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Rider Safe training

Rider Safe reform

From 9 December 2024, riders must complete more extensive training if they are applying for either:

  • a motorbike learner’s permit
  • R-Date licence class.

This training is part of the Rider Safe program. Rider Safe is the practical training component of the Motorbike Graduated Licensing Scheme.

Key changes include introducing on-road assessments that complement the existing training. The current curriculum will expand to increase focus on:

  • safety awareness
  • judgement
  • decision-making.

The current Basic and Advanced Rider Safe courses will remain until 9 December 2024, but limited spots are available.

Booking numbers will be monitored in the lead up to the new courses. If there are no available spots, payments for the current courses may no longer be accepted.

Due to the limited capacity in current courses, payments are no longer accepted for:

  • Basic Rider Safe Course
  • Advanced Rider Safe Course
  • Returning Rider Course
  • Moped Returning Rider Course.

If you have paid for a course but haven't made a booking, you can still contact Rider Safe on 1800 018 300 to book. A spot is not guaranteed until booked and is subject to availability.

We will share details about the payments and bookings for the new Rider Safe courses on this page when available.

About Rider Safe

The Rider Safe program is delivered on “ranges”. The ranges are off-road facilities used to demonstrate, train and assess safe riding and handling skills.

If you live within 100 km of a Rider Safe range, you must complete the Rider Safe course to get your learner’s permit and motorbike licence.

There are Rider Safe ranges in St Agnes, Murray Bridge, Millicent, Barmera, Port Pirie and Whyalla.

Why we need the reform

Between 2019 and 2023, 15% of motorbike rider deaths from crashes in South Australia were learner riders. Motorbike rider deaths in the 16–24 age range have increased by an average of 1.3% per year over the past 20 years.

Rider Safe’s training focuses on:

  • bike control
  • key road safety messages
  • rider attitudes
  • skills.

The reform includes a Motorbike Hazard Awareness Test and Rider Knowledge Course. Rider Safe courses will include on road assessments for the first time.

Motorbike rider awareness about crash risks will be improved. It will include information on the most common motorbike crash types:

  • loss of control
  • intersections
  • same direction
  • side swipe
  • head on.

Road safety experts support the rider training reforms. The experts include:

  • the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) at the University of Adelaide
  • Transport and Road Safety (TARS) at the University of New South Wales.

The new training program

The reformed Rider Safe program involves the following steps.

Pre-learner
(people who don’t have a motorbike learner’s permit)

myRiderSafe (online)

This online program includes:

  • a rider knowledge course designed to assess safe-riding techniques.
  • a hazard awareness test. The test checks whether a person can recognise and respond to potentially dangerous situations and hazards.

Motorbike Learner’s Course

This is a two-day course with two instructors for up to five participants.

  • This replaces the current Basic course.
  • Participants will book and pay for these two days separately (Part A and Part B).

The course will include:

  • all current core elements. These are delivered on a range as part of the current Basic and Advanced courses.
  • a Motorbike Learners Range Assessment. This includes assessments to prepare participants for the on-road components of the course.
  • a Motorbike Learners Road Assessment, which is a short ride on nearby roads. This allows participants to show safe-riding practices in an on-road environment under supervision.
Pre-licence
(people who have a motorbike learner’s permit)

Motorbike Pre-licence Course

This is a half-day course with two instructors for five participants.

The course will include:

  • a classroom session to talk about risky scenarios and the skills and techniques used to avoid these.
  • an on-range component to refresh safe riding skills and confirm that these are being applied.
  • an on-road component for instructors to observe and provide feedback to participants on safe-riding skills and techniques.

Motorbike Licence Assessment

This is a 75-minute, on-road assessment with one instructor per participant.

During the assessment, the participant will travel along a set route while the instructor observes.

The participant is assessed on their ability to:

  • ride a motorbike
  • comply with road rules
  • interact with other road users safely.

Fees for the new courses

Stage Course or assessmentFee
Pre-learner myRiderSafe course (online) $35
Motorbike Learner Course Part A (one full day) $450
Motorbike Learner Course Part B (one full day) $450
Pre-licence Motorbike Pre-licence Course (one half day) $225
Motorbike Licence Assessment (75-minute session) $240
Total$1,400

You will pay for each training element as you go through the training program.

The cost will increase because of the higher level of training that will be provided compared to the current course.

Under the new model, new riders receive double the amount of training. The training will be targeted to each learner due to smaller course numbers. The new courses will have up to five participants, while still having two instructors. This is down from 10 participants currently.

How this affects current course participants

For those who passed the Basic Rider Safe course

If you passed the Basic Rider Safe course, Service SA will accept your certificate of completion. You'll get a motorbike learner's permit if you present your certificate to Service SA within 12 months of the course.

If you haven't passed the Advanced Rider Safe course, you must take the new Motorbike Pre-licence Course and Licence Assessment.

For those who passed the Advanced Rider Safe course

If you passed the Advanced Rider Safe course, Service SA will accept your certificate for competency. You'll get an R-Date motorbike licence if you present your certificate to Service SA within 12 months of the course.

We strongly recommend that you present your certificate of competency within 12 months of passing the current Advanced course. There's no guarantee certificates older than 12 months will be accepted.

If you've paid for the current program and won’t complete it before 9 December 2024

You may not be able to book into a current Rider Safe course before the new training program is introduced.

If you paid for a course, but couldn't book and attend one, you can get a refund for your course payment.

To apply for a refund, either:

  • visit a Service SA customer service centre
  • call 13 10 84.

If you paid a course, attended the course and didn't pass, you may not be entitled to a refund.

Exemptions

All South Australians must now pass the new online myRiderSafe course before they can apply for a motorbike learner’s permit.

However, if you live more than 100 km from one of the six training range locations, you don't have to take the practical Rider Safe courses to get your motorbike licence.

People living outside the 100 km catchment area can either:

  • take the practical Rider Safe courses
  • pass a motorbike practical driving test with an Authorised Examiner (government or private) or a police officer.

The Rider Safe ranges are in St Agnes, Murray Bridge, Millicent, Barmera, Port Pirie and Whyalla.

More information

For any questions about the changes, email DIT.RidersafeReforms@sa.gov.au.

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