Motorbike licence - provisional or open (class RE, R)

You may choose to get your provisional or open motorbike licence (class RE, R) through Q-Ride or by passing the Department of Transport and Main Roads Q-SAFE practical driving test.

How do I apply for a provisional or open motorbike licence?

Your first motorbike licence will be for a class RE. Class RE licence holders are only able to ride a motorbike that is a learner approved motorbike.

Before you can apply for a class RE provisional or open licence, you will need to hold the class RE learner licence for at least six months. (Note: You do not need to hold your class RE learner licence for six months before you are eligible to apply for your class RE provisional or open licence if you choose to get your licence through Q-Ride).

Before you can upgrade your class RE learner licence to a class RE provisional or open licence you will need to:

• pay the practical driving test fee, book and pass the test or complete Q-Ride training and obtain a Q-Ride Certificate for a motorbike
• complete the Driver Licence Application/Renewal (form F3000)
• show your evidence of identity
• declare that you are medically fit to drive (Note: If you have a medical condition that might adversely affect your ability to drive or ride safely, you will be required to provide a medical certificate from your doctor.)
• pay the licence fee (Note: This is only required if you are renewing your licence at the same time - otherwise a licence, showing the amended licence class/es, will be reprinted at no cost).

When am I allowed to ride a class R motorbike?

You must have held a class RE provisional or open licence for at least one year before learning to ride a class R motorbike.

Note: You must comply with the no alcohol limit (0.00) when learning to ride.

You may choose to obtain your class R provisional or open licence through Q-Ride or by passing the Q-SAFE practical driving test on a class R motorbike.

Note: A class R provisional or open licence allows you to ride a motorbike of any engine capacity including a learner approved motorbike and a moped.

When am I allowed to carry a passenger on a motorbike?

You are only allowed to carry a passenger on a motorbike if you hold a provisional or open licence that authorises you to ride that class of vehicle and you have held that class of licence for at least one year.

A passenger on a motorbike includes a pillion passenger and a person seated in a sidecar attached to the motorbike.

However, as a learner you are required to be supervised by an appropriately licensed person when riding a motorbike. If the motorbike has a sidecar, your supervisor may accompany you by being safely seated in the sidecar.

Are there any additional rules I should know about?

As a motorbike rider, you are subject to the same road rules that apply to you when you drive other vehicles. However, because of the different nature of riding a motorbike, the following road rules also apply.

• You must always wear an approved helmet securely fastened at all times other than when the motorbike is parked.
• You must sit astride the rider's seat, face forward and keep your feet on the rider's footrests, except to use a foot-operated device on the motorbike or to remain stable when travelling at low speeds.
• You may ride side-by-side with another motorbike rider in one marked lane, provided you are not more than 1.5 metres apart.
• If you are learning to ride, you must display an L-plate on the rear of the motorbike you are riding or on the back of a vest worn while riding.
• If you hold a provisional licence (P1 or P2) you need to display the appropriate P plate on the rear of the motorbike at all times.
• Before carrying a passenger on the class of motorbike you are riding, you must have held your provisional or open motorbike licence for that class of motorbike for at least one year.

Rules for carrying passengers on any motorbike

• You must not carry a pillion passenger when you are learning to ride a class RE or R motorbike and during the first year of holding your class RE or R licence
• Each of your passengers must wear an approved motorbike helmet securely fastened at all times other than when the motorbike is parked.
• You must not carry passengers under eight years of age (except in a sidecar).
• You must not carry more passengers in the motorbike’s sidecar than the sidecar was designed to carry.
• Your passenger must be seated safely on the pillion seat or in a sidecar attached to the motorbike.
• Your pillion passenger must not ride on the motorbike unless the motorbike has a suitable pillion seat and suitable passenger footrests.
• Your pillion passenger on a moving motorbike must sit astride the pillion seat and face forward with their feet on the passenger footrests.
• Your passenger must not interfere with your effective control of the motorbike.