Once you're 16 and 9 months, you can apply for a learner licence to ride a motorcycle, trike or scooter. Follow these steps to qualify.
On this pageYou don't need to hold a car driver licence to be eligible for a rider licence.
Double-check the list of training providers or call Transport for NSW on 13 22 13 to confirm whether you live in a declared area.
Check eligibility and requirementsTo get your NSW learner rider licence, you must:
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.
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
Before you can book rider training, you'll need one of the following for proof of identity:
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:
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.
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:
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 1.53MB).
Use our free practice tests to get familiar with the test questions and decide if you’re ready to take 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:
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 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 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.
Know the rules before you hit the road as an L-platerIn addition to complying with the NSW road rules, as a learner rider you must:
You must not:
Failure to meet these conditions is an offence and can carry severe penalties, including immediate loss of licence. If you lose your licence for any period, that time won't count towards your progression to a P1 licence.
Demerit points and penalties apply to learner riders. There are specific demerit points for learners.