How do I get my motorcycle licence in Queensland?

If you want to ride a motorcycle with a capacity larger than 49cc and a top-speed capability higher than 50km/h, you’ll need a motorcycle licence. If not, Queenslanders who currently hold an unrestricted car licence can operate a moped legally on the road, as long as it’s registered, insured, roadworthy and within the above-mentioned constraints.

In Queensland, a learner permit is referred to as an RE licence. Before you apply for an RE licence, you’ll need to complete two tasks. The first is to have previously held a provisional or unrestricted car licence for at least 12 months; this is about making sure you’ve had experience on the road before jumping on a bike by yourself.

The second thing is to complete the two-day Q-Ride pre-learner course, which gives you the basic knowledge and practical skills of operating a motorcycle in a closed-course environment. It covers cornering, braking, basic road craft and the importance of protective gear. The course contains 34 modules delivered over a minimum of two days.

If you can prove you live in an area too remote to attend a pre-learner course, you can be issued with an exemption, but course participants can apply for a provisional licence after 90 days, whereas riders with an exemption will need to wait 12 months.

Once you’ve completed the course, you then need to sit a knowledge test and get at least 27 of the 30 multiple-choice questions correct. The questions will range from road rules and risk management through to hazard perception.

Then, assuming you’re medically fit to ride – there’s no test for this bit as such, but you are obliged to notify the authority of any medical conditions you have – you can apply, pay for and and be issued with your RE licence.

No. The Q-Ride pre-learner course is designed for people with no riding experience.

No. For the first three months of your learners permit, you must ride under the supervision of a licensed rider.

Assuming you’ve completed the pre-learner course, you need to pay for and pass your online knowledge test in order to gain your learner’s permit. You can apply for a provisional (RE) licence after three months. After you have held your RE provisional or open licence for two years, all learner licence holders must pass the motorcycle hazard perception test before then successfully completing either the Q-Ride unrestricted (R) course or passing the Q-SAFE riding test.

If you live within a 100km radius of a Q-Ride training centre, you must complete the Q-Ride course.

Given you need to be at least 17 years old before you can take a practical driving test to obtain your provisional car licence, and that you need to have held a provisional (or open) car licence for at least 12 months before applying for your motorcycle learner’s permit, you will need to be at least 18 years old.

You can complete practise tests on the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) website. There’s three available, but only two will be useful to get a jump on gaining your motorcycle licence. There’s the Motorcycle Test, which contains 30 questions on motorcycle licensing, road rules and hazard perception, which you could be asked when applying for your licence. And also the General Test, which contains 10 give-way questions and 20 road rule questions.

There’s also a free 80-page Queensland Motorcycle Rider’s Guide available for download.

As well as a leaner-approved motorcycle, most pre-learner course providers will fit you with a helmet and a pair of gloves. If you have protective motorcycle gear of your own, be sure to wear it to the pre-learner course or licence assessment. If not, be sure to wear sturdy long pants and a long-sleeve top as well as boots that cover your ankles as a minimum.

Depending on the course, you’ll need your driver’s licence or learner permit to prove your eligibility.

The price of courses will depend on both the provider you choose to go with and if you attend on a weekday or a weekend. Generally speaking, at the time of publication pre-learner courses range between $349 and $500, the Restricted Licence (RE) Course will cost between $249 and $400, while the Unrestricted Course (R) will cost you around $199-$300.

Sitting the knowledge test comes with a $27.75 fee, the Hazard Perception Test will cost $39.95 to complete, while the practical riding test is another $64.95. There’s a few more costs when you’re successful, too. A Learner licence (issued for three years) will cost you $75, while provisional and open licences start at $88.55 for a one-year licence and go to $198.35 for a five-year licence.

Because you can’t get a motorcycle licence in Queensland without already holding a car licence, the status of your motorcycle licence will be represented on the same physical licence card as your car licence. 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. Demerit points apply from the date you commit an offence and are recorded once you have either paid the fine or been dealt with by a court. Some offences incur double demerits if they’re committed twice within a 12-month period. There’s a full list of offences, associated demerit points and cost of the fines on the Queensland Department of Transport and Motoring website.

In some states, yes. But not in Queensland. Other than being able to ride a moped (a maximum capacity of 50cc and a top speed of 50km/h) on a car licence, if you want to ride any two-wheeled vehicle larger than 50cc on a public road in Queensland, you’ll need to obtain the same licence regardless of whether it has a manual or automatic transmission.