Motorcycle licence and learner permit restrictions
Learn about the restrictions that apply when you're a learner and licenced motorcycle rider.
Visit the motorcycles for learner and restricted riders web page for a list of learner-approved motorcycles.
View more on motorcycle road rules.
Motorcycle learner permit
During your learner permit period, you:
- must not ride a motorcycle unless the headlight(s) of the motorcycle are on at all times
- must wear an approved high visibility vest or jacket that is visible and securely fitted and fastened (refer to the high visibility vest or jacket section, below)
- must display an 'L' plate on the rear of the motorcycle that is clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres at all times whilst riding
- must carry your digital learner permit, learner permit card or receipt every time you drive. While you're waiting for a new plastic card, if you have a digital driver licence you can use this instead of carrying your receipt.
- must not ride a motorcycle other than a learner approved motorcycle (LAMS)
- must not ride a motorcycle carrying a pillion passenger (a motorcycle with a sidecar is acceptable with a passenger)
- must not advance through slowed or stopped traffic between vehicles or adjacent lanes - see motorcycle filtering
- must have a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) when riding a motorcycle
- must not ride a motorcycle which is towing a trailer or another vehicle
- must wear an approved protective helmet at all times when riding
- must not use a mobile phone or other devices (eg: inbuilt, portable or wearable device) when driving.
‘N’ condition - Automatic transmission – motorcycle only
If you passed the motorcycle learner permit skill assessment on a motorcycle fitted with an automatic or semi-automatic transmission you can only ride a motorcycle fitted with an automatic transmission. This condition will be shown on your digital driver licence or licence card as an ‘N’ condition.
To have this condition removed, you must successfully pass the assessment on a motorcycle fitted with a manual transmission.
I have a motorcycle licence
The following restrictions will be shown on your digital driver licence or licence card as an 'E' condition.
You:
- must not ride a motorcycle unless the headlight(s) of the motorcycle are on at all times
- must carry your digital driver licence, driver licence card or receipt every time you drive
- must not ride a motorcycle other than a learner approved motorcycle (LAMS)
- must not ride a motorcycle carrying a pillion passenger (a motorcycle and sidecar is acceptable with a passenger)
- must have a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) when riding a motorcycle
- must not ride a motorcycle which is towing a trailer or another vehicle
- must wear an approved protective helmet at all times when riding
- must not use a mobile phone or other devices (eg: inbuilt, portable or wearable device) when driving.
I have a P1 or P2 probationary motorcycle licence
In addition to the above, all P1 and P2 probationary licence restrictions apply.
High visibility vest or jacket
All motorcycle learners must wear a high visibility vest or jacket. The high visibility vest or jacket must meet one of the standards listed below and have a label or mark on the garment that shows the standard.
The standards for a day and night high-visibility vest or jacket are:
- AS/NZS 4602.1:2011
- International Standard ISO 20471:2013 "High visibility clothing—Test methods and requirements"
- American National Standard ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 "High-Visibility safety apparel & accessories"
- BS EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 “High-visibility warning clothing for professional use. Test methods and requirements”