Are you gearing up to get your motorbike licence sometime soon? Well, be prepared for a rather long ride revved up with excitement and the occasional sharp turn on the way.
Just like getting on the road itself, knowing where you’re heading is essential to reaching your final destination successfully –that is why it’s important to know how, when and where to begin.
But before you put your keys in the ignition and go full throttle, you’ll need to meet a few key requirements that apply in every state, as well as those specific to yours, in order to get your motorbike licence.
Different states and territories have unique motorbike applications and tests and individual road rules regarding riding a motorbike on their roads. You’ll need to learn both before getting your licence.
But before you have a breakdown already, Build-it has drawn up a motorbike licence roadmap to give you the jump-start needed to begin your motorcycle journey and avoid any roadblocks along the way.
Getting your licence in every state
New South Wales
To rev up your motorcycle licence journey in NSW, you need to be at least 16 years and nine months old and complete both a pre-learner and pre-provisional rider training course.
The pre-provisional course is a one-day, 7-hour session that includes both training and testing.
Passing the practical riding test, which involves the Motorcycle Operator Skills Test, will earn you a certificate of competence and put you on the road with a P1 (Provisional) rider licence.
Victoria
In Victoria, the road to a motorbike licence starts at 18 years old and you must hold your Australian motorcycle learner’s permit for at least three months continuously.
The process includes completing a Check Ride, a half-day coaching course that assesses your braking, steering, and low-speed manoeuvring skills.
Queensland
In Queensland, obtaining a motorcycle licence begins with already holding your provisional drivers licence before completing the Q-Rider pre-learner course, designed to equip you with essential riding skills.
Proper protective gear, including a helmet, gloves, and jacket, is mandatory to participate.
After the course, you’ll need to pass a motorcycle knowledge test covering road rules, safety, and licensing.
South Australia
In South Australia, you’ll start with a basic training course, but you’ll also need a current driver’s licence or learner’s permit first.
After holding your motorcycle learner’s permit for 12 months, you can advance to an advanced training course, which includes lessons in bike control, road riding, and traction theory, paving the way to your R-date motorbike licence.
Western Australia
To ride in WA, you need to be at least 16 years old and pass a motorcycle theory test to earn your R-E learner’s permit.
Following the theory test, the Practical Riding Assessment tests your ability to handle emergency stops, low-speed balancing, and hill starts.
Northern Territory
In the NT, the journey starts with passing a learner-riding test, a theory test, and an eye test.
After holding your learner rider’s licence for six months, you’re eligible for a practical riding test, which includes the Motorcyclist Education Training and Licencing (METAL) provisional rider course.
Australian Capital Territory
To get a motorcycle licence in the ACT, you need to be at least 16 years and nine months old. You’ll start with a government-approved rider training course, which includes a computerised knowledge test.
After completing the Rider Training Course, you can visit an Access Canberra Service Centre to get your licence endorsed.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, you can start the process at 16 years and 6 months old. After passing the Road Rules Knowledge test, you’ll complete a Pre-Learner course and the Check Ride test to assess your braking, steering, and low-speed manoeuvring skills.
Once you’ve held your learner licence for six months and passed the Check Ride, you can take the Pre-Provisional test to move forward.
Experienced rider’s advice for new motorcyclists
Knowing the criteria and how to apply for your licence isn’t the only essential piece of information new riders need before they begin their motorbiking journey.
There are also plenty of must-know novice tips and advice that could spare your new motorbiking lifestyle from breaking down before you’ve even begun.
That is why Build-it spoke to international motorcyclist Maichel Ghobrial, who has ridden motorcycles across four different continents and is a member of motorcycle clubs in four different countries. He gave us his top three takes on what every new rider needs to know.
1 – Rev up your mental engine for the written exam:
Passing the written test is the first checkpoint on your motorbike journey.
Think of it as tuning your engine before a big trip—proper preparation ensures everything runs smoothly and you can reach your destination.
There is a separate test in each state, which quizzes would-be riders on their understanding of the road rules and how their actions can affect safety on the road.
“Some new riders can find the written exam more challenging than the bike itself,” Maichel advises.
“Study the regulations specific to your state or territory, and get familiar with the types of questions you’ll face.”
“There are even practice questions and mock quizzes available online for some states which are super handy.”
“With the right preparation, you’ll breeze through the test and be one step closer to hitting the road.”
2 – Don’t skid out on safety gear:
When it comes to getting on a motorbike, having high-quality safety gear is absolutely essential.
Just like you wouldn’t ride a bike on flat tyres or with smoke coming from the engine, riding one without the right safety equipment is practically an accident waiting to happen.
A custom-fitted helmet is the most important (and legally required piece), as well as motorbike leathers, jackets, gloves and boots.
While the cost might be a bit of a speed bump that slows you down before you get on the road, this investment is crucial to your safety and could keep you alive in the case of a collision.
“Getting all the safety gear can be pretty pricey –depending on how much you want to spend, it can quickly end up in the thousands,” Maichel warned.
“But if you are going to splash out on one, having the correct gear is definitely more important than having the nicest or fastest bike.”
“Think of it as a one-off investment; once you have this stuff, most of it should last you longer than the bike itself, so it’s worth it.”
3 – Navigating the road rules:
Just like each motorbike has its own unique features and quirks, every state and territory in Australia has unique laws.
Whether you’re cruising through WA or coasting in Victoria, knowing the local rules will ensure you stay in the fast lane once you’ve earned that licence.
So before you twist the throttle, make sure you’re well-versed in the road rules that apply to your state or territory or the one you’re planning to visit.
An example of a unique motorbike rule specific to one state is the act of ‘edge filtering’, which is permitted only in Queensland.
“Edge filtering is riding at a low speed on a road shoulder or in an emergency stopping lane, past slow-moving or stopped traffic,” Maichel explained.
“In all other states and territories, this could result in a fine and demerit points. So if you’re not in Queensland, you can only filter in between traffic, not along the road edges.”
