How do I get my motorcycle licence in Tasmania?

Yes, you will need a motorcycle licence to operate any powered two-wheeler on Tasmanian roads regardless of the capacity, top-speed capability, or transmission of the registered motorcycle you wish to ride. Like most states and territories, Tasmania uses a graduated licensing system that you’ll need to work through to obtain your unrestricted motorcycle licence.

You need to be at least 16 years and six months old to apply for your motorcycle learner permit in Tasmania and, if you’re new to motorcycling, doing so is a three-step process. The first thing you need to do is book and complete the Road Rules Knowledge Test at Service Tasmania, before booking and successfully completing a two-day pre-learner riding course with AJL Training.

When successful, you’ll be issued with a certificate of competency which, along with your Category A (evidence of existence) and Category B (evidence of identity) documents, you’ll need to take to a Service Tasmania office where you’ll be issued with a temporary learner’s permit. Your card will be issued once a fee has been paid, your photograph has been taken and any licence conditions determined.

If you’ve already previously held a bike licence, you take a different path called ‘non-novice learners’. Again, you need to be at least 16-and-a-half years old and pass the Road Rules Knowledge Test, but you only need to complete the last day of the pre-learner course. Once through that, 28 days later you can attend the Check Ride before undertaking the pre-provisional course 28 days after that.

It’s not essential, but it helps. If you’re concerned, AJL Training offers a one-on-one course that will introduce you to the very basics of controlling a motorcycle that you can complete ahead of attending the pre-learner course.

Yes. Once your learner’s permit has been issued, you can ride unaccompanied. Certain restrictions apply to learners, however. Motorcycle learner’s permit holders must observe a maximum 80km/h speed limit (or under, as posted), they must have a zero (0.0) blood alcohol concentration, they can’t carry a passenger and, as well as always displaying an L-plate, they must always carry their learner’s permit.

Once you have held your learner’s permit for a minimum of six months, you’ll need to go back to AJL Training for a course called Check Ride. Check Ride is designed to reinforce the safe riding skills and behaviours you learnt in the pre-learner course. A mix of both training-course and on-road assessments, the Check Ride must be undertaken at least 28 days before taking the pre-provisional test.

To get your P1 (red Ps) licence, you’ll need to pass the pre-provisional test, which again includes a closed-course and on-road assessment. You’ll be assessed on skills such as slow riding, sharp turns and emergency stops, while the road component looks at things like observation skills, lane position and speed choice.

Once you’ve held your P1 licence for 12 months, you can apply for a P2 (green Ps) licence. You don’t need to undertake any assessments, just provide some ID and show your pre-provisional certificate of competency. If you’re under 25, you’ll need to hold your P2 licence for two years. That’s reduced to one year if you’re over 25.

Given you need to be 16-and-a-half years old 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 two-and-a-half years if you haven’t already been through another licensing system), you will need to be at least 19 years old to obtain an unrestricted motorcycle licence.

You can study for the Knowledge Test in two ways. The first is by reading the Tasmanian Road Rules handbook issued by Service Tasmania. This can be downloaded for free from the Service Tasmania website or purchased for a small fee at a service centre. You can also complete a practice test online beforehand, as many times as you like.

According to AJL Training, you must wear suitable protective clothing when attending either the pre-learner, Check Ride or pre-provisional riding courses. As well as your own helmet and gloves, you must turn up with what it calls ‘full skin coverage’, ie long pants, a long-sleeve shirt or jacket and sturdy shoes or boots – pants or jeans with holes in them are not permitted.

You’ll need to bring your own food and water, as lunch is not provided, and while you can bring your own LAMS-approved registered motorcycle, the facility has bikes participants can book and use.

While the knowledge test is free, the two-day pre-learner course is $742.50 and your licence fee is $36.95. The Check Ride course is $259.50, the pre-provisional course is $209, while the P1 and P2 licence fee (combined) is $61.87.

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.

Are there different licences for automatic and manual transmission motorcycles?

Yes. AJL offers appropriate training to obtain an automatic or scooter licence.