Before you even start to learn to ride on the road, you’ll need to get a learner licence.
To apply for a learner licence you have to:
To make sure you can ride safely on the road while learning, you need to pass a basic handling skills test before you get your learner licence.
If you successfully pass the basic handling skills test, you’ll be given a basic handling skills certificate. You can now apply for your learner licence.
You’ll need to go to a driver licensing agent to:
This is a computer-based multi-choice test of 35 questions you can take at a driver licensing agent. It covers road rules, hazards and safe riding practices to make sure you have the knowledge to begin riding on the road safely.
The questions appear in a random order and you select the answer you think is correct. You can change your mind after selecting an answer, but it’ll be locked in when you move on to the next question.
You need to get at least 32 questions right to pass the test. If you get more than 3 questions wrong, you’ll need to book another test.
If you fail the test twice on the same day, you’ll need to wait 10 working days before you can sit the test again. This is to give you more time to learn the road rules, and to make sure other people also have a chance to take their test.
When you pass the test, you’ll be given a temporary learner licence, valid for 21 days, to use until your photo driver licence arrives.
Note: please don’t bring children to your test. Having children with you may be a distraction and cause you to fail the test.
You need to be thoroughly familiar with the road rules to pass the test. You’ll find everything you need to know in the road code.
To help you learn the road rules, you can practice with questions from the theory test. You can also use our free website Drive to work through the road code with real theory test questions, games and quizzes.
If you’re having difficulty getting ready for your theory test because of a reading or language barrier, there are several organisations that may be able to help:
People with reading issues can also apply for:
Besides English, the test is available in the following languages:
Talk to a driver licensing agent for more information about these options.
There are also conditions around alcohol and driving.
If you break the learner conditions of your driver licence, you could get 25 to 35 demerit points and a $100 fine.
ImportantIf you don’t follow your licence conditions, the police can stop you from riding. They may tell you to ride straight home, take your keys, immobilise your motorcycle, or have it moved to a place where it’s not a traffic hazard. |
If you’re riding with a learner licence, you must display an L plate on the back of your motorcycle, moped or ATV where it’s clearly visible.
L plates show other road users that you’re a learner and help police officers make sure learner riders are following the learner licence conditions.
The L plate must have a black L on a yellow background and must be no smaller than the measurements shown on the diagram.
You can buy L plates from driver licensing agents, or you can make your own.
Learning to ride a motorcycle is very risky and many people have crashes while on their learner licence. It’s important you learn good riding skills from a person who knows what they’re doing. They should be a skilled and experienced motorcyclist, preferably a professional instructor.
Instructors charge a fee for training and must hold a driving instructor (I) endorsement for each class of licence they want to teach.
Before your first lesson, ask the instructor to show you proof they hold a current instructor endorsement.
