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My motorcycle licence

Learner's permit

The Rider Safe training program

The updated Rider Safe program will better prepare riders with the skills and experience they need to navigate our roads safely.

Visit SA.GOV.AU to learn more about applying for a motor bike licence.

Steps to get a learner's permit

  1. Pass a Motor Bike Rider Knowledge Test (via your mySAGOV account).
  2. Pass a Motor Bike Hazard Awareness Test (via your mySAGOV account).
  3. Pass a Motor Bike Learner's Course (via your mySAGOV account).

Minimum age requirement

Before obtaining a learner’s permit, you must be at least 18 years old. There are exemptions if you are either:

  • 17 years old and hold a provisional licence for another class of vehicle
  • 16 or 17 years old, and you live in a prescribed locality.

If you live in one of these locations, you are eligible for a restricted learner's permit and can only ride for the following reasons:

  • to attend tertiary education, vocational education or training, or within the course of tertiary education, vocational education or training
  • for work purposes
  • to participate in a sporting activity.

Learner's permit conditions and rules

If you hold a learner’s permit, you must meet the following conditions and rules.

Rider behaviour restrictions

  • Zero alcohol and drugs.
  • You must not exceed the speed limit by more than 10km/h.
  • You must not ride over 100km/h.
  • You must not incur four or more demerit points.
  • You must not carry pillion passengers or passengers in a side-car. This includes a person acting as a qualified supervising driver.
  • If you are under 25 years old, you must not ride a motor bike between midnight and 5am unless you meet the exemption criteria.
  • You must not use any function of a mobile phone while riding.
  • You can use your mobile phone to pay for goods and services while the vehicle is stationary in a road-related area. This includes:
    • using Apple Wallet or a similar Android App to make electronic payments at a drive-thru outlet or car park
    • using QR codes or vouchers for similar purposes
    • showing identification, such as a digital driver’s licence, where required or where the phone is required for entering or leaving a road-related area.

Vehicle restrictions and requirements

  • You must only drive approved motor bikes under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). See the list of restricted motor bikes (PDF, 2157 KB).
  • You cannot tow any vehicle (i.e. a trailer).
  • You must display 'L' plates.

Licensing and administrative requirements

  • You must hold a learner's permit for at least 12 months, regardless of your age. After 12 months, you are eligible to apply for an R-DATE licence classification.
  • Your licence will be restricted to an automatic motor bike if you passed the Motor bike Licence Assessment on an automatic motor bike.
  • You must carry your learner’s permit card or digital permit when riding. You must show it to a police officer when asked.
  • Learner's permits can be renewed. If the permit expires by more than five years, you may need to re-complete the pre-learner requirements.

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