Get your motorcycle rider licence in NSW

In NSW, you need to buy a green slip and register your motorcycle to legally ride on the road. You also have to get your riders licence. Find out how to pass through the graduated licensing scheme to get your full motorcycle licence in NSW.

How to get your rider licence

In NSW, there is a graduated licensing scheme for new motorcycle riders. Most riders have to successfully complete each stage before they can hold a full, unrestricted motorcycle licence. Here are the 7 steps:

1. Pre-learner training

Book a motorcycle rider training course with a nearby training centre. 

• This is a pre-learning course for people with no experience riding a motorcycle.
• The centre provides motorcycle, helmets and gloves and tuition of 7 hours over 2 days.
• Successful trainees receive the certificate of competence, valid for 3 months.

You can then book your rider knowledge test.

If you live in an unserviced area (no training centre), you can skip the pre-learner course and take the rider knowledge test. 

2. Rider knowledge test

The rider knowledge test is online and tests you on the road rules with 45 randomly selected questions.

• Make sure to read the Road User Handbook and the Motorcycle Rider Handbook. 
• You can also do practice tests to prepare. 

There is no time limit for the test, but you can’t get more than 6 questions wrong.

3. Learner rider licence

You need to be at least 16 years and 9 months to get it. The Class R (rider) learner licence is valid for 12 months.

On the day of your test booking, go to Service NSW and bring:

• Completed licence application form 
• Certificate of competence (serviced area only)
• Licence fee. 

Once you pass the rider knowledge test, you will receive a learner rider licence by post. It’s also possible to get a digital licence. You need to hold the learner rider licence for at least 3 months before you can progress to the next stage.

4. Pre-provisional training

Before you can get your P1 licence, you need to pass a pre-provisional course. The course takes 6 hours. If you live in an unserviced area, you will take a riding test instead.

On the same day, you take a practical 1-hour motorcycle operator skills test (MOST) to find out how well you can handle your motorcycle. If successful, take your certificate of competence to Service NSW. Your certificate is valid for 3 months.

5. Provisional P1 rider licence

To apply for a P1 rider licence, complete a licence application form and visit Service NSW with your:

• Learner rider licence
• Pre-provisional certificate of competence (if you live in a serviced area)
• Licence fee. 

Your P1 licence is valid for 18 months and you need to hold it for at least 12 months before you can apply for a P2 licence.

While holding a learner, P1 or P2 licence, all riders are restricted to a motorcycle approved under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS).

6. Provisional P2 rider licence

The next phase is the P2 class of licence. There are no skills tests or training courses required. You can apply for your P2 rider licence online. 

You must apply for your P2 rider licence in person at Service NSW if:

• You need an eyesight test, medical examination or other test.
• Your licence expired over 6 months ago.
• Your address changed in the last 14 days.

Your P2 licence is valid for 30 months and you need to hold it for at least 24 months.

While holding a learner, P1 or P2 licence, riders are restricted to only an approved motorcycle under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS).

7. Full rider licence

You are now qualified to be fully licensed to ride your motorcycle. Once again, you can apply for your full rider licence online, unless licence conditions require you to attend Service NSW in person. Choose from a licence term of 1, 3 or 5 years or, for ages 21-44 only, 10 years.

You are no longer restricted to approved motorcycles under LAMS.

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