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5. Motorbike licence Provisional or Open (class RE, R)

Motorbike licence Provisional or Open (class RE, R)

You must pass a practical riding test or have a Q-Ride certificate before your provisional or open licence will be upgraded to include a motorbike (class R or RE).

How do I apply for a motorbike licence?

Before you can apply for a learner licence to ride a motorbike you must have held a provisional or open licence of another class for at least one year during the five years before applying.

Your first licence will be for a class RE, which willl allow you to learn to ride a learner approved motorbike.

To apply for a motorbike learner licence you will need to:

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

Before you can upgrade to a provisional or open class RE 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 (class RE)
• 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 motorbike provisional or open licence for at least one year before you can learn to ride a class R motorbike.

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

You may then follow the steps outlined above to upgrade your licence class from a class RE to a class R.

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, while learning to ride you may carry a supervisor seated in a sidecar attached to the motorbike.

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 carry your licence with you at all times when you are riding and show it promptly to a police officer when required to do so.  However, if you hold an open licence and are riding a class RE or R motorbike, you may be given 48 hours to present your licence.
• 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.
• 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.
• Pillion passengers must be at least eight years of age.
• 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 visible from the rear of the motorbike.