Learning to ride: Getting your motorcycle licence

Motorcycle riding requires skills that you can only gain by spending time on a motorcycle. For this reason, you can't legally ride a motorcycle on the road using a car driver licence. You need a Class 6 (motorcycle) licence to ride a motorcycle on the road.

Three stages to get your licence

The graduated driver licensing system has three stages.

Each stage has a test you have to pass. There's a basic handling skills test and a theory test to begin stage 1, and practical riding tests to begin stages 2 and 3. See the chart at the end of this factsheet for an overview of the 3-stage graduated driver licensing system.

As you move from one stage to the next you're given a new licence, with different requirements and more responsibilities. Normal road rules apply at all times.

Basic handling skills test

Before you can apply for a learner licence you must pass a basic handling skills test, usually conducted by an approved motorcycle riding instructor.

Check our website (www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/ motorcycles/skills-test.html) or look in the yellow pages to find a basic handling skills test provider near you.

For more information on the riding exercises in this test, see the latest version of The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists. The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists can be purchased from many bookstores and driver licensing agent

Where to apply

You can apply at any NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) driver licensing agent. These are selected branches of:

• Automobile Association (AA)
• Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ)
• Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ)

Stage 1 – learner licence

You must get a learner licence before you learn to ride on the road. To apply for a learner licence, you must be at least 16 years of age.

Obtaining a learner licence

To get your learner licence, you must apply at a driver licensing agent and:

• fill out an application (form DL1)
• present your basic handling skills test certificate
• present evidence of your identity and evidence of your address (see the identification section)
• prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see the eyesight section)
• have your photograph taken and provide a signature
• pay the learner licence application and test fees (see the what it costs section)
• pass the learner licence theory test (see the passing your theory test section).

Learner licence conditions

• You must not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity greater than 250cc.
• You must not ride between 10pm and 5am.
• You must not carry any passengers on your motorcycle or moped or in any sidecar.
• You must not tow another vehicle.
• You must always have a learner (L) plate attached to the rear of your motorcycle or moped. You can obtain L plates from most driver licensing agents.

Stage 2 – restricted licence

To apply for a restricted licence, you must be at least 16½ years of age and have held your learner licence for at least six months.

Obtaining a restricted licence

To get your restricted licence, you must apply at a driver licensing agent and:

• fill out an application (form DL1)
• present evidence of your identity and evidence of your address (see the identification section)
• prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see the eyesight section)
• have your photograph taken and provide a signature
• book a time to sit the restricted practical test (see the booking your practical test section)
• pay the restricted licence application and test fees (see the what it costs section)
• pass the restricted licence practical riding test (see the passing your practical tests section).

Restricted licence conditions

• You must not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity greater than 250cc.
• You must not ride between 10pm and 5am.
• You must not carry any passengers on your motorcycle or moped or in any sidecar.
• You must not tow another vehicle.

Stage 3 – full licence

Drivers under 25 years of age

You will need to be at least 18 years of age and have held your restricted licence for 18 months before you can apply for your full licence. If you present an approved advanced driving course certificate, the minimum age reduces to 17½ and the length of time you must have held your restricted licence reduces to 12 months. Drivers under 25 must hold their restricted licence for at least six months before completing an approved advanced driving course.

Drivers 25 years of age or over

If you are 25 years of age or over you must have held your restricted licence for at least six months before you can apply for your full licence. This period reduces to three months if you present an approved advanced driving course certificate.

Obtaining a full licence

To get your full licence, you must apply at a driver licensing agent and:

• fill out an application (form DL1)
• have your photograph taken and provide a signature.
• present evidence of your identity and evidence of your address (see the identification section)
• prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see the eyesight section)
• book a time to sit the full practical test (see the booking your practical test section)
• pay the full licence application and test fees (see the what it costs section)
• pass the full licence practical riding test (see the passing your practical tests section).

Identification requirements

You must present evidence of your identity and evidence of your address each time you apply for a driver licence. You must present evidence of a name change if you are changing the name on your driver licence, or if the name on your evidence of identity/address documents differs from what you want on your driver licence.

Evidence of identity

Acceptable evidence of your identity must confirm your full name and date of birth. It must be an original (not a photocopy) of one of the following:

• A New Zealand photo driver licence that is current or has expired less than two years.
• A current New Zealand temporary driver licence that is accompanied by an acceptable form of photographic identification.
• An overseas or New Zealand passport that is current or has expired less than two years.
• A full birth certificate* issued in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau.
• Another acceptable identity document. Refer to factsheet 20 for the full range of acceptable identity documents.

* old-style birth certificates that do not include your parents' details are no longer accepted by government agencies (including the NZTA) as evidence of identity.

Evidence of name change

Acceptable evidence of name change must be an original (not a photocopy) of one of the following:

• A marriage or civil union certificate.
• A dissolution of marriage or dissolution of civil union order.
• A deed poll certificate, change of name certificate, or a statutory declaration confirming change of name, issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Evidence of address

Acceptable evidence of your address must show your name and address. It must be an original (not a photocopy) of one of the following:

• An account statement issued within the last 12 months by your bank, building society, credit union or credit card company.
• A telephone, gas, or electricity account issued within the last six months.
• Another acceptable form of identity issued within the last 12 months that shows your address.

Eyesight requirements

You must prove that your eyesight meets the required standard each time you apply for a new licence class. To do this you can:

• present a satisfactory eyesight certificate issued by an NZ registered optometrist (this certificate must be no more than 60 days old)
• present a satisfactory medical certificate issued by an NZ registered medical practitioner (this certificate must be no more than 60 days old)
• pass an eyesight screening check at a driver licensing agent.

Note: The agents' eyesight screening machines eliminate the need for many drivers to be tested by an optometrist or medical practitioner. However, if you don't pass the screening check then you must provide one of the certificates listed before your application can proceed. Some drivers choose to supply a certificate instead of taking a screening check. If you have vision in only one eye (monocular vision) you must present an eyesight certificate from a doctor or optometrist.

What it costs

	Fee
Basic handling skills test	Cost may vary between providers
Learner licence application fee	$48.20
Learner licence test fee	$45.70
Total	$93.90
Restricted licence application fee	$48.20
Restricted licence test fee	$86.60
Total	$134.80
Full licence application fee	$49.60
Full licence test fee	$59.90
Total	$109.50

If you don't pass a test, then you will need to pay another test fee when rebooking. You won't be charged another application fee.

Booking a practical driving test

You can book a time to sit your restricted or full licence practical licence test:

• Online.
• By calling our contact centre on 0800 822 422.
• At a driver licensing agent.

If you book online or via the call centre, then you must allow an extra 30 minutes prior to your test, or visit a driver licensing agent prior to your test, to complete the application requirements (eg having your photo taken and eyesight checked).

Check what time the licensing agent opens on the day of your test. If your test is early in the morning and the agent is not open you will not be able to complete the requirements listed above. This means you will need to visit an agent on a day prior to your test.

Check the location of your test. Not all test sites have driver licensing agents. This means that if your test is booked at a testing only site, you will need to visit a driver licensing agent at another location to complete the application requirements before you sit your test.

Changing or cancelling your test

If you have booked a theory or practical test and want to change or cancel your test, you will have to pay a further fee. Where there are two or more complete working days (excluding weekends and public holidays) between the day you change or cancel your test and the day of your appointment, you will need to pay a rescheduling fee of $16.40.

Where there are less than two complete working days (excluding weekends and public holidays) between the day you change or cancel your test and the date of your appointment, you will not pay a rescheduling fee, but will need to pay a further test fee.

You may be eligible for a refund of the first test fee paid where the cancelled test time is taken by another person. If the test fee is refunded, a processing fee of $16.40 will be deducted. You can obtain a refund application (form DL13) online at www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/photo/fees-refunds.html or by phoning our call centre on 0800 822 422.

Passing your theory test

The learner licence theory test is a computer-based, 35-question, multi-choice test that assesses your knowledge of road rules and safe driving practices. All the information you require to pass the theory test can be found in The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists. The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists can be purchased from many bookstores and driver licensing agents. It's also available online. You can also practise the theory test online at roadcodepractice.

Passing your practical test

Carry your driver licence

Make sure that your driver licence is current and that you have it with you. If you arrive for the test and your licence isn't current or you don't have it with you, you won't be able to sit the test. You'll need to rebook and pay another test fee.

Pre-drive vehicle check

The testing officer will look over your vehicle before the test to ensure it is roadworthy. They'll check the tyres, indicators, brake lights etc, and make sure your vehicle has a current warrant of fitness (WoF) and a valid licence label. If your vehicle isn't roadworthy, the test won't proceed (even if it has a current WoF). You'll need to rebook and pay another test fee.

Vehicles displaying trade plates cannot be used to sit a practical driving test.

Further information

Further information on what the test involves, preparing for the test and a test day checklist can be found in The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists and on our website.

After the test

After you pass the test you'll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use while your photo driver licence is manufactured and mailed to you, which should take two to three weeks.

Rider responsibility

You must have your licence with you at all times while riding; as the law requires that you must produce your licence immediately, when requested by an enforcement officer. Failure to do so can result in an instant fine.

It's illegal to ride, or attempt to ride, under the influence of alcohol. If you're suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, breath and/or blood tests may be required.

If you're under 20 years of age, there is a zero alcohol limit. This means if you ride after consuming just one drink, you can be charged with drink-driving.

If you're 20 or older, the legal alcohol limit is 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood or 400 micrograms per litre of breath.

It's illegal to ride, or attempt to ride, under the influence of drugs. If an enforcement officer suspects you're under the influence of drugs, you can be required to undertake a compulsory impairment test. If you fail the impairment test, then a blood test will be required.

Overview of the 3-stage graduated driver licensing system

The following chart outlines the process for obtaining a motorcycle licence.

Where you can find out more

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Call our driver licensing contact centre: 0800 822 422.
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Palmerston North Office, Private Bag 11777, Palmerston North 4442.

About factsheets

The information in this factsheet is a general guide only. It is not the source of the law.