You must have held your learner rider licence for a minimum of three months before you are eligible to attend the pre-provisional course. However, you may book your course any time after gaining your learner rider licence.
Provisional P1 riders must:
- Clearly display a red-on-white P plate at the rear of the motorcycle when riding. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden.
- Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (this means you cannot drink before riding). It is also illegal to ride under the influence of drugs.
- Not ride faster than 90km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is below 90km/h.
- Only ride automatic motorcycles unless a test is passed on a manual motorcycle.
- Not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity exceeding 660ml and a power-to-weight ratio greater than 150kw/tonne. The motorcycle must be approved by Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) and shown on the Approved motorcycles for novice riders list below.
- Not carry a pillion passenger.
- Not instruct a learner driver or rider.
- Not tow any vehicle or trailer.
- Wear an approved motorcycle helmet properly fitted.
- Not use any functions of a mobile phone, including hands-free devices.
Provisional P2 riders must:
- Clearly display a green-on-white P plate at the rear of the motorcycle when riding. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden.
- Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (this means you cannot drink before riding). It is also illegal to ride under the influence of drugs.
- Not ride faster than 100km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is below 100km/h.
- Not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity exceeding 660ml and a power-to-weight ratio greater than 150kw/tonne. The motorcycle must be approved by Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) and shown on the Approved motorcycles for novice riders list below.
- Wear an approved motorcycle helmet properly fitted.
- Not use any functions of a mobile phone, including hands-free devices.
Tenure requirements
A P1 rider licence is issued for 18 months. You must hold a P1 rider licence for a minimum total period of 12 months before being eligible to progress to a P2 rider licence.
If you have committed an offence under section 129 of the Liquor Act 2007 of using false documents to gain access to licensed premises or purchase alcohol you will be required to hold your P1 rider licence for 18 months, that is, an additional six-month period.
Any period that your licence is suspended is not counted. This means that if your licence is suspended, you must hold your P1 licence for an additional period that is equal to the suspension period. As an example, if your licence is suspended for 3 months, the earliest you can progress to the P2 licence is after 15 months (12 months + 3 months = 15 months) or, if the Liquor Act offence applies, 21 months (18 months + 3 months).
If you are disqualified from driving by a court, the law operates to immediately and permanently cancel any licence held. In these circumstances, any tenure gained on your P1 licence is forfeited. This means that when the disqualification period has ended, you will be required to obtain a further P1 licence and you will need to complete the 12 months (or 18 months) tenure period again before you can progress to a P2 licence.
Riders over age 25
Riders over the age of 25 that meet Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) requirements may receive an exemption from the P2 phase. To be eligible for an exemption from the P2 phase, riders must:
- Be 25 years of age or older when they apply for the unrestricted licence.
- Hold a current Australian unrestricted driver licence.
- Have completed a minimum of 12 months on a P1 licence.
- Meet all other licensing requirements.
Demerit points
A provisional P1 rider licence will be suspended or refused for three months if the threshold of four demerit points is reached or exceeded. This means a provisional P1 licence will be suspended for at least three months for any speeding offence.
A provisional P2 rider licence will be suspended or refused for three months if the threshold of seven demerit points is reached or exceeded.
Automatic suspensions for excessive speed offences
Automatic suspensions apply for any excessive speed offence (more than 30 km/h above the speed limit) and will be additional to any demerit points suspension.
Pre-provisional course
The pre-provisional course is six hours of training followed by the Motorcycle Operator Skill Test (MOST). Testing usually takes about one hour, depending on the number of tests to be conducted.
Motorcycle Operator Skills Test (MOST)
The MOST is designed to measure a rider’s ability to handle a motorcycle, including starting, accelerating, turning and braking. It is undertaken at the end of the pre-provisional rider-training course. For more information about MOST use the related link.
What do I bring with me on the day?
- Your current learner rider licence.
- Your motorcycle in a registered and roadworthy condition with current registration label and L plate affixed.
- Appropriate clothing
You will not be allowed to undergo training or testing on a motorcycle that is not roadworthy, fully registered and learner-approved by Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority).
The list of 'Approved motorcycles for novice riders' will tell you which motorcycles are learner-approved.
Some training centres have motorcycles for hire.
After the course
Once you have successfully completed the course, you will be issued with a Pre-provisional Certificate of Competence (red in colour) that is valid for three months. If you don’t upgrade to your provisional licence within the three months, you will need to go through the training again.
To get your provisional licence, go to your nearest motor registry and:
- Take your Pre-provisional course Certificate of Competence.
- Take your Learner Rider Licence as proof of identity.
- Complete a licence application form.
- Pass an eyesight test.
- Pay the licence fee.
How to obtain your licence in an undeclared area
To get a learner rider licence, go to your nearest motor registry and:
- Take your proof of identity documents.
- Complete an application form.
- Pass an eyesight test.
- Pay and pass the rider knowledge test.
- Pay the licence fee.
To get a provisional (P1) rider licence, go to your nearest motor registry, visit mytests on this website or phone 13 22 13 and:
- Pay for and make a booking for your riding test.
- After you have passed the test pay the licence fee.
To get a provisional (P2) rider licence, go to your nearest motor registry and:
- Take your P1 rider licence.
- Pay the licence fee.