Learner rider licence

To get your NSW learner rider licence, you must:

• be at least 16 and 9 months
• complete pre-learner training if you live in a declared area (this means training is available near you)
• pass a knowledge test.

If you live in a declared area, you'll need to choose a rider training provider and contact them to book your training. You must be at least 16 years and 6 months old to attend.

If there are no training providers near you (undeclared area), you can book a rider knowledge test without doing the pre-learner course. We still encourage you to attend a rider training course if you can. It will help you develop your riding skills and stay safe.

About the course

The pre-learner course is designed for people who have no motorbike riding experience. It is competency based. This means it has pass/fail criteria. You must successfully complete all components of the rider training.

Duration: 7 hours – 3.5 hours a day over 2 days for motorcycles and three-wheeled scooters or 6 hours over 1 day for trikes
Equipment: motorcycles, helmets and gloves are all provided at the training centre
Course completion: you must successfully complete all of the competencies, to receive your certificate of competence

Booking your pre-learner course

Before you can book rider training, you'll need one of the following for proof of identity:

• NSW driver licence
• Transport Customer Number (PDF 190.93KB).

If you don't have either of these, you'll need to apply for a Transport Customer Number at a service centre.

Find a rider training centre or call Transport for NSW on 13 22 13 to find a centre near you and:

• call or book with your training provider online
• tell the training provider if you want to learn to ride a scooter rather than a motorbike
• have a credit card ready to pay the training fee.
• To book a trike course, contact your nearest rider providers or attend your nearest Service NSW Centre.

Using your certificate of competence

When you’ve completed your training, you will receive a Pre-learner Certificate of Competence. This is valid for 3 months.

You can then book your Rider Knowledge Test.

If you don't get your learner rider licence before your certificate expires, you will have to do the course again.

Automatic motorcycles

If you passed the pre-learner course on an automatic motorcycle, you will be eligible to apply for a conditional learner rider licence. Your Certificate of Competence will show the following condition:

• A036 – may only ride an automatic motorcycle.

Automatic trike

• X125 – may only drive a three-wheeled motorcycle

The Rider Knowledge Test is a computer-based road rules knowledge test. You can do it in person at any service centre.

Everything you need to know to pass the Rider Knowledge Test is in the Road User Handbook and Motorcycle Rider Handbook (PDF 2.53MB).

Use our free practice tests to get familiar with the test questions and decide if you’re ready to take the test.

Booking the test

Once you're ready, you can book the test online, in person at any service centre or by phoning: 13 22 13.

You'll need to pay the test fee at the time of booking.
 

On the day of your test booking, go to your nominated service centre and bring:

• a completed Licence Application form (PDF 222.41KB)
• proof of identity
• your Pre-learner Certificate of Competence – if you live in a rider training area (declared area)
• payment for your licence fee.

You'll also need to pass an eyesight test, so make sure you bring your glasses or contact lenses with you if you wear them to ride.

Once you pass the Rider Knowledge Test we'll take your photo. We'll give you some L plates and a temporary paper licence. You can use this until your learner rider licence arrives in the post (usually within 10 working days).

You can choose to get a digital licence as well if you download the Service NSW app.

Your learner rider licence is valid for 12 months.

If your learner licence expires

If you're not ready to get your Ps at the end of the 12 months, you'll need to reapply for your learner rider licence. To do this, you'll have to attend rider training and you may need to pass the Rider Knowledge Test again. All fees apply.

Learner rider licences can be renewed within 3 months under limited circumstances, to find out more contact Service NSW on 13 22 13.

If you've completed pre-provisional training and your learner licence expires

If you have successfully completed pre-provisional training but failed the MOST at the time your learner licence expires, you can renew your learner rider licence. You won't need to sit the Rider Knowledge Test or attend pre-learner training again.

You may only renew your learner licence once. You must renew the licence within 3 months of its expiry date.

If you haven't renewed within 3 months, you'll have to attend rider training and pass the Rider Knowledge Test again. All fees apply.

In addition to complying with the NSW road rules (PDF 2.53MB), as a learner rider you must:

• only ride motorcycles or scooter approved for novice riders
• wear an approved motorcycle helmet
• have a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) – this means you cannot drink any alcohol before riding
• observe the speed limit and never go over the maximum learner speed limit of 90 km/h
• display an L plate – black L on an orange/yellow background – on the rear of your motorcycle so the letter 'L' is clearly visible.

You must not:

• ride manual motorcycles or scooters if your pre-learner training was on an automatic
• ride a two wheel motorcycle if your pre-learner training was on a three wheeled scooter
• drive any vehicle other than a motorcycle or scooter, unless you also have the appropriate licence to drive that vehicle (eg. Class C driver licence for a car)

• ride under the presence or influence of drugs
• carry pillion passengers
• tow any other vehicle
• lane filter
• use any functions of a mobile phone, hands-free device or loudspeaker while your motorcycle is moving or stopped but still in the line of traffic
• ride in Parramatta Park, Centennial Park or Moore Park in Sydney.