How do I get my motorcycle licence in New South Wales?

Yes, regardless of the capacity, top-speed capability, or transmission type of the registered two- or three-wheeled vehicle, you will need a motorcycle licence to ride it on New South Wales roads. Like most states and territories, New South Wales uses a graduated licensing system that you’ll need to work through in order to obtain your unrestricted motorcycle licence.

The learner rider licence is the first step in NSW’s Motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme. To apply, you need to be at least 16 years and nine months old; you’ll also need to complete the pre-learner course and sit and pass a rider knowledge test. And, unlike some states, you don’t need to have held a car licence prior to applying for your motorcycle learner permit.

The pre-learner course consists of two 3.5-hour modules which you need to complete over two days. They are hosted by a range of accredited providers dotted around the state. However, if you live in a remote area where a course isn’t available near you, called an ‘undeclared area’, you can complete the knowledge test without attending the pre-learner course.

Once you’ve completed the pre-learner course, you’ll receive a certificate of competency which remains valid for three months. If you don’t sit and pass your knowledge test within the 12-week period, you’ll be required to complete the course again.

No. The pre-learner course is designed for people who have no motorcycle riding experience.

Yes. Once your learner permit has been issued, you can ride unaccompanied. Certain restrictions apply to learners, such as a maximum 80km/h speed limit, a zero (0.0) blood alcohol concentration, and you can’t carry a passenger. As well as always displaying an L-plate, you must always carry your learner permit every time you ride.

Once you have held your learner permit for a minimum of three months, you can go for your P1 (red Ps) licence. If you live in a declared area, you’ll need to complete the pre-provisional rider training course which takes place over one day for a seven-hour duration. You must successfully complete all of the competencies – including an on-road ride component – before completing a practical assessment called the Motorcycle Operator Skills Test (MOST).

Once you’ve passed the MOST, you’ll be issued with a certificate of competency which you’ll need to be issued with your P1 licence. Again, this certificate is only valid for three months. If you live in an undeclared area, you will need to take a kerbside riding test through Service NSW. You can book this test without completing the pre-provisional course.

Once you’ve had your P1 licence for a minimum of 12 months, you can apply for your P2 (green Ps) licence. There are no tests or assessments involved, you simply apply online or in person at Service NSW. If you are 25 years or older and hold an unrestricted driver's licence, you don’t need to get a P2 licence.

Then, once you’ve held your P2 licence for a minimum of two years, you can apply for an unrestricted NSW licence online or at any Service NSW centre.

Given you need to be 16 and nine months before you can apply for your learner permit, hold that licence for six months before applying for your Ps (which you’ll need to hold for three years if you haven’t already been through another licensing system), you will need to be at least 20 years old to obtain an unrestricted motorcycle licence.

The Rider Knowledge Test is made up of questions pertaining to both the Road User Handbook and Motorcycle Rider Handbook, which are available for download at Service NSW. Alternatively, you can take as many online practice tests as you like before sitting your knowledge test. The practice tests are free.

While a motorcycle, helmet and gloves will be provided by the course host, you must bring photo ID and be dressed in suitable clothing. It’s important you wear clothing that covers all exposed skin. If you don’t have a riding jacket or dedicated riding pants, a sturdy long-sleeved shirt, thick pants, and sturdy shoes or boots must be worn as a minimum.

At the time of publication, the pre-learner course costs $107, the pre-provisional course costs $159, while the MOST is $65. The learner licence fee costs $26, P1 is $61 and P2 is $96. The unrestricted licence fee will cost you between $62 and $362 depending on whether you opt for a one-, three-, five- or 10-year licence. The tests incur fees, too: the knowledge test is $49 for each attempt, the riding test is $60 a pop, while the hazard perception test which everyone must undertake is $49 per attempt. But prices to change from time to time, so refer to Service NSW for the most up-to-date figures.

If you hold a car licence, the status of your motorcycle licence will be represented on the same physical licence card. The two licences are independent but are bound by the same demerit points. If you lose your car licence, you’ll also lose your motorcycle licence, and vice-versa.

Yes. All riders (and drivers) start with zero demerit points. If you commit a traffic offence, demerit points can be added to your driving record. The number of demerit points you get depends on the type of offence committed.

Yes. While there’s no such thing as a ‘moped licence’ in New South Wales, meaning you’ll need to hold a licence to ride a motorcycle of any capacity regardless of its top-speed capability, there are three types of motorcycle licence you can apply for. There’s the conventional licence, which allows you to operate a two-wheeled motorcycle with a manual transmission; there’s a scooter licence, which is for twist-and-go machines with an automatic-like CVT transmission; or there’s a trike licence, which allows you to only operate three-wheeled vehicles on New South Wales roads.