Licences

Trike (only) licence assessment

Apply for a three-wheel motorcycle licence – only for riders with disability or a relevant medical condition.

Riding a trike

Some people may wish to ride a conventional motorcycle but be unable to do so because of a medical condition or disability, such as balance problems or lack of control over their legs. In some cases, the person will still be able to a drive a motor vehicle, such as a car, possibly with modifications to suit their needs (e.g. hand-operated controls). Some people may have the option of riding a motor trike, which is much more stable than a motorcycle.

To ride a motor trike on public roads and road-related areas, a rider must hold a motorcycle licence or learner permit. A rider with a disability who is unable to ride a conventional motorcycle can apply for a motorcycle licence or permit with a special condition that allows the person to ride only trikes. This fact sheet outlines the required steps to obtain a motorcycle licence or permit to ride a trike.

The steps outlined here apply only to a person who, due to a medical condition or disability, is not able to ride a conventional motorcycle. If you are a motorcycle rider without any medical condition or disability that falls under the national fitness to drive guidelines and you wish also to ride trikes, a different process applies. Visit the register a motor trike page.

 

 

Other considerations

You should also consider the following:

  • the most suitable type of trike for your needs (e.g. two wheels at the front and one at the back, or two at the back and one at the front)
  • cargo capacity (e.g. to transport crutches or wheelchair)
  • garaging and access from your residence
    • parking:
    • unlike a motorcycle, a trike cannot legally be parked on a footpath
  • if you have an Accessibility Parking Permit, you can park the trike in an accessible parking space
  • lane filtering is not permitted when riding a trike.

Costs

Apart from the cost of purchasing a trike, other costs include:

  • the cost of any modifications required to suit your needs
  • VASS certification (if required)
  • fees for medical consultation(s) to complete and submit the medical report form to Department of Transport Medical Review
  • OTDA fees to perform the off-road assessment, possibly including travel to your home
  • OTDA fees to assist with the learner permit and licence assessments, possibly including travel to the premises of the accredited motorcycle provider
  • accredited motorcycle provider fees for the two-day learner permit training and assessment, the Check Ride and the licence assessment
  • protective safety gear, including a helmet
  • registration (trikes are registered as a vehicle, not a motorcycle)
  • insurance
  • mechanical maintenance.

Riders with a disability may be eligible for funding assistance via TAC or other compensation schemes such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (see ndis.gov.au).