to increase motorcycle safety from beginners to more experienced riders by starting with tougher restrictions and easing them as you go through the steps. Most of this information has been taken from the South Australia mylicence website to ensure accuracy. If you’re confused about any of the steps listed above or require more information head to my licence.sa.gov.au for more information.