Access keys for nzta.govt.nz
- h Home
- m Menu
- 0 Show list of access keys
- 2 Skip to content
- 3 Skip to top
This page tells you the process to get your motorcycle restricted licence, and what you need to know about holding a restricted licence.
You must be at least 16½ years old to get your restricted licence.
You must also have held your learner licence for at least 6 months.
To get your restricted licence, you must apply at a driver licensing agent.
List of driver licensing agents
You will need to:
fill out an application form (DL1) [PDF, 171 KB]
present evidence of your identity
prove your eyesight meets the required standard
let the agent take your photo and a signature
pay the restricted licence application fee.
You can then either:
Restricted licence motorcycle test fee
You can book the test online before you go into the agent. If you book online, you'll still need to go to a driver licensing agent before your test to make your application.
If you have completed a CBTA 6R course instead, you don't have to sit a test or pay a test fee.
The restricted licence practical test is a 60 minute test with a testing officer, who will assess whether your riding is good enough to progress to the next level of driver licence.
Restricted licence practical test information
List of LAMS approved motorcycles
Your restricted licence will expire after five years.
You can either:
If you’ve held your restricted licence for long enough and you’re a confident, safe rider, you can apply for your full licence.
Getting your full, if you’re ready, will give you more independence. It shows that you’ve gained even more experience and learnt the skills to become a responsible rider, to help keep everyone safe on our roads.
Note: in November 2019 many restricted licence holders were given an additional two years to move up to their full. This was a one-off extension to their licence expiry dates and further extensions will not be applied to those licences, or to any other existing or new restricted licences.
Information on changes to restricted driver licence expiry dates
If you haven’t got your full before your restricted licence expires, you’ll need to renew your restricted licence if you want to keep riding. You can renew up to 90 days before your expiry date, and you’ll have to sit and pass another theory test. Your restricted licence will be renewed for another five years.
Factsheet 28: Learning to ride – getting your motorcycle licence [PDF, 90 KB]
